Happy Easter!

For I remember it is Easter morn,

And life and love and peace are all new born.

***

Alice Freeman Palmer

Spring Saturday

Today ~ I enjoyed a fabulous Easter breakfast playing Easter bunny for my niece. 

Today ~ I spent a full day shopping with my mom and purchasing all too many accessories.  I know I've said my research has shown that they are the new black but I could really use some clothes to wear with them.  I'm not sure jewelry only counts as a new trend.  Though, the mother daughter shopping time was quite fun!

Today ~ I heard that Billie Piper and David Tennant would be back for the 50th anniversary of Who this year...Woohoo!

Today ~ I attempted to get my dad interested in Doctor Who to no avail. I fear he may think I'm even geekier than he had thought.

Today ~ I spent close to 20 minutes lost about 5 minutes from where I've lived my entire life.

Today ~ I traveled back and forth to far too many garden stores searching for Easter flowers for the family.  I know the weather stunk this year, but seriously?!  Where are all the pretty hanging baskets?!

All in all, a fairly fabulous stress-free, spring day before Easter. After all the dreariness of the last few weeks, I think spring has finally decided to make its presence known and I couldn't be happier!

Friday Five

1. This quote from my soon to be 4 year old niece: "We were standing so much, my legs are like crazy right now." ; )

2. This video that appeared on Buzzfeed the other day.  Apparently it was filmed by a college student in response to all the violence against women talk.  It's fantastic and much better than any professional PSA I've ever seen!

3. This article from BookRiot.  How can you not love a bookish article that includes Doctor Who?  It's also got Shakespeare, libraries and Agatha Christie.  Too cool!

4. The next time someone asks why on earth I'd want to move to England, I'll point them in the direction of this article.  I'm sure it absolutely sums up the Brit experience...much more so than that ridiculous book I read last week (sorry to keep harping on that but it was just really bad!)

5. The fashiony section of Pinterest, most especially this Polyvore thing that everyone seems to be pinning.  In my search for an actual fashionable wardrobe, I've found quite a few new ideas, trips and tricks.  Now if I could just find dollars and cents to purchase all the good stuff I find I'd be much happier.

Prepare Ye

Every year, about this time, I get this song stuck in my head on an endless loop.  It has always been a favorite of mine.  The movie is strange, and odd and quintessential 70s but it's a classic in my book.  It's been revived dozens of times since then, but Victor Garber in the original will always be the best!

Road to the Number After 29

In about 1 week I will officially be that number that shall not be named (the one that starts with 3 and ends with 0...yuck!) While I'm not officially looking forward to being that number in the least, I have to admit that the 29th year wasn't so bad.  Some pretty nice things happened.  Nothing astronomical like weddings, or babies, or lottery winnings but it definitely had some high points.  The first of which was finding this new job. 

I didn't expect to like it as much as I do at all.  After all, it's not traveling around the world writing and eating (which just happens to be the dream job) and it  may have halted the move to London plans for a bit but it's wonderful in its own way.  The people are fantastic!  I have a hard time talking to new people and making small talk.  I'm terrible at it and have never really learned that skill.  But in less than  3 months I have friends and an actual clique (uncoolest word ever but the best I can think of). 

The management is like nothing I've ever had before.  I'm not sure if this is everyone or just my boss but he's perfectly understanding and a wonderful person.  Getting to see the epitome of what a terrible boss is makes this experience that much sweeter.  Even the work is becoming slightly more interesting.  It's still work afterall so I'm not saying I'm busting at the gut each morning when the alarm goes off, but knowing that I'll be surrounded by fabulous people, in an easy-going and fun environment, makes it a little easier not to roll right over and go back to sleep.

Are You?

I just don't understand how love and acceptance can ever be a bad thing...

The Ultimate Dinner Party

Over at FoodRiot I wrote about a question friends and I often like to ponder: Who (living or dead, fiction or non-fiction, real or imaginary) would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?  As I said, I most often focus on what to serve this cast of characters and planning the whole shindig than the actual guest list.  But rest assured I do have my own list.  Since it's a wild and crazy topic eliciting all kinds of opinions, lists often get quite long so this is my abbreviated list. (For the record, I don't have a hard copy of this list that some friends carry around with them to intermittently add to and subtract from...just saying)

1. My family members, here and gone, are no brainers.
2. Shakespeare if only to verify that he wrote the works that he's credited with.  I'm a little too invested in this literary mystery.
3. Julia Child, though I think I'd also want her to cater the event.
4. George Clooney, Benedict Cumberbatch and David Tennant: Who wouldn't want to look at them all evening? Serious eye candy...
5. Albert Einstein: From what I hear, he was a pretty cool guy to share a drink with, and there's a rumor that he was quite intelligent so I'm sure dinner conversation would never lull.
6. J.K. Rowling: Anyone who can write a series of books beloved the entire world over and get kids to want to read, can't be a bad person to share a meal with. Oh and she can bring Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore with her.
7. Stephen Fry: He can provide entertainment.  His mind is positively stuffed with all sorts of interesting, fun facts to know and tell and of course, he's hilarious!
8. Dr. Seuss and JRR Tolkien, who would have to bring Frodo, Bilbo, Yertle and Horton with them.
9. Phil Mickelson: I just love the guy, plain and simple.
10. King Arthur, Lancelot, Captain Malcolm Reynolds and The 10th Doctor: Mostly because I have to let the geek flag fly a bit.
11. Jim Henson and every one of his characters including the ones from the Dark Crystal and Labyrinth because seriously?  How could any dinner party not be made better with the addition of furry little monsters?

There you have it.  As you can see, I've spent far too much time thinking about this and hopefully, you will too.

Hindsight

Today I attended a performance of Hairspray at my alma mater.  The cast was spectacular!  But it also got me thinking.  I wish I would have had the guts that these kids had in high school.  They seemed to be having a ball and completely living up high school as they should have been.  I was never that kid in high school.  I kept to myself and got my work done.  So it's days like today that make you think "If only I could do it all again, I'd be different..."

But would they really?  It would be nice to change that part of myself but then again there are other things that I couldn't think of changing.  When I was in high school, I didn't have a license or a car.  How in the world would I deal with not having the freedom to go where I want?  I wouldn't have the money (not that I'm rolling in the dough) that I have now so clothing, books, accessories would have to be run past my bankers first.  Trips abroad couldn't be taken.  And my closest friends, wouldn't have been met yet.

I suppose hindsight is 20/20 afterall.  It would be nice to try to be the outgoing social butterfly again, but maybe, just maybe, I could still do that now...

Geek Confession

The BBC released this little video today and I think I'm in love.  I've never been a fan of Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor (sacreligous, I know, since everyone else is in love with him!) but if he continues to be as adorable as he is in this video, he just might win me over.

Happy Saturday!

Friday Five

1. "The Know It All": After I gave up on the rubbish Brit book I was reading earlier in the week,  I decided I wanted something fun.  While it definitely doesn't sound fun, this author had me laughing out loud on the very first page.  I can't say that I'd ever want to attempt to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica, but it's certainly a ball getting the cliff's notes version from Jacobs.

2. "Neverwhere" on BBC radio: I know I wrote about this the other night, but at that point I'd only listened to one episode.  It just keeps getting better.  I know exactly what's going to happen since I just recently finished the book, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.  Casting for Richard Mayhew was perfect and the background noises and sounds allow you to see pretty much all the action without actually seeing it.  It's just fantastic!

3. My brand new Helly Hansen winter coat: I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that it's almost April and it's dumb to buy a new winter coat when summer (I hope!) is just around the corner.  Well, there are 3 things I must tell you. 1. It's March 22nd and this morning when I woke up it was 28 degrees...what the heck?! 2. I'm going to the UK in October where I'm told it will be cold and wet so a coat made for Sailing is the perfect choice. And 3, when you want a ridiculously expensive coat, it's best to buy one at the end of the season when they're half-off.  Yep, I got a Fan-flipping-tastic deal which makes me love that coat that much more : )

4. "Please Don't Leave Me" by Pink: This song has no real sentimental meaning to me at all.  But I've heard it about 30 times in the last week and it's been stuck in my head the whole time, which wouldn't be so bad if the actual words were up there.  But, instead the only part that I seem to remember is the "da da da da".  Exhibit A: To find the name of the song I just googled "Pink da da da da". 

5.This project which turned out absolutely perfectly for my niece.  I'd been planning to do this for her for months but it finally clicked in my brain last Saturday that Sunday was St. Patty's day.  I'm so happy it turned out and I think she was excited to receive a treat from Leo the Leprechaun!  The only issue I had was finding the chocolate gold coins.  Instead her "golden treasure" was mini gold-wrapper covered Cadbury caramel Easter eggs which really didn't fit the St. Patrick's day theme...

Fabulous Foodie Fun

A few days ago I mentioned that there were exciting foodie things happening here that I couldn't discuss just yet. Well, they happened today and I couldn't be more excited about them!  Today my first foodie post was uploaded to FoodRiot.  Woohoo!  As a contributor, I'll be writing food-related posts for them every other week or so.

The awesome new site  which is due to launch full content on April 9, was devised by the creative geniuses behind BookRiot another fantastic blog for all things bookish.   FoodRiot promises content for every foodie, foodie-wannabe, chef, home-cook and anyone who has ever tasted food and  I for one can't wait to see what they have in store!

Go on over and check them out and if you're so inclined check out my post "Foodie in Training".  Hope you like!

 

And for the record, just in case you were wondering, this is THE coolest (and probably geekiest) way to learn your blog is posted to a really cool site!

Not My Cuppa

I am currently reading a book from a few years ago by a woman that moved to London to marry her husband.  She was a writer for the NY Times and continued writing for them from London, mostly about her newly adopted home.  At first glance this book was going to be perfect.  It had everything I look for: mostly a Union Jack and a cuppa tea on the cover.  Now I don't want to spoil anything and seeing as I'm not past the second chapter, this may not be an entirely un-biased opinion but I'm heartily offended on behalf of my future (I hope!) kinsmen.

For someone who claims to love her husband, her British children and her new home, she certainly hates everything that makes them British.  The entire first chapter is nothing but sweeping generalizations of the entire male population of Great Britain, backed up by a few stories and facts here and there.  The author  brought up claims of abuse in boarding schools (this book was written a few years ago), which have been spreading like wildfire over the last few months, which is a completely valid and terrible epidemic that they are now working out.  But then she follows up that valid point, with making the assumption that every upper-class male student, in every boarding school on the continent, had been abused, which will of course make them all abusers.  The second chapter attempts to explain the parliamentary government of Great Britain that has existed for hundreds of years by ridiculing each and every move the lawmakers make, while not only attacking the system but the members of the system as well.

I know I tend to have an idealized view of England in my head and things are much different when you're immersed in them. I also know that everyone is entitled to their own opinions but the way she approached the whole book is just odd...to me anyway.  Each chapter seems to be a litany of reasons why the way they Brits do something is wrong compared to Americans. Her major problem is stating that these things are wrong rather than different.  If she had grown up in Britain, she'd be quite used to them. It's like moving to Spain and complaining that everyone is constantly speaking Spanish:  ridiculous, close-minded and self-centric.

Makeover Needed...

I've never been one of those girls that spends hours upon hours choosing her outfits meticulously down to the last accessory.  I make sure things match and choose the right jewelry.  I attempt to do clever things with my longish dreadful hair.  And for the most part I don't often have stains (except when I've ordered spaghetti and happen to be wearing white...) But oh my goodness, lately I've decided I need a COMPLETE makeover.  I have tons of clothes in my closet and don't want to wear any of them.  I want to chop all my hair off because it won't do what I want it to.  And I'm contemplating whether or not it's in my budget to hire a personal stylist...

Where are Clinton and Stacy when you need them?

Monday, Monday

I have to say, like most people, I've never been a fan of Mondays.  They just come too quickly after the weekend for my taste.  But every once in a while, good things happen on Mondays and you spend the day walking on sunshine, smiling for no reason and singing to the top of your lungs in the car on your way to work at 6 am when it's still dark outside and freezing.  Today had all the makings of one of those god-awful, cold, wet, dreary, yucky Mondays.  But thanks to a super early alarm this morning, it all turned around quite rapidly.

I was able to purchase the tickets to Richard II in Stratford Upon Avon for October; the tickets that I've been stressing about for the last month as each level of tickets were released. (Seeing as my money doesn't exactly grow on trees, I had to wait until the mere mortal tickets were released after the platinum, silver, gold, alexandrite, tourmaline, kryptonite, etc. levels were available for purchase)  They're by far not the best seats, but seeing as the site crashed twice after I was able to purchase mine, I was down-right lucky to get any at all. The only bad part was having no one at work as early as I was to tell.  Instead I looked like a mental patient to any one I didn't know smiling like the Cheshire cat at a boring computer screen.

Monday, Monday, maybe you're not so bad after all.

Slainte!

 

May your troubles be less,

and your blessings be more

and nothing but happiness

come through your door.

**

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Highlight of a Lazy Saturday

Neverwhere on BBC Radio iPlayer.  The BBC restrict us mere Americans from watching any of their fantastic programming online but luckily, we can listen to their radio shows.  Woohoo!  I had wanted to read Neverwhere specifically because I knew the radio version was coming.  Luckily, I loved the book!  And so far, the radio version, is living up to that very high standard!  My problem with movies, TV and radio based on books, is that they have to cut so much to fit to the time constraints.  That doesn't seem to be the case here.  After the first hour, there may be a few lines or a paragraph here and there that I've noticed missing but that's about it.  All plot points in the first part have been hit to a tee.  It's a fabulous version of this awesome story and I'll be anxiously waiting to listen to the rest!

Friday Five

1. Used book sales: The Smith College Used Book sale to be more precise.  Each year I go in hopes of finding all kinds of deals. So far they've not let me down.  Though this year was particularly good as you can see.  I may have gone slightly overboard.  I may not need to hit another book store until 2014, but I'm certain I won't let that happen. (On an entirely different note, this is about the 5th picture I've seen in my Instagram feed of a stack of books.  I may just have a problem...)

2. Red Nose Day:  Every other year the BBC and Comic Relief put together an entire fundraising event based on "Do Something Funny for Money!" They do a particularly fabulous job of getting the entire UK involved.  Theatres, schools, businesses, stars...they're all joining in the fun.  And it's not just for show.  I read a stat today that this year's campaign has raised over 25 million pounds for hospitals and health care for those less fortunate.  What a fantastic way to give back and I'm super jealous that I'm not currently there joining in the fun. 

I'm also particularly jealous of this super cool Red Nose Day Shakespeare shirt but that's probably just me : )

3.  Having a job that I love!  I'm not sure this has ever happened before.  The people are fabulous and I love getting the chance to chat with and learn from them.  The subject matter is pretty cool (It's not world travel, but it'll do for now).  And the work is actually something I'm good at and completely understand (for the most part that is.  There are some very smart people there and when they get going I tend to get a little lost...)  It's exciting and new and wonderful!

4. This absolutely adorable table courtesy of My Mind's Eye. I've been trying to figure out what to make for my niece for her 4th birthday and this just might be the thing.  I haven't found this nifty tape yet and I've yet to hit the second hand shop to find a table but I have high hopes.  The problem is that there's is so cute, that I worry I will mess it up.  I've always thought my eyes were crooked which accounts for why I couldn't keep a line straight if my life depended on it.  So, there may be mathematical issues in my attempting this fete but I think I may still give it a shot.

5. Thai Food: I tried it for the first time last night and fell in love, particularly with the coconut sticky rice.  Where has that been all my life? But, of course, the spring rolls, fried candy, curry and drunken beef noodles were scrumptious too!

Happy Pi Day!

I've never been such a fan of math.  It's never been my thing and it's most definitely never liked me.  I like to say that if I was to take Calculus in high school, I'd still be there trying to pass.  So Pi day has never been a holiday I've celebrated.  But I was bored last night and I had some spare coconut so I thought I'd give it a shot.
Well, the pie, which can be found here, was delicious and I think everyone liked it as much as I did (at least I hope so)!  But I think my celebration has sealed the deal on my nerdiness.  I'm ok with it though, I seem to be surrounded at work by nerds, as well, so I think I may just belong : )

Habemus Papam

My thoughts on Pope Francis I, for what they're worth.

~He looks a bit like Yogi Berra.

~It's kinda nifty he chose a new name from the list of Saints.  He'll be the First instead of the Sixteenth or Second.

~CBS news should learn that Jorge is pronounced "Hor-hay" not "Hor-gay" before the next conclave.

~I'm happy that the Cardinals chose someone from outside of Europe, considering Latin America has the largest population of Catholics in the world.

~Seeing that most of my guy friends attended the local Jesuit high school, it's also quite exciting to have our first Jesuit Pope ever.

~Every article I've read noted the Vatican was looking for a younger and more involved Pope that would be able to involve more young people in the church. However, it seems the reports were wrong since the Cardinals chose a 76 year old who's known for living quietly and modestly. 

~While he seems like a wonderful person, his assertions that homosexuality, contraception and abortion are wrong in every situation and gay couples adopting is discriminatory towards children, make him just another conservative head of church.  What the church needed was someone to lead them towards the 21st century.  Unfortunately, I think we'll be in the same situation we are in now, for a bit longer.

Black Smoke - No Pope

I'm not entirely sure why but I happen to LOVE this headline I found on Facebook earlier.  It sums up this whole crazy process perfectly succinctly.  That being said, I'm a little too obsessed with following the craziness of this papal conclave.  The last time this happened, I was completely and utterly confused by the whole shabang.  You'd think after 13 years of Catholic school, I would have learned at least the name for the Pope-Idol process that happens when the Pope passes away.

But in all that time, I never heard the words Papal Conclave, let alone what happens during the super secret ceremonies.  So I relied on the media to tell me what the heck was going on.  I have to say, it was not the best plan. Because, as it turns out I still have no idea. I'm just as clueless 7 years later as I was for Pope Benedict's "inauguration." (I'm certain that's the wrong word, but like I said I'm clueless...)For instance, I've been under the delusion that the papal candidate had to be at least 75 but as it turns out one of the dudes in the running is 68 and apparently quite the fan of Twitter so you see, he's a perfect leadership candidate...

All I have to say about the whole thing is this.  Maybe if the Cardinals and the Vatican were less concerned with perfecting and steadfastly following a process that was developed hundreds of years ago and more focused on real changes that need to be made within the church such as allowing priests to marry, "legalizing" birth control and gay marriage, and most importantly treating the victims of sex abuse with the respect they deserve, then maybe the Catholic church wouldn't be in the predicament they're in in the 21st century.

That being said, I'd really like the below to be true.  It actually makes much more sense than colored smoke and super secret rituals.  At least this way, we'd stand a chance of finally seeing a progressive take office.

Just Another Day...

Today, somehow, I woke up without the aid of my alarm at the precise time I needed to get up. 
 
Today this made me laugh; probably a bit more than it should have.

Today I'm desperately waiting for the second episode of Broadchurch to be uploaded online.  I mean, technically it aired 7 hours ago in England.  And honestly, it's 4 am there, they could take the time to upload it right now.  Who needs sleep? : )

Today I read an entire book about the power of infographics.  Said book had all kinds of fun free resources that are found online for creating them yourself.  Now if I could just figure out what to graphically represent, I'd be all set.

Today I bought one pair of jeans and got the second pair free.  Sweet!

Today I walked the entire length of my very long building 4 times round trip.  Where was my pedometer when I needed it?

Today flew right on by.  If only all Mondays were this easy.

Foodie Thoughts for the Day

There are exciting foodie things happening in this neck of the woods but they are not to be shared just yet - hopefully later this week, the fun will be revealed.  But until then, here are my foodie thoughts for the day.

"Eat Fearlessly" ~Rick Steves: Though his show is a little nerdy for my taste (but really who am I to talk?) I loved this idea.  I've been trying to think of a way to say I want to try eating my way around the world and this is the perfect way to say it. 

"The only time to eat diet food is when you're waiting for the steak to cook." ~Julia Child: I wholly agree with this sentiment.  Even if you are dieting, you don't have to settle for that awful pre-packaged full of nitrates and artificial stuff diet food.  You can always cook healthy using fresh fruits, veggies and proteins.  That form of cooking, while a bit more difficult, will always be yummier!  And if you aren't dieting, steak is always the answer!

Theatre Etiquette

After seeing the fabulous Rock and Roll Revival this evening at SPHS, I'd like to take a few minutes to discuss theatre etiquette.  It seems I've taken it for granted that most people know how to act while seeing a show.  It seems they don't. So for those of you that may be confused, when sitting in the audience, don't:

1. Hold up signs over your head and block the view of everyone behind you.  Your fellow audience members will want to throttle you with that sign.

2. Light a lighter and pretend it's 1986 again.  There are new rules and that's now illegal.

3. Take your shoes off and massage your feet.  No one wants to see your fancy socks.

4. Play with/Comb/Braid the hair of every girl in your circle.  It's not a beauty salon!

5. Take pictures with your phone of those on stage, then show them to everyone around you.  We saw them live.  Why do we need to see pictures?  As a follow up, don't facebook/tweet/email those same pictures.  While it's dark, it's often hard to focus while your phone is shining away!

6. Take your sweater on and off 52 times in the course of a 2 hour show.  You standing up and taking it over your head blocks our view...again!

This concludes this public safety announcement.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Friday Five

1. Eudaimonia: I came across this word in an article this week. I'm assuming most people are like me and have never heard the word used before.  Apparently it means "contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous" which is just a lovely definition.  The weird part is that for such a fabulous definition, you'd think the word itself would be more elegant.  As it stands, it sounds like some terrible disease one gets from climbing through jungles.  But it's a lovely thought nonetheless.

2. I've just finished my 4th book in the 44 Scotland series by Alexander McCall Smith. In the book Domenica quotes Auden as saying "If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving be me." I just loved the quote.  It's beautiful and so lovey-dovey.  I'm such a sap!

3. "Broadchurch": Technically I shouldn't have seen this since it's airing in Britain first before it comes here but thank goodness for the Internet.  It's basically a British version of "The Killing" which I've never seen but heard was fabulous.  The murder mystery plot  catches you from the first few minutes and the secrets are just aggravating enough to keep you watching.  I'm already dying to know why DI Hardy is so touchy about an old case or why the vicar looked so worried and I'm only one episode in.  Hoping upon hope the next 7 will show up online because  I'm not sure I can stay away from spoilers until it gets here.

4. Changing the clocks.  I know this hasn't technically occurred yet, but it means that spring is right around the corner.  I'm not sure about you, but I'm about done with gray days.  I'm ready for some sun and flowers and color!

5. Republic of Tea's British Breakfast Tea: My current obsession.  Some people crave Starbucks mocha-chino-latte things, I crave this boring old tea.  So far the only place I've been able to find it is at Panera.  But I've been keeping my eye out for it.  It's good stuff!

Crafty Failure

These are the super cute mugs I spent 2 hours creating this evening.  These are the super-cute mugs that I crafted using sharpies, just the same as I did last weekend on the little bowl.  Well apparently, the super cute mugs will never be used because my sharpie technique is not as fool-proof as originally thought.  After taking them from the oven where they baked at 350 for 30 minutes, I was able to wipe the stars right off with my finger.  But you say, the little bowl worked perfectly last weekend.  Yes I thought so too, until I grabbed it today and tried to rub a bit off, and surprise, surprise, the stars just disappear!  Dude, Seriously?! I'm quite perturbed to say the least. 

Any one need any Sharpies?  I've just bought handfuls thinking they were a sound investment for my new hobby...

Snow Day Bust

Based on every news report yesterday, we were in for quite a storm.  I had visions of a nice relaxing snowday home and warm.  At 3:30 this morning when I woke up and it was raining, I was slightly grumpy.  But I had high hopes, that if I made the trek into work, which was to be quite easy since every school system and all government agencies closed, that I would at least have a half day since it was going to start snowing mid-morning.  Unfortunately, that was never to be.  Because it NEVER started snowing.  There were a few flakes here and there but zippo snow laid and I still worked a full day.  Epic fail!

Travel Tech

I will admit to often being behind the times in terms of technology.  I can usually figure things out eventually, but I'm not often quick on the uptake.  Exhibit A: I've just realized the awesomeness of Twitter.  I'm still slightly skeptical that people care what we are all doing 24/7.  However, I'm in love with its other uses.

It's now possible to follow cities, and whole countries on Twitter.  How amazing is that?  I've been following Scotland, Great Britain, and Edinburgh.  Each day, they post pictures of beautiful places and ideas for trip destinations.  After just a few weeks, my trip to GBR in the fall has gotten quite busy.  Following the Frugal Traveler and Guardian Travel is also really helpful for getting the goods on travel deals and tips and tricks.

It's sometimes seriously fabulous to live in the 21st century.  I can't imagine trying to plan a trip without the countless resources I've found online.  Of course, there is a downside.  I'm just a little, ok WAY, too excited by what I'm seeing, so the wait is slightly killing me!

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

~Joe Flacco signed this week for 120 million dollars over the next 6 years.  While I'm happy the Ravens kept him, I have a whole list of reasons why this is incredibly wrong.  He's not worth that much money.  More to the point, no one is worth that much money.  It's obscene that a 28 year old is earning so much for doing no more than throwing a football while others his age are fighting for our country.  Also, I think it was greedy to hold out for that much money.  The NFL has a cap, and since the Ravens are now paying Flacco so much, they're in danger of not being able to afford some pretty amazing players.  What good is this "elite" QB if he has no one to throw the ball to?

~The highest ranking Cardinal in the Archdiocese of Scotland has resigned and has admitted to unfortunate conduct.  I'm happy that this has finally come to light, and he's being held accountable.  However, how can something like this go on for so long without the church becoming suspicious?  What's amazing is the amount of writers that are attacking the priests that tipped the Vatican off to the behavior.  These men were preyed on by this Cardinal and they're the ones that are being abused by the press.  Thank goodness their names are being withheld. I'm not sure much will change under a new pope, but I think the Vatican is finally realizing that something must be done.  There are far too many coverups and far too many people being hurt.

~The UK pound has fallen below $1.50 for the first time in years.  While this is not a good sign for their economy, it's quite a positive sign for my trip there this fall.  I may just have to exchange some dollars for pounds now while the getting is good.

~Maryland may receive "significant" snowfall on Wednesday of this week.  I'm usually all for snow but seriously, it's March!  I'm done with the winter doldrums.  I need sunshine and birds chirping and flowers blooming, not salt trucks, wind gusts and shoveling.

~And finally some good news (although, I suppose if you're Joe Flacco, you've already had your good news...) a Mississippi toddler has apparently been cured of HIV 2 years after she was born with the disease.  I'm not sure the specifics, but how unbelievable is that?!  What a win!  These are the types of projects $120 million should be thrown at.  A few more million for researchers could mean the discovery of a the cure for HIV/AIDS.  Isn't that a little more impressive (and not to mention needed) than a perfect spiral?

Feeling Crafty

I found this (3 & 5 on the list) a few months ago on Pinterest and really wanted to give them a try.  I thought they'd make perfect Christmas gifts but as you can see that didn't quite work out.  I think I was mostly skeptical that it wouldn't work.  Drawing on ceramic with a marker and hoping it wouldn't rub off seemed unlikely, not to mention throwing dollar store mugs in the oven and hoping they wouldn't explode into a million pieces seemed risky.  Well, apparently I was wrong and they worked perfectly.  Too cute even with my very limited free-hand abilities! 

Boggles the Mind

I'm sure everyone has those things that they will never quite comprehend.  These are the things that make my head hurt each time I try to contemplate them.  I'm sure there are loads more but these are the ones that I've run into just this week...

1.  3D printing: While very cool, the complexities are way over my head.  How do you scan something?  How do you "fill" it with "ink"?  Why would one need to 3D print something?  Then it gets even crazier and more confusing when they start discussing cell printing to print organs...

2. Stocks: I've never been able to comprehend the stock market or stocks, or what a stock broker even does besides drink lots of coffee and scream on the phone a lot (that is if bad 90s movies are to be believed).  I've tried.  I've googled and listened but have never quite understood how people make ore lose money on them and what makes the Nasdaq and those other crazy stock-ish things go up and down each day.

3.  Flight tables: How is a flight leaving from Baltimore, flying to London with a layover in Houston, economical?  Also, how is a flight with 3 stops more expensive than a straight one?

4. How is Great Britain, so much better with keeping a lid on things than we are?  It seems the Brits are much better at keeping low profiles.  I read a casting notice on a new show just this week. It was due to start filming that day and they were just announcing the big stars.  If that was here, I'm sure we would have heard about it months and months ago.  This goes for salaries as well.  Here we all seem to know how much each person makes for starring in a movie or running the country.  But I haven't the foggiest how much their politicians and actors make which just seems much more seemly somehow.

5. How are teachers, servicemen and women, and charity workers paid significantly less than those that can throw a football or hit a baseball?

Friday Five

1. "Behind Photographs": This is a new project by Tim Mantoani that I originally read about on BuzzFeed (that darn site, while ridiculous, is addictive).  He's photographing photographers with their most famous works.  The photos are beautiful and it's such a clever idea.  How often do you get to see the creatives behind the camera?

2. Red Nose Day 2013: In my dream world; the one where I'm living in Notting Hill with my Scottish husband and our twin cuties, I work for this fabulous charity as Director of Learning and Development (my dreams are nothing if not specific).  I love their motto (Do something funny for money!).  I love the work they do.  I love the people involved.  And I love how they seem to get everyone in Britain involved.  It's truly awesome work for a really important cause.

3. Edinburgh Spotlight on Twitter: They post lots of beautiful pics of the city which are making me more and more excited about my trip.

4. This article (I use the word "article" loosely...) from BuzzFeed (I told you I was slightly addicted) on the difference between college and grad school.  I promise you that the undergrad stuff wasn't me but the grad school stuff most definitely was.  And the addition of David Tennant as the Doctor to illustrate the point, makes it that much funnier : ) 

5. Codeacademy: I've decided that since I work in and among the brainy peeps who discuss all types of high-level computery stuff that makes no sense to me whatsoever, I should probably at least give learning a few things a try.  This site teaches you how to code for free using exercises.  I haven't gotten too far yet, but I'm liking it.