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Good morning website, this blog comes to you in five parts.

Alex — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:00:25 +0000

Part 1: Harry Potter
So, I went to see Deathly Hallows a few weeks ago. I can honestly say this was the first one since Prisoner of Azkaban that I didn’t feel like it could have been much better. This movie felt pitch-perfect. Although, to be fair, all they had to really do was get the Snape scene right and show Neville being the BAMF that he is, and I’d have been happy with it. (On a side note, when did DEAN THOMAS get so hot? Also, I love how Seamus looks pretty much exactly the same as he did as a first year.)

Totally the same kid

Part 2: A Song of Ice and Fire
So, if you don’t follow me on twitter, have me as a friend on facebook, watch my Tumblr, or ever talk to me, you might not know I’ve been into a little series called A Song of Ice and Fire. Seriously, I can’t talk enough about how this series is everything fantasy should be. The story starts 15 or so years after the typical fantasy “overthrow the evil ruler” quest has ended, and the country of Westeros is still dealing with the aftermath. It’s quite gritty and far more disturbing than, say, Lord of the Rings, but it’s definitely one of those stories that reminds me that problems aren’t ever really solved. They just morph into new problems.

SAPPHIRES.

This series also has one of my new favorite characters of all time: Brienne of Tarth. I’m planning to do a blog post just about her at some point in the near future.

Part 3: Fanfiction
I found out the other day that George R. R. Martin (the author of aforementioned ASoIaF series) is vehemently opposed to fanfiction. I just, I can’t comprehend this. You know what, I have a lot to say on that too, so I’ll make another post about that later.

Part 4: My life
My life has actually been fairly eventful lately, but mostly in things I don’t desire to post on the internet. I did finally get my air conditioning unit to work, which is great now that we’re no longer in a giant heatwave.

I also got Google+, so if you’ve got an account, feel free to circle me. Is that the correct terminology?

I’m also going to Wizard World Comic Con next weekend. I’m dressing up as Tonks, which essentially involves dyeing my hair pink and tripping over everything. (Well, the tripping comes naturally anyway.)

Part 5: Music
My new favorite song:

In the Snowstorm Where You Sleep

Alex — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 22:31:07 +0000

So, my move went well last weekend. And by well, I mean everything made it in one trip, nothing was broken despite the ice and stairs, delicious pizza was enjoyed by all, and I woke up the next morning feeling like every muscle in my body hated me. Of course there were hiccups (such as not being able to bring the sofa from the basement), but all in all, it was far less disastrous than my pessimism anticipated. The hardest thing has definitely been the lack of internet. However, this selfsame lack has definitely increased the amount of effort I have put into unpacking. I’m almost done, however, thanks to the snowstorm.

In case you haven’t heard, the midwest had some slight snow showers this week. My work was actually cancelled because of the blizzard. I think I was the only person in the entire state without a horror story about getting my car out of the driveway. The wind blew the snow to the other lot, the plow came through and plowed out behind me, and all I had to do was kick a little bit of snow off my tires. Although, I did drive to work on Thursday, and the drive was miserable. Next time I have to drive, I’m taking the tollway. Even if I hate it and it costs money, at least I get to go more than 35 mph. Friday, I decided to walk from my train station. Most of it wasn’t bad, but the snow was piled at least as high as my shoulder on the road right outside my work. Maybe the sidewalk will get shoveled over the weekend. (Oh, dreams.)

This blog post doesn’t really have a point, I guess, as much as I’m realizing people I actually know read this (occasionally), so I figured I’d give an update on my life from time to time. But don’t worry. I’m sure there will still be plenty of random posts that don’t really help anyone coming as well.

Also, since what’s an update without the music I’ve been listening to lately, here’s Dead Man’s Bones.

Sing and Raise Your Glass

Alex — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 00:00:17 +0000

My Chemical Romance’s new single SING may become my favorite song by them. As amazing as Na Na Na is, this song is just s heartfelt and passionate.

Find more artists like My Chemical Romance at Myspace Music

Yes. I’m sorry. And no. I don’t think I ever will be done talking about My Chemical Romance.

In other news, Pink continues to be strangely awesome.

P!nk – New Music – More Music Videos

Dr. Work and Mr. Music

Alex — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:44:47 +0000

I was poking around on the computer today at work, and stumbled across my predecessor’s predecessor’s old Livejournal account. She blogged a fair amount about working here at Preston Publications, and it was somewhat amusing to read someone talking about having very similar experiences to mine. Also, I now understand why there are 5 periodic tables on the wall. Also, I’m not going to (ever) write a post about how I am bored sitting at work and deciding to blog about it. Even if Julie did say she wouldn’t look at my blog again now that I work here, I still work here. I’ll wait to blog about it until I’m at home, thanks.

That’s not to say that I have tons of bad things I’m holding back. If I did, I probably wouldn’t mention work at all (and go rant in my own personal Livejournal). My job’s not particularly exciting, but it’s better suited to me than anything else I’ve ever done (except at the RP, which I don’t really think counts considering it was a college job and won’t really cover any bills). It might be slightly boring and monotonous, but let’s face it. So am I.

I’m an editorial assistant for two scientific journals. My job is mostly formatting and copy editing scientific papers in preparation for publication. I also do some receptionist-type work (answering phones, mailing out complimentary copies, etc.). The editing can be a bit mind numbing at times, but all in all, it’s more than I expected from a entry-level job.

The best thing about this job is not the minimal amount of drama I’ve been subjected too, the fact that it offers insurance, or even that I’ve got my own (windowless) office. The best thing is that once I know what I’m supposed to do, I’m allowed to go off and work on it until it’s done. The deadlines are generally spelled out far in advance (at least for major things), and if formatting seems more fun than editing at a given moment, I can do that. I also can listen to music and podcasts while I work. I remember thinking to myself a long time ago: “All I want from a post-graduation job is the ability to wear headphones.” I was totally right.

Speaking of music, I’ll leave you with the song that’s been stuck in my head all day:

(You can get it for free at blackcardsmusic.com. Oh oh oh yippee oh oh ay.)

Things That Make Me Happy

Alex — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:02:13 +0000

Journaling

Alex — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:59:43 +0000

I’m beginning to realize how anti-technology I am. Not that I hate technology, I spend far too many of my waking hours parked in front of a keyboard, or with headphones in, or with a cell phone to my ear. But when it comes down to it, I would rather use something “old school,” “classic,” or “retro” than have the latest and greatest (and buggiest) piece of gadgetry out there.

I guess that’s why I was so excited when I got my Moleskine notebook. I would rather write my ideas down on a piece of paper than any computer program, however shiny. I may be able to type faster than I can write, but with computers come the inevitable distractions of email, instant messaging and blogs to name a few. I like just sitting down with my notebook and feeling like writing is the only thing in the world.

I made myself a hipster PDA a few weeks ago, and I’m happy with it, especially because now I don’t feel the need to go out and get a PDA. Not that I did, but I am always enamored with gadgetry that I’ll never be able to afford, and it was nice to realize I’d be able to get everything I want from a PDA, really, with just a few index cards.

Along the same lines, I am really considering getting one of the Moleskine City Notebooks, as an alternate to getting something with GPS. I am still weirded out by the concept of my world being so small that people can pinpoint my location by what I have in my hand or dashboard. But I’m also horrible at directions, and I think that this might be the perfect option. Has anyone tried one of these? Are they really as helpful as advertised?