michelle and charity go to the mall aka possession.

Michelle was here this weekend for a conference and we got to hang out Saturday. We wanted to do something where we could talk all day, so we decided to go to the mall.

Michelle and I arrived at the mall only to be assaulted by the sight of the "pink pig" which comes out every christmas to brainwash the kids into buying more stuff than they need and can possibly use with money their parents are looking for ways to throw away, apparently. Again, it's not even Thanksgiving yet. Shouldn't this a time to be thankful for what we already have? No? It's a time for buying countless stuffed pigs that look like they are possessed by demons? Oh, ok, my bad.

Of course you also realize this means the mall was FULL of kids. The more time I spend around large numbers of children, the more convinced I become that I don't want them. Not because I don't like kids, but because their parents all seem to become possessed by spirits that force them to buy incredibly expensive strollers and toys and candies at every turn; they blindly allow their children to run around the mall eating chicken fingers and yelling at strangers, and for some reason still expect all of us single childless people to be jealous of them. I can't understand it. I just know that I don't want to join their numbers. Sure, some people might say "Oh, but I would never be like that!" But what if you can't control it? Yikes.


Anyway, here's me in front of the pig. This is why I will never be a model. The camera comes out and I begin to look like a goblin. Who can explain it? Ah, well. I blame the pig.


Michelle, on the other hand, is incredible photogenic. And beautiful.


The young woman in the store came up to me while still folding sweaters and said, "Excuse me, but you are NOT allowed to take pictures of the mannequins." I guess this must be a common problem for them. I thought she was going to confiscate my camera. Lucky me and you she didn't try, I guess. No wait, I mean lucky THAT BITCH.


Welcome to my nightmare! Thanks for stopping by! Leave your sanity at the door! You won't need it where you're going!

Be good! (Or beware the wrath of the pig! I'm just saying!)

Charity :)

Old picture of me and Michelle (December 2004).


Another old picture of me and Michelle (December 2004).

ice cream!

I totally almost forgot: last night I got some Haagen Dazs Pomegranate Chip Ice Cream and it was pretty much the best ice cream I ever remember having in my entire life (except maybe the lemon ice cream from Yum-Yums in Greensboro). I'm sad it is a limited release. And I'm also sad it is ridiculously expensive, because I'm definitely going to have to go get some more.



I watched "It Happened One Night" last night, too (photo source). Excellent. Claudette Colbert is absolutely beautiful and so charming and clever. And of course, Clark Gable is just a really great match for her in the casting. How great this movie was! It is light-hearted, it pulls at your heartstrings, it makes you nervous and excited, it is in turn hilarious and touching; it's just marvelous. Any fan of romantic comedy definitely needs to watch it.

And I highly recommend the ice cream accompaniment.

Charity :)

well, well, well.

It was nice to visit with Richard when I was home last weekend. He seems to be doing well, lately, and really enjoyed driving my mom's new (used) Avalon since she was in Egypt. (And I enjoyed sleeping in her comfy bed! Although sharing a queen bed with several stacks of devotional and Sudoku books still doesn't leave much room to stretch out... I miss you Mom!)


There's a new addition: Pumpkin-Jack. Too bad Richard is "not a cat person."


(Can you tell?)


Yoda did not seem happy about not being the kitten-baby anymore. However, he did better than Tubby, who wouldn't even come near the house, and instead tried to get me to let her into the neighbor's house. She sat next to her screen door, meowing and looking plaintively at me. Crazy lunatic.

I had a nice weekend. I visited with Richard obviously, but also a little with Isaac, and I spent Saturday night with Sarah and Daddy. Daddy and I watched 300, which kept making me laugh. I remembered that hilarious review I read about it. I posted a link to it on my blog I think. But anyway, it was so funny. And we got to see it in Hi-Def, which really brought out the six-packs and quadriceps of the good guys (sex-non-neutral language used intentionally). It also brought out the grossness of the bad people and monsters and gushing spurting blood, so there was also that. Good times.

Anyway, since then, I've finished my new favorite book: "The Late-Bloomer's Revolution" by Amy Cohen. I wrote a review of it on GoodReads in case you're on there. I've also finished 2 of the Harry Potter books of the 7 I'm re-reading. I have lost a bit of the steam, though, and might wait to read the rest. I was really inspired by Cohen's book to find another great new book to read. Sometimes life seems too short to re-read Harry Potter books. So if you have any good recommendations, I'd love to hear them. I'd like to read Slam by Nick Hornby. That will be good I think. And undoubtedly a quick read. Anyway, I'll let you know what I decide.

I hope you're all doing well. We moved from drought to cold dry winter and my skin is killing me. I'm going through lotion like it's going out of style, and to no avail. Remember the days when Atlanta was humid? I'm going to have to crank out my humidifier again, I guess.

Oh, and I got on Facebook. How silly!

Charity :)

Before heading home, I was lucky enough to catch a quick glimpse of this beautiful car! As far as I can tell it's a 1949 Coronet, and very shiny and pretty. I have a weakness, I know.

some recent pictures: mom on her way to Egypt

A nice woman sitting next to us in the airport took this picture of mom and me. She had a layover last night at the airport here in Atlanta, so I went to visit with her a minute. I missed the Office, but it was worth it.


Mom got a new camera from Richard for her birthday. He got her one a few years ago, but my younger brother has taken it over. Can you claim squatters' rights on a camera? If so, he would.


Mom waving good-bye from the security checkpoint. She's the one waving goodbye at the security checkpoint.


My dad posted this picture of me a while ago and I thought people who know me might get a kick out of seeing it.

Charity :)

some recent pictures: Halloween

Little Jack was a Hershey's Kiss, but he hated the hat, so he kind of looked like a silver shopping bag. But how cute he was anyway!!


Nicholas saw this picture after I took it and was fascinated by it. He made me show it to him again.


What a cute non-threatening skeleton!


Susanna and the skeleton.


Time to go!


The patience of this woman was incredible! Nicholas wasn't a bother, but some of those other kids were crazy annoying. Nicholas was looking over at his parents, rather than at the photographer. He seems skeptical of this whole process. And rightly so, in my opinion.


Nicholas liked my hat.


My babies were cats. :)

i've been thinking of writing...

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING?
haha. no way. not even close.

2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP?
11 months. i know. i can't even make it a year.

3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
technically, i think it was these earrings from my dad.

4. EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE?
yes. yes. yes.

5. EVER LIKE SOMEONE FOR A LONG TIME AND STILL NEVER GET THEM?
wait, am i the only one?

6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON?
relative to my income: groceries.

7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE?
i am currently eating salt and pepper potato chips.

8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
good-lookingness.

9. ONE FAVORITE SONG?
look, i'll limit it to one album and screw you for asking such a hard question: waterloo, tn by uncle earl.

10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
atlanta.

11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED:
western guilford! fighting hornets! [blows raspberry]

12. WHAT CELLPHONE DO YOU USE:
LG chocolate phone. it's pretty sweet. blue.

13. FAVORITE MALL STORE:
except for not being able to afford anything in any of these stores, i would have to say the apple store, teavana, and anthropologie. my favorite store though is h & m. it's swedish. "ha om" or something.

14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD?
for four years off and on i worked at asheville pizza company.

15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE?
probably.

16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?
no.

17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED?
carrie and jake's in september.

18. FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY?
nikki.

19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND(S)?
well, i just recently saw my best friends in atlanta.

20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT?
subway?

21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD
every time i have told my parents that i'm almost done with my dissertation.

23. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS?
wherever. maybe fellini's.

24. CAN YOU COOK?
yay! love to! good at it!

25. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE?:
my corolla!

26. BEST KISSER:
me.

27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?:
about a week ago i think. unless i've repressed something. ;)

28. MOST DISLIKED FOOD?
eggplant, maybe?

29. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
my good intentions.

30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
my poor follow-through.

32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?:
16 hours, but i think i got a two hour lunch. it was at a hotel during a snowstorm.

33. FAVORITE MOVIE?
the maltese falcon maybe.

34. CAN YOU SING?
most people can. i can also carry a tune.

35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED?
ooh, two days ago i went to see my favorite band, uncle earl.

36. LAST KISS?
"recently".

37. LAST MOVIE RENTED:
i've got a couple of marlene dietrich films on netflix. at the video store, the last thing i rented was the last disc of the first season of heroes.

38.ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT:
(eye)glasses.

39. FAVORITE vacation spot?
i think i'll like barcelona. and i'd like to go to scotland.

43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?
i have a laptop.

44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN?
i can't think of anyone off hand, so i must not like anyone enough for them to count as my favorite. my ex-boyfriend took a standup class but at his show he made jokes about me. that was the end of the beginning of the end.

45. DO YOU SMOKE?
no.

46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
i haven't worn my clothes to bed in years. pajamas or a nightgown maybe.

47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?:
no one.

48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?
i tried, ok?

49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE?
several times. 3 or so?

50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST?
YES! french toast on whole wheat toast, preferably with that sickly sweet strawberry flavored syrup from the IHoP.

51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?
i haven't had coffee in about two months. i'm very proud.

52 HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?
the other day i had an omelette and it was almost like a crepe taco. it was so yummy i couldn't even believe it. it even had yolky bits on the inside and i loved it anyway. crazy.

53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?
it seems there is something to the patterns, but as a sociologist i feel guilty admitting it.

54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?:
sylvia, i think. i left a few messages since then but no one has called me back.

55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?
kristy.

56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECIEVED?:
it was long ago enough to have forgotten about already.

58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?
two and a throw pillow.

59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?
work clothes. i'm at home right now, but they're comfortable.

60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC:
"there's some some honest work left for bearded ladies"

61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J?
strawberry jam. and only strawberry jam. keep your fake grape goo please.

62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?:
i can. i can't win unless i'm playing an armless person, though.

63. CAN YOU SWIM?
yes.

64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
napoleon because i can have whichever flavor i want.

65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS?
i guess.

66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF:
i got a massage yesterday.

68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY?
sure.

69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
fall. too bad it's getting to be so short.

70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID?
i can't imagine it was too long ago.

71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING ?
geez. way too early (5:45) and i was still late for work.

72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?
warm soup?

73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?:
in college.

75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET?:
we always had pets. my first pet on my own was tubby, who now lives with my mom.

76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?
They've got booty so hey, good for them.

77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND??
going to nc.

78. BIRTHDATE?
in september.

79. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE:
a professor on a tenure track. happy.

85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?
i'm on a chair.

87. ARE YOU SMILING?
nope. that was a dumb question.

89. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW ?
not really. i'm getting ready to go meet my mom at the airport.

90. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
i'd go to egypt with my mom, i think. except she'll be working the whole time.

92. ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL?
ha.

93. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?:
not really.

94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME?
no idea.

95. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHING SUIT?:
black with a little white.

96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST?
like the last day.

97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?
not unless you count going to visit my mom.

98. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?:
no. i think i would like it, but i might get stir crazy.

99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER?
a sister-in-law and two stepsisters.

100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?
from the basement.

101. ARE YOU OR WERE YOU IN LOVE?
i have been but am not now.

102. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL?
just passing through.

103. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW?
i wish i was already at the airport with my mom. i wish visiting her didn't conflict with my previous plans to watch the office with michael and susanna.

104. WHAT JEWELRY ARE YOU WEARING?
rings, a necklace.

105. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY?
finish my beer, wash my cereal dish, play with the cats for a minute, then go to the airport.