note to self: don't do that

Tried to balance on my back on the ball yesterday evening, and fell off, pulling my neck in the process. This morning I am very sore :/ I'll live, but I think I'll have D. spot me until I'm used to the thing!

PSA from geekchick: Katrina Help Wiki - may contribute during my lunch hour depending on what my workload is like.

Time to go to work. I've got a terrific case of the Mondays...

small kindnesses and so forth

( uh...huh. Found via realm_of_venus )

Today after work I stopped off at my java joint of choice to pick up some fresh coffee for a party this weekend. Unfortunately, their credit card reader was broken, and no manager was on hand to authorize the purchase. So....

The staff let me take it on faith, asking that I pay for it next time I come in. You bet I will - another reason I love this place!

Also oddly enough saw this guy sitting on one of the sofas, out of character but in full costume. For those not in the know, this guy does blindingly loud and annoying infomercials for government freebies. Didn't talk to him, as the only thing to be said was "You're the one in those obnoxious commercials!", but it was rather surreal to see him sitting there in full get up on his cell phone.

Duty for tomorrow: squeeze in trip to Home Depot between end of work/start of dinner lecture. Turns out hospitals really do not like steel body piercings so I need to pick up some nylon trimmer line to cut into "keepers" for the tube-tying next week.

(no subject)

Google Map's New Orleans. Press the red "Katrina" button and zoom. Very disturbing.

remembrance of books past

Secret Lives was one of my favorite books in elementary school. I remember getting it through the Scholastic Book club, though I don't know why I selected it. It's a simple mystery about a girl who discovers secrets about her mother's life and death in her stuffy aunts' attic.

I mention it now because I think it may have been the first thing to make me curious about New Orleans - the descriptions of whitewashed cemetery vaults, richly scented flowers and white silk scarves just seemed exotic to my 11 year old self. The descriptions of strict aunts perpetually in mourning lavender making fried green tomato sandwiches weren't quite as appealing, but were still pleasantly surreal.

Interestingly there's also a bit in the book with Addie seeing a dress in a shop window and her aunt helping her make it for half the price.. wonder if that stuck anywhere ;)