see katy write

Peace, Blogger!

2009-07-09T00:33:00.003-05:00

My new blog is up a couple days earlier than anticipated! It's still a little bare, but feel free to hop over there, which is where I'll be from now on. I'll leave this account up for a couple weeks so I can archive some of the more meaningful entries (and my linked clips), but you won't see any new content here starting tomorrow.

Thanks for hanging with me, and I'll see you at my new digs!

Edit: Yeah, totally had to change the headline. Bloglines? Seriously? I can't keep all these sites straight. I did, however, bid adieu to Bloglines in favor of Google Reader - so far, so good!

An update

2009-07-08T00:41:00.003-05:00

Anxiety. I haz it. In spaaaades. Please forgive such a length of time since my last post, but in the midst of finishing the book, and lots of freelance projects, and, oh, the day job, plus a teeny dash o' wedding planning, I'm also overhauling my blog to blend more seamlessly with my career and social pursuits. More soon, I promise -- new site is live but empty, so I don't want to publish link just yet. You could maybe find me on Twitter -- nothing there yet, either, but feel free to follow and enjoy that fleeting early-bird feeling. (Note: Current Twitter account not going anywhere. New one ties directly in with blog. Consider it a dual-edged, slightly more complicated form of self-branding.)

Back this weekend, at the latest. See that? There's another one. Self-imposed. "I got 99 problems" and they're all deadlines and in the immortal words of one of my favorite local bloggers, deadlines ARE b*tches!

Word.

Loft sweet loft

2009-05-28T22:33:00.002-05:00

We're here!

Thanks to some unexpected (and happy!) circumstances, R. and I made the move to the River Market faster than anticipated. And now we officially live in a loft complete with brick walls, exposed ductwork, hardwood floors and sleek lighting that makes me feel like I'm on stage performing instead of standing at my kitchen counter doing mundane things like husking corn or scrubbing pots.

And how'd I forget to mention the view? The. View. Facing east over Delaware--river on one side, lofts and a street shot on the other. Glorious. I really did love the Northland, but something about this place makes me feel like I'm back in civilization. Plus, I have a kick-ass neighbor!

Pics to come soon so you, too, can revel in our real estate glory.

I need a bigger plate

2009-05-19T21:53:00.003-05:00

Some might call this post silly because I am, admittedly, one of the most random and sporadic bloggers in cyberspace. I know. I'm working on it.

But just so you know - there's a lot on my plate. Like, I've been to a Las Vegas hotel buffet and I really need a small trough to hold everything. On the agenda:

a) Moving!!!! (Exclaimed with equal parts joy and dread. Boxing up two years of one's life - fail. Entering into a pristine and coveted new space that's filled with possibility - win. It's a draw.)

b) Deadlines ... alllll the time. LV Mag copy for the full-time job, various articles for freelance clients and, of course,

c) The Book. We are in official crunch time, people. T-minus 72 days and counting. Starting this week, I'll be meeting two-week benchmarks established by my editor, so basically I'll literally be eating, sleeping and breathing Kansas City.

After all this, I'm thinking wedding planning is going to be a walk in the park. With cupcakes. And fresh-squeezed lemonade.

Wisdom in two words

2009-05-16T16:39:00.001-05:00

Funerals suck.

That just happened!

2009-05-12T16:17:00.004-05:00

Image courtesy poohx.blogspot.com/2009/01/fashion-icons.html

Setting: Sonic drive-through, Leavenworth

I pull to the window to pick up my small Diet Coke.

Perky Sonic Employee: Hello! That will be $1.07!

Me (hands over money): Thank you!

Perky Sonic Employee: Has anyone ever told you you look like Twiggy?

Me *thinking*: Is this girl on crack? Twiggy after 20 Hardee's Thickburgers, maybe?

Perky Sonic Employee: Yeah, Twiggy -- I know! It's your eyelashes!

Me: Well, thanks! That's so sweet! Have a great day!

That's right. I look like Twiggy. In the EYELASHES. Must be my Stila mascara!

Inside an author's mind

2009-05-08T14:56:00.004-05:00

I had bookmarked this article from one of my most favorite blogs EVER, and in true Katy fashion, completely forgot to finish reading. Today my memory finally triumphed, and thought I'd share with you a few thoughts from a favorite author.

Link love: How I get through the day

2009-04-27T23:40:00.003-05:00

Time for some much-deserved shout-outs. To kick off what will become a regular series, here's some link love for the sites/programs/apps that get me through the day.

*The best web browser in the whole. wide. world. 'Nuff said.

*Commercial-free, customizable radio. I call it KATY-FM; you may know it by another name.

*Vast time warp number one and two. Am I addicted? Ha. I'm expecting the Intervention crew to appear at any moment. And FYI: this Twitter aggregator gets my top vote.

*A little archaic? Sure. Still one of my top five daily visited sites? You bet. I heart blogs.

*When inquiring minds want to know, is there really another option? Nope.

*With this as a brain back-up, even the best elephant will yearn for an added memory boost.

*Because smart never goes out of style, staying informed is a must: county, city, nation, world, media.

Check back next Monday for more link goodness, and in the meantime, let me know your daily must-clicks.

Too many thoughts, too little time

2009-04-21T22:00:00.004-05:00

Does anyone have a spare Pensieve I could borrow?

Confession: I get freaked out when I don't blog regularly. It's like I have a little blog voice in my head that whispers to me to write, write, write.

Surprisingly, it's often not a lack of information that keeps me silent. Rather, it's an overload of thoughts or projects that temporarily silence me as I attempt to bring order to my life. I'm rereading some of the Harry Potter books right now, and find myself desperately wishing for my very own Pensieve that could help quiet the storm in my brain.

Recent thoughts include:
*Moving! R. and I will soon be residents of the River Market and neighbors of the lovely D. and her significant other. I haaaaate moving but I love the clean slate feeling that comes with a new space. I've been scouring West Elm, CB2 and numerous home design blogs for loft-appropriate decoration and storage ideas.

*Writing/career. Lots, lots, lots on my plate. Full-time magazine work, freelance projects and The Book. It makes for looong yet fulfilled days, but I am missing the feeling of actual weekends. Something tells me I need a helpful dose of time management.

*Money. The aforementioned freelance work has left me with a hefty tax bill and a continued need to budget. Always hard for someone like me with Dom Perignon tastes, but I prefer to focus on how much it will pay off down the road. And luckily, my better half is also better with numbers and the green stuff. He's about to take on a part-time job as my financial advisor!

*Everything happens for a reason . . .? A close friend, married to one of my best friends, recently suffered a horrendous and untimely tragedy when his younger brother lost a hard-fought battle against Hodgkins lymphoma. After an emotional and draining week, you have to wonder about the purpose behind something so terrible. I've found myself extra contemplative and increasingly spiritual in the last week--I suppose it's a way to try and make some sort of sense out of what happened.

I've had so much crowding my head lately that I've been tempted to break out my journal. I can't expect to bore you with EVERYTHING I think about (like which facial cleanser to buy, for example. It's a time-consuming, research-intensive process.)

More soon, including a possible open letter to my least favorite Biggest Loser contestant of ALL TIME. I'm still angry after tonight's episode.

Woe is my bank account

2009-03-27T14:54:00.002-05:00

I'm firmly convinced that my favorite retailers know when I'm broke ... and choose that time to send me all kinds of enticing, tempting, amazing, one-time-only coupons.

And so it is with a heavy heart that I click "delete." It's tough to be a shopaholic with no money.

In other news, it appears we may be buried under a spring snowstorm. Reactions on snowpocalypse are mixed, as our meteorologists don't have the best reputation for predicting severe weather. Nevertheless, my kitchen is stocked, I have a new stack of books from the library and maybe, just maybe, I'll be caught up on my laundry by Sunday.

'Tis an exciting life I lead!

Genie in a bottle

2009-03-16T14:42:00.002-05:00

Perhaps I'd be more excited if these worked for my body type.

Then again, no. I don't accessorize with magic carpets or burnished lamps that disguise a genie's pint-sized living quarters.

Next trend, please!

Book memes = love

2009-03-16T10:36:00.003-05:00

Thanks to my incredibly well-read friend, I present to you another book-related meme. Enjoy, and don't forget to fill one out for yourself!

1. Which book has been on your shelves the longest?
A French translation of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" that my mom bought me at an antiques store in Michigan several years ago. Sadly, my book collection tends to prune itself each time I move (about every two years) but I'm hoping to end that streak with our upcoming move in May.

2. What is your current read, your last read and the book you’ll read next?
Current Read: None - just finished one last night.
Last Read: "A Homemade Life" by Molly Wizenberg (FABULOUS!)
Next Book: "Empire Falls" by Richard Russo

3. What book did everyone like and you hated?
"Wicked." I wanted to like it, I really did, but I found it so terribly confusing.

4. Which book do you keep telling yourself you’ll read, but you probably won’t?
I always tell myself that I want to read more of the "classics," but some of them are super dull. I have yet to make my way through "1,001 Books To Read Before You Die," and I can tell you that some on that list are going to be sheer torture. Maybe I should make my own list instead, because they left out a lot of 21st century literary gems, IMO.

5. Which book are you saving for “retirement?”
I read too quickly to save any books. Some will get relegated to a "read later" pile if I pick up one I'm more interested in. Right now, the book I'm dying to get my hands on is "The Women" by T.C. Boyle. I have a sudden fascination with the life of Frank Lloyd Wright.

6. Last page: read it first or wait till the end?
NEVER read the last page first! What's the point??

7. Acknowledgements: waste of ink and paper or interesting aside?
I read them more now that I'm actually writing a book.

8. Which book character would you switch places with?
Without a doubt, Hermione Granger. I'd love to be a frighteningly intelligent witch.

9. Do you have a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time)?
Too many to list, but I'll give you some highlights: The first four Harry Potter novels will be inextricably linked to my college years; "Harriet the Spy" was one of the anthems of my childhood, and I will forever remember the date, time, lighting, emotions and all sensations involved with reading the final page in the last Harry Potter book, "Deathly Hallows." I was a mess!!

10. Name a book you acquired in some interesting way.
I've scored numerous bestsellers and a couple of manuscripts from the Kansas City Star's book sale, which is a magical event.

11. Have you ever given away a book for a special reason to a special person?
No specific situations come to mind -- I'm always happy to loan books, and when I give a book as a gift, I try extra hard to make sure it fits the recipient. I miss buying books for my grandpa -- he was a local and regional history buff, and he was always happy to read what I bought him.

12. Which book has been with you to the most places?
I typically bring new books with me when I travel, but I usually have my journal (that counts as a personal book, right?)

13. Any “required reading” you hated in high school that wasn’t so bad ten years later?
I absolutely despised Toni Morrison's "The Beloved" and can't bring myself to re-read it. Most other reading assignments were wonderful; Dante's "Inferno" and Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" count as two favorites.

14. What is the strangest item you’ve ever found in a book?
Notes from past readers, but those were more likely found in textbooks.

15. Used or brand new?
I'm a little addicted to the shiny newness of books, but I love older ones because of how they smell.

16. Stephen King: Literary genius or opiate of the masses?
I'm not qualified to say. He's never made it on my literary radar.

17. Have you ever seen a movie you liked better than the book?
"The Shining"

18. Conversely, which book should NEVER have been introduced to celluloid?
"Confessions of a Shopaholic." Worst. Movie. Adaptation. EVER.

19. Who is the person whose book advice you’ll always take?
Although we have different tastes in reading (most of the time), Rob's learned what I like and now makes excellent recommendations, the most recent of which was a wrestling autobiography that I thoroughly enjoyed. I will also follow any suggestions made by my stepmom, who is also an avid reader.

Running in heels? More like walking!

2009-03-10T22:59:00.003-05:00

I met the debut of Marie Claire's new reality show with a high degree of enthusiasm. EIC Joanna Coles has stood out to me since her hiring, although I'm starting to disagree with some of the layout and editorial changes that are continually being made to the magazine. But because the show follows a simple equation (stylish girls + NYC + magazine publishing = Katy's kryptonite), I thought for sure I'd be in for a treat.

Not.

Two episodes in, and I'm already disappointed. The girls are vacuous, inept and overly catty. I know it's television, and I can feel the manipulatively maniacal hands of the producers lurking behind the scenes. But when you're treated to a glimpse into the world of a major glossy, you hope for more reality.

My favorite moment from episode 2 occurred when one of the interns (they're still nameless entities to me) analyzes the verbal beating they received after presenting trend page mock-ups to Joanna.

Intern: "Wow. I didn't realize she'd be so intense."

Really? How can you become the EIC of a national magazine and be anything BUT intense? In fact, worshipping media icons like Joanna, Cathie Black and Deborah Needleman makes me realize I'm waaaay too nice and complacent to survive in the cut-throat publishing world--at least at the national level.

Then again, my inner commentary during the show makes me think that I might just make it, after all. Guess I have to practice running in heels first.

What I've done today

2009-02-18T14:51:00.003-06:00

*Wrote about the debut of a new shelter title. In this economy? Ha!

*Researched and wrote my weekly historical installment for Leavenworth's local newspaper. This week's topic? Famous visitors to the Leav.

*Beefed up my profile and sent out some invites to an amazing web 2.0 resource for journalists. Oh, and I'm trying to win a Macbook or a trip to a really cool conference.

*Reconnected with a former Star co-worker over lunch.

*Brainstormed about the best way to get from Leavenworth to 91st and Nall in Johnson County ... and which coffeeshop could I hit up on the way? This one's my fav, but I'll take other recommendations!

*Tweet, tweet, tweet!

Now I'm off to celebrate the birthday of the Mama Dee with some Mexican deliciousness. I'll be counting chips, though. Gotta make my three-pound goal for this week!

Let's get physical!

2009-02-17T13:57:00.003-06:00

Those of you who hear me complain regularly, both in person and on Facebook, know that I've started personal training sessions with the lovely and talented Cherryh Butler. The weekly meetings are, in fact, an incredibly generous wedding gift from my own personal fitness idol.

So it's a no-brainer, then, to assume that the sweat, blood and tears are being channeled into making me the buffest, baddest-ass bride ever. Sure, that's a primary goal. But I need shorter-term gratification while huffing and puffing through mountain climbers, planks, and other assorted torture devices masquerading as exercises.

Things I think about during my workouts include:
*Beyonce. She's one of my girl crushes and ultimate idols, along with ScarJo, Nicole from PCD and WWE's reigning diva, Lilian Garcia.

*Swimming. It never fails. When I sweat, I think about jumping into a huge pool. Refreshing!

*Clothes, clothes, clothes. As I've grown older, I've tried to embrace a healthy lifestyle instead of only losing weight to fit into certain things. But, come on -- it's one of the best benefits. I'm working toward this little number right now -- I think I could rock this with some good jeans and a simple necklace.

And, of course, my upcoming nuptials. Dress shopping, shoe shopping, accessory shopping, oh my! The bigger the biceps, the more bags I can carry :)

So far I'm down 7 pounds and am gaining muscle by the week. I'll keep you posted, and feel free to let me know your own fitness motivators.

Shameless self-promotion . . .

2009-02-12T22:07:00.004-06:00

. . . or the blog in which I share some thrilling career news with you!

I've been hinting (rather maddeningly, I confess) to some possible career news throughout the last few months, and I can finally and proudly announce that I will be a published book author!!!

I'm writing a KC guidebook for the Moon Handbook series, a division of Avalon Travel. I am so terribly and incredibly excited about this, and so proud to be able to shine a much-deserved spotlight on my beloved Kansas City.

It'll be an interesting balance of work, as I have to get cracking right away. But I'm thrilled to get started, and to see where this takes me. I'll post more as I go, and will let you know an anticipated publishing date when I have it. I'm estimating some time in the first half of next year.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! And with that, I'm out!

The things we do for love

2009-02-12T12:26:00.003-06:00

Confession time.

Throughout most of my life, I've been anti-Valentine's Day (I just don't understand it, and as I told a friend earlier this week, it's not like I NEED an excuse to eat chocolate.)

In fact, V-Day kinda sorta pisses me off. In elementary school, it's great. Everyone has to make valentines for each other -- happy day. Then in junior high and high school, it's a big giant heart-wrenching spectacle to see who gets flowers, or balloons, or candy, or other sugary, sappy, lace-covered gifts that scream "I LOVE YOU SO MUCH I SPENT $40 AT THE GERBES FLOWER DEPT!" (Anyone else grow up with Gerbes grocery stores? No? Never mind.) Suffice it to say that for all but one year in high school, I was a member of the forlorn group that scuttled quickly through the halls, our lockers free of pink and red adornments, our hands sweatily clutching our books instead of a drooping bouquet of half-closed roses.

Anyways. I digress. For the last two Valentine's Days, Rob and I have celebrated with handmade gifts. Through my rose-colored glasses (har, har, pun intended!), it's a fitting compromise. "I love you, but I don't have to spend a bunch of money to tell you that, so I'm sort of protesting the commercialism of this odd holiday."

This year, I've been given the Ultimate Challenge. I'm creating a comic for Rob, based on . . . well, I don't know what it's about yet. Probably us. But I'm freaking out a little. This will be a huge test for my writing repertoire, and you don't want to even know about my draw-ring skills. It ain't gonna be pretty, folks. Two words: Stick people! But it's the thought that counts, right?

Time to go cram with the help of this handy-dandy tutorial. And by the way, if any respectable comic creators or illustrators happen by this blog, please don't judge. I have no hopes of injecting myself into the comic industry, unless it's in the form of a collabo w/ my beloved. And even then, I'll make him do most of the work! Now THAT'S true love!

Weekend recap!

2009-02-09T13:40:00.004-06:00

While playing airport chauffeur on Saturday, I broke down and accompanied Dana to the aforementioned mecca -- and yes, it's everything I hoped it would be and more. It's also within walking distance of my apartment, so this will be a supreme test of my financial willpower in the coming months.

Saturday night, we headed south of the border (to Johnson County, of course!) and celebrated Jamie's birthday, fiesta style! Thanks to Meghann for the gnarly mustaches, courtesy of a pre-fiesta stop at a local party store.

That's yours truly on the right, accompanied by the birthday girl. I'm practicing my best Don Juanita come hither stare. It's working, right?

Sunday found R. & I in a haze of post-party sleep. Not waking up until 11:30 puts a dent in the day, so I can't report much. The afternoon passed in the haze of a Biggest Loser Season 4 marathon, followed by the Grammys, always entertaining yet perpetually a failure at honoring those who actually deserve merit.

Photo courtesy of The Daily Contributor

The hero of the night? M.I.A. If I looked this good and could rock out with the Rap Pack on the day I'm due to give birth, you best believe I'd be up there, too.

Until my next post, kick back, relax and dream of your next vacation with this bit of hilarity courtesy of my favorite SNL cast members. 'Scuse me while I grab my flippy floppys, and I'll meet you ON A BOAT!

A fitting farewell

2009-02-06T21:54:00.003-06:00

Well, if my favorite magazine has to close, then I'm happy it's getting the send off it deserves. And a thank you to the lovely Dana for the heads-up on the article.

Let them eat cake!

2009-02-03T23:59:00.003-06:00

Note: An accompanying picture will be posted later today.

Add this to your "That Just Happened" file, lovely readers.

Scene: Leawood Town Center AMC 20, lobby, post-premiere of "He's Just Not That Into You."
A group of 8 friends and I are gathered to rehash the movie and ogle the delicious cake I won from Dragonfly Bakery 'cuz I'm engaged and I danced in front of an entire theater while dropping the gem "He IS just that into me!" True story.

Small talk ensues. Numerous passers-by stop to comment on the cake, iced with the "HJNTIY" gem "No answer is your answer." An older "gentleman" approaches.
Random dude: That cake looks great! How is it?
Me: I don't know! I haven't tasted it yet.
Random dude peers into box.
RD: Is that icing or fondant?
Me (smiling the "You're an idiot" smile): I have no idea.
Without warning, RD swoops two fingers into the end of the heart-shaped cake, obliterating it into a pile of crushed cake-icing hybrid that he proceeds to stuff in his mouth.
Me, staring, mouth open, unsure of what to do. Laughter builds from the friends who have witnessed the insanity.
RD: What? What's so funny? Why are people laughing?
Meghann (in a voice that is equal parts authoritative, disgusted and shocked): SIR!
RD leaves, licking his fingers.
Laughter reaches several decibels as reality sets in. I start to hop around, cake box in hand, avoiding the pee that is threatening to escape my Diet Coke-soaked bladder.

PSA: For your future cake needs, please consider Dragonfly Bakery. Not only are they connoisseurs of fluffy cake laced with raspberry filling and coated with deliciously sugary icing, but they make cakes so good that RANDOM STRANGERS STICK THEIR HANDS INTO THEM!

A grassroots effort

2009-02-03T09:20:00.002-06:00

Some talented and enterprising bloggers have hit the keyboards in an attempt to save a beloved magazine.

Eulogy of a brewpub

2009-02-02T20:59:00.003-06:00

A cursory check of the Star's evening headlines left me saddened after reading about the demise of one of my favorite local restaurants.

Sadly, restaurant and retail closings (just like magazine shut-downs) are becoming an increasingly common by-product of a viciously insatiable recession. Yet I felt the need to write a few words about RMB, because aside from offering one of the best hamburgers I've had the privilege of sinking my teeth into, it holds one of my favorite Ryox* memories.

Flash back three years to a cold - no, scratch that - FRIGID winter's day. Jamie and I bundled up and headed down to a River Market packed with hopefuls vying for a coveted spot on America's favorite reality show (well, it's my favorite reality show. And right now, on my blog, I count as 'America'!)

The line snaked around the block surrounding the brewery, and for more than eight hours, Jamie and I stood shivering, making small talk with other prospective contestants. (Ben from the music conservatory at UMKC, I don't know where you are but I hope you're doing well and I regret not exchanging e-mail addresses with you!) Finally, just as my nose hairs were beginning to freeze and break off, we made it To Mecca -- a.k.a. the interior of the brewery.

(Side note: I couldn't help but think that it was kind of cruel to hold Biggest Loser tryouts in a brewery full of the smells of onion rings, hamburgers, nachos and other calorically intoxicating treats. I'm sure the restaurant's owners were doing a jig in the back, thinking of all the business they'd make off the starving and frozen fatties desperate to consummate their new friendships with plates of grease-covered awesomeness.)

So we gathered around in a circle in groups of 12-15. Jamie and I had assessed our competition, and we were ready. The interviewer proceeded with a few questions -- "What's your goal weight?" "Why do you want to be on the show?" The other earnest hopefuls didn't have a chance. Jamie and I charmed and sparkled with our witty repartee, our sincere honesty, and our wholesome Midwestern approachability. In fact, we even noticed the interviewer scribbling notes on our applications.

We left RMB in a haze of ecstatic glee, sure that we would receive a phone call (before 10 p.m. CST) notifying us that we would, in fact, be training with Bob and Jillian on the Biggest Loser Campus. Elated, we headed to The Peanut (how could you not eat wings after that??) and watched our phones. for. hours.

Alas, the calls never came. To the Biggest Loser producers, you lost out on what would have been the greatest and most entertaining duo EVER.

And to the RMB owners and employees, thank you for providing the backdrop for what remains one of my favorite memories. I will miss your nachos, your cheeseburgers, your delicious onion rings -- and your vodka lemonades, which are made with the "secret" ingredient (it's all about pink lemonade!).

Safe travels to that Great Brewpub in the Sky, RMB. I'd lift a glass of strawberry blonde to you, but, you know, I don't drink beer. So I'll pour a Diet Coke out for you instead.

Love,
Katy

*Ryox = a last name hybrid created by the linking of mine and Jamie's last names. It also signifies the permanence of our heterosexual life partnership, which is nearing 20 years young! It's good to be a Ryox.

Funnies for the Monday

2009-02-02T20:15:00.003-06:00

You MUST go read this blog -- if only for the brilliant Photoshop work that accompanies it! I'm still laughing . . .

Under construction

2009-01-29T16:54:00.003-06:00

I've got company coming, so watch for some changes to take place in the next two weeks.

In the meantime, if you see me in the nearest food stamp line, it's because my mothership has arrived within walking distance of my apartment. Activate special bank account shield now!!

When a journal trumps your blog

2009-01-27T23:50:00.003-06:00

Heavy self-editing over the past week and a half has resulted in a lack of blog posts. I admire those who set out, from the get-go, to be anonymous and use their blogs as a cyber confessional. Because I've made mine a part of my branding package, however, I can't afford myself the same luxury and instead remain tight-lipped about personal developments that must remain under wraps.

Suffice it to say that I'm thinking about ch-ch-change. No, not THAT kind, although of course I send endless waves of props to our new President. I'm talking about the future, about where do I go from here (especially amid this crap-piss pile of an economy) and how do I get myself there?

It's difficult to ponder these things and give attention to a demanding workload, so I've found myself working odd and longer-than-usual hours in order to be finished. I'm looking forward to a break this weekend, during which the soul-searching will continue. Perhaps my new purchase will play a helping hand, or at least aid me in the direction of my efforts here and in other online endeavors.

I'm off to write and think about fun things we can talk about tomorrow. I can only sip from a half-empty cup for so long, and I need to kick my inner optimist back into high gear.