Summer Reading

One of the beauties of summer vacation (to me, anyway) is that I can read. Read read read. During the school year I stick to doing crossword puzzles before bed, out of fear I'll stay up until 3 in the morning reading.

This is not exactly a problem during the summer. The only problem was that when I assembled my summer reading list, there were 99 books on the list. Yes. Ninety-nine. Oops.

So far, since school let out in June, I have read...

White Night by Jim Butcher (no. 9 in the Dresden Files series)
Priceless: how I went undercover and rescued the world's stolen treasures by Robert K. Wittman. Wittman used to the sole undercover FBI operative rescuing stolen art around the world. This is a fantastic true story, and one I highly recommend.
Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost! by Cornelia Funke. The first in Funke's Ghosthunters series. It's very cute, very silly, and the illustrations are hysterical.
Small Favor by Jim Butcher (no. 10 in the Dresden Files)
Keys to the Repository by Melissa de la Cruz (a companion novel to her Blue Bloods series)
Changes by Jim Butcher (no. 12 in the Dresden Files). OMG. My jaw dropped with this one. Just when I thought Butcher could not come up with any more twists, turns, and general mayhem ... he proved me wrong. Again. Wow. I'm still in shock. I can't wait until Ghost Story is released in March.

Derby Girl by Shauna Cross. SO AWESOME. Now I want to go to an actual roller derby. And see Whip It. Also - Derby Girl has been renamed Whip It. So you can search for this book under both titles.

Uncle Andy's Cats by James Warhola. Did you know that almost all of Andy Warhol's cats were named Sam? I didn't. This is yet another adorable cute picture book about James Warhola's famous uncle.
Remembering Crystal by Sebastian Loth. I'm surprised I wasn't bawling. This is a very gentle book explaining death. I would say it is appropriate for the toddler-set.
Broker, trader, lawyer, spy: the secret world of corporate espionage by Eamon Javers. Several years ago I read Confessions of an economic hitman, and since then, I've been interested in corporate espionage. Javers traces the history of corporate espionage from the Pinkwater agency to today, tracing ethics, legalities, and types of spy gadgetry.
It's raining cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder. My one problem with this is that I feel the ending was rather abrupt. Then again, I'm not the target age of reader (think 10 to 14 year old girls).
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. This is the steampunk version of Alice in Wonderland --- or, the real story of Alyss Heart.
Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath. I finished this book in one day ... and squee! Loved, loved, loved this! Primrose has hair the colour of carrots in an apricot glaze. Every chapter ends with a recipe, and yay and happiness and squee and joy. This is the written example of what my students refer to as, "Miss F. is spazzing out." I call it the written version of the happy dance, usually performed when a book is super exciting and excellent.

Let the sun shine in

Of course, as I write this, it is well past the witching hour, and I'm in my pajamas.

I just got back from seeing HAIR for the second time, and I'll put it this way: seeing a Broadway show when *not* sick to your stomach is always a good time.

My summer has been absolutely bonkers, and in a good way. Last August I spent the majority of the month on the couch, courtesy of Epstein-Barr. (If anyone knows of a support network, please let me know) This summer, I spend some time on the couch every afternoon ... but it's recovering from ...

...block printing, creating exhibits with my campers, creating scrimshaw, making hornbooks, playing graces or tag outside, decoupaging boxes...

Phew. Looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow! Knitting post soon, I promise.

What I have been doing

Since our last post, the school year has wrapped up, I came down with the flu (not swine!), and happily started my summer vacation. My summer job has not started yet, and while there are no pictures of the knitting...
Steamed crab night. That is not my head.

Roxy Paine installation on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

There should be an update on the wedding afghan in about a week or so ... or at least summer-time pictures. Have a happy Fourth of July everyone!

Incentives

Conversation between my father and I
Dad: "Oh, I know you'll clean the bathroom tonight."
Me: "Because you'll spray me with Windex if I don't?"
Dad (laughing): "Because I'll hide your car keys!"

An actual craft post will occur sometime in the next few days. I have been thoroughly enjoying my week off from both school *and* work. Grad school starts up next week, and there will be grad student orientation.

I personally find orientation a bit hysterical, especially since I spent the majority of my summer taking classes.

The Sabbatical is Over!

So, after many many moons away from the blog, I have returned! Victorious.

Since our last meeting, I have graduated college, and am now attending Graduate School. I work as a Grad Assistant in the University's children's library (serving mostly teachers). So far, I shelve children's books, and look up articles for my co-workers.

I spent the majority of my summer working with children ages six to twelve, and a rotating staff of teenage volunteers. It was amazing. Though some afternoons I would come home exhausted and upset, the experience was worth it. The past two days have been child-free, and as a result, I am very confused as to my place in the world. What does my life mean? I have no child asking for my assistance, no one asking about what's for snack.

It is madness. :)

The picture above is from my ... get this ... historical day camp. I'm the tall chick in the late 18th century clothes, explaining how to dye wool with Kool-Aid to the munchkins.