Stories of a Future Librarian

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Location: New York, New York, United States

I moved to NYC to become a famous actress, and now I'm working the library. Life's funny that way. I like to bake, and I often stick my foot in my mouth, but I try not to do it at the same time.

Monday, January 30, 2006

Let's talk about me

If you are reading my blog, chances are good that we are related. In which case, you basically know everything about me. Nonetheless, here is a list of some things I consider defining characteristics, just for fun.


  • I'm left handed, which some scientists say is evidence that I was a twin; at least very early on in development. Too bad that didn't last, I would have liked to be a twin.
  • I have hazel eyes. Not brown. Not green. Hazel.
  • I don't like my food to touch, and I only eat one thing at a time (ie I eat all of my peas, then all of my meatloaf, etc).
  • I am the third child of ten. Eight of us are girls, and two are boys.
  • When I was little my dream for adult life was to get married, be a mom, a cashier, a secretary, an artist, and an actress. I wanted to live in a pink house, drive a pink car, and have a pink poodle. Most of those aspirations have changed.
  • I am never bored.
  • I hate raisins.
  • If I could have one super power, it would be flight.
  • If I decide I don't want to do something, you shouldn't try to change my mind because in the end you probably will, but I will be so grumpy and mean the whole time, you'll wish you hadn't.
  • I like stories that end with a wedding.
  • I eat all of the peel off of an apple before I eat the good part.
  • Here are the shows I've seen every episode of: Saved by the Bell (but not the College Years), Party of Five, Freaks and Geeks, Gilmore Girls, Joan of Arcadia.
  • I want to name all of my children after literary characters.
  • The Cobb is the new Caesar.
  • I like to dance, but only in the privacy of my own home.
  • I love wearing red shoes.
  • These are the movies I've watched the most times: Party Girl, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, Circle of Friends, Labyrinth.
  • I almost always remember my dreams, and I dream about everyone I've ever met. If we've spoken, I've dreamt about you. Common dream motifs: flying & saving the world (not at the same time). Most anxiety dreams center around being in plays and not knowing any of my lines.
  • I'm terrified of cockroaches.
  • When I take the sacrament, I can only eat a piece of bread that has crust on it. Twice I forced myself to take a piece with no crust (you know, so people don't think I'm weird), but it's just not the same.
  • Some books I like to reread a lot: The Perilous Gard, The Girl with the Silver Eyes, Jane Eyre, the Anne of Green Gable series, the Betsy-Tacy books, His Dark Materials.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

BLEAK HOUSE this week or "Give me a shake"


Never fear, my heart still belongs to Guppy, but this week I particularly enjoyed Mr. Smallweed with his "Give me a shake." Also, I'm worried that Guppy's going to the dark side, and I don't know how to stop him.
Erin says she doesn't know if she trusts John Jarndyce, fearing his motivations in such generosity to Richard, Ada, and Esther might not be entirely philanthropic. I'm choosing not to be so cynical, at least for now, and believe he's just a good man. I hope I'm proven right, because I like him.
Can we talk about the character of Esther Summerson for a moment? You all know I love her, of course, there's nothing else you can do. But this is a character we've seen before: Agnes from DAVID COPPERFIELD, Anne from PERSUASION, and the girl from ADAM BEDE jump to mind. So, what's the deal? Did there used to be a lot more angelic, humble women around, so everyone knew one? Is it a novel character device to offset the many absurd characters that Austen and Dickens like to fill their stories with? Just something I started thinking about tonight.

And for a completely non sequitur remark: last night I was buying produce at the grocery store, and I saw turnips. I have never eaten a turnip; don't know why. Have you ever eaten one? Is this something I should pursue, or should I be glad I've been spared the experience?

Thursday, January 26, 2006

"I'm the greatest star, I am by far, but no one knows it."


This quote from Funny Girl isn't entirely appropriate, but that's what popped into my head as I clicked on the button to e-file my federal and state taxes today. That's right, it's January 26th, and I'm done with my taxes for another year. It feels great. If you would like to follow my fine example, and file online go to:
www.eztaxreturn.com/ezcash
use my coupon code CR0685, and you'll save $5 and I'll earn a referral incentive for our trouble.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Is my Anglophile showing?

We're working on taping The Woman in White for TOFT this week, and most of the creative team is English. Yesterday and today I spoke to an agent named St. John, and both times I got a little thrill when he said his name. I am such a geek!

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Theatre Review: The Pajama Game


I went to see The Pajama Game at the American Airlines Theatre on Saturday with a friend, Carlos, from Roundabout. I was excited to see the show since I've never seen it before, but I was a bit hesitant to get too excited. I'd heard that the script was very dated, and it was the first weekend, so I knew there could still be some problems. Well, I won't leave you in suspense, I loved it! This production reminded me of the revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, it's very colorful and energetic. As for the script being dated, it was, of course, but that didn't bother me at all. The set was beautiful-the main set being a larger than life pajama factory, with smaller scenes pieces being brought into the center for other scenes. Again, everything was very colorful, there wasn't much effort for realism. The costumes were much the same.
The ensemble was really great. It was quite small for a musical, but the AA isn't that big so it worked great. Now. Harry. I love him, he's a great singer, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him in this show. That being said, the poor boy can't really act. Luckily, when he was alone on stage, you could just close your eyes and listen, and when Kelli was onstage with him, she helped him a lot. Kathleen Marshall had obviously choreographed around him, but he was still pretty nervous about the dancing. Luckily, I think we all found that endearing, and he'll certainly get more comfortable as they go along. And Kelli. She was wonderful. I had only seen her in The Light in the Piazza, in which she was lovely, but I thought, can she really be spunky? The answer is yes, she can. She was riveting. When it was her and Harry onstage, I was watching her, no contest. I am now a full fledged, die hard, Kelli O'Hara fan.
The best number for me was Hernando's Hideway (which I was actually not looking forward to). I thought the whole thing was beautifully choreographed, and Kathleen had put in a piano solo for Harry which was great (and the only time he looked completely comfortable)
The only thing else I can say is that I desperately hope that Roundabout will be smart enough to make a cast recording of this production. I will buy it the first day.
If you have the opportunity to see this production, jump on it! Not only is the show lots of fun, but I was told by a reliable source (the souvenir vendor) that they will soon be selling pajamas in the lobby. I only wish I could go see it again with you.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Newbery & Caldecott Winners


Today the Newbery and Caldecott Awards were announced. Here are the results:
John Newbery Medal Winner
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner
The Hello, Goodbye Window illustrated by Chris Raschka

Newbery Honor
Whittington by Alan Armstrong
Hitler Youth:Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson

Caldecott Honor
Rosa illustrated by Bryan Collier
Zen Shorts illustrated by Jon J. Muth
Hot Air:The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride written & illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems illustrated by Beckie Prange

Of all of these books, I've only read Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. There was recently a little online hoopla because Shannon googled herself, and read an unfavorable review of Princess Academy on somebody's blog which hurt her feelings, and there was a little back and forth, so I'd better be careful what I say in case she googles herself again. I really like Shannon Hale (see the link to your left), and I'm happy she's getting this kind of recognition. Having said that, I kind of agree with the unfavorable review in that I was not completely happy with the ending of Princess Academy, and I definitely think Goose Girl and Enna Burning are superior to it. You should just go ahead and read all three, not to mention River Secrets, a third Bayern story that will be coming out sometime in the near future.
I have already requested Criss Cross and The Hello, Goodbye Window from the library (I beat the rush, there were only a couple of holds on both of them), so I look forward to reading those as well.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

"Guppy will wait"


Erin and I started watching this six part Masterpiece Theatre BLEAK HOUSE miniseries tonight. If you didn't, I recommend you find out when it's being replayed, catch up, and join us for episode two next Sunday night. The film style is a little too flashy for my taste, but besides that, I'm enjoying it very much. Especially since within the first five minutes I saw a familiar face; the girl who played Lyra in the National Theatre's production of HIS DARK MATERIALS. I sensed Erin's doubt of my declaration, so I quickly looked up BLEAK HOUSE on IMDB. Sure enough, Anna Maxwell Martin plays Esther Summerson (never question me on these very important matters).
I also saw on her bio that she was in NORTH AND SOUTH, and mini-series my Mom was recently telling me about. I'll look forward to seeing her in that as well.
As we watched the movie tonight, I kept my computer on pbs.org and looked at each actor's bio as they were introduced. It was very informative and enjoyable. I provided a link above, if you would like to check it out.
So far, I love Esther Summerson (you kind of have to) and Guppy. I joked with Erin that Guppy should have told Esther he "was willin' " but the he said "Guppy will wait" which was just as good.
Happy Dickens-ing!

Friday, January 20, 2006

Theatre Review: SWEENEY TODD


Last night, I spent more money than I should have on a ticket to Sweeney Todd, and it was worth every penny.
Let me set the scene for you. This production has only ten performers, who act all the parts and play all the instruments too. The set is a wide open space, with a few chairs around the edges, and on the back wall, shelves extending very high up with all manner of Victorian knick knacks. Center stage is a large black coffin. The concept is that the play takes place in a mental institution, and the performers are patients there, acting out a story being told by a new patient, Toby.
I had my doubts about this concept. I was very resistant to the idea of having the actors be the musicians as well. I thought it was just a gimmick they had picked up from Cabaret and it shouldn't be applied to every show, especially a show as musically vital as Sweeney Todd. I also didn't really like the idea of the mental institution. Sweeney Todd has the built in convention of being a dark, Victorian melodrama; I didn't think it needed anything else. I still don't think it needs anything else, but this production was really great and everything they did really worked.
*THE FOLLOWING MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*
By having the actors play the score, you do lose the really lush Sondheim score, but what you gain was so beautiful and unexpected. I was very quickly drawn to all of the performers, even before some of them did their main parts, because they were so involved in the story they were telling and it felt so personal and intimate between them and me. It was really lovely. They did a great job of making playing their instruments very organic and part of what they were doing. For instance, the two young lovers, Joanna and Anthony, both played cello, so they had a couple of what seemed like musical duets during their vocal duets (even though everyone else was still playing of course) and I found that a very effective connection between the two of them. You of course know that Patti plays the tuba which I also took to be a gimmick, but it actually worked. For one thing, she also played other percussion instruments during some songs, so she was just as vital a musician as the others, and when she played the tuba it was mostly during the boisterous numbers, and it really fit in.
As far as the mental institution stuff went, I actually really liked it. It wasn't too overbearing, but it also never really disappeared either. With Michael (Cerveris) and Patti, the craziness pretty much faded away into their characters during the bulk of the play, and came back at the end, but with everyone else, I felt like I could see the crazy layer over top of their character as well (especially with Joanna and Toby). Actually, I take that back for Patti, she did have scenes in the middle where whe was not "on stage" but was wandering around as a crazy lady, moving set pieces, etc.

Okay, as far as performances go, Patti and Michael were absolutely magnificent, as I expected. Other than that the entire cast was really wonderful. The only weak link was Anthony. I just didn't really like him, and when he had unsung dialogue, forget about it, he sounded a little like a robot. Luckily, Anthony's a boring part anyway, so I mostly just ignored him. The unexpected stand out for me was Manoel Felciano who played Toby. I was totally in love with him from the beginning, and he played the violin, clarinet, and keyboard really well. He was really great, and I also liked Lauren Molina as Joanna much more than I expected. I don't usually like Joanna very much, but I'm telling you, the crazy really works for that character.
The set looked great, and every scene moved really well into the next. The main set piece was the coffin that had two "feet" pieces. With those three wodden boxes, the cast constantly moved them into new configurations for each scene. For instance, the coffin was a table, a bed, a tall desk, a boat, Joanna's balcony, etc. Other than the coffin, they only used one ladder, and the several chairs for each scene. It was very intricately blocked, almost like the dance as actors traded places at different instruments, and being in different scenes. It was quite beautiful. The only set piece I didn't really like was a smaller white coffin they brought in during the second act as Sweeney's new barber's chair. The used it for a couple of other things besides his chair, but I just didn't really like it. Part of it was that was the only thing that I noticed that they brought on from offstage. All of their other props and set pieces were on stage the whole time, and they just kind of picked them up incidently as they went along.
Oh, the best props were the buckets. They had two white tin buckets, and every time someone dies, somebody would pour blood from one bucket to the other. I was sitting very close, and got a good look at the blood which I'm pretty sure was red corn syrup. I was a little worried about some spilling onto stage and somebody slipping because sometimes they lifted the bucket very high, but they all look pretty practices at pouring it. But by the end it was all around the rims of the buckets, and it looked great. They also had an effect towards the end where it looked like Toby was actually lit from within the bucket when he's discovering that they hold human remains, but I have no idea how they did that.
I don't want to end on a negative note, but I do have to tell you that the one thing I did not like was Patti's costume. Everyone was dressed in very neutral outfits of black, white, and grey which was fine, but Patti had very weird high heeled platforms that I really don't know how she walked in, knee high fish-nets and a very short skirt, for no reason that I could imagine. I'm not opposed to short skirts, but it was just an ugly combo. It was almost made worse by the long apron she wears over it in the first act which, as you can see, goes down to her knees, but it only wraps halfway around in the back, and it made me feel like a peeping tom to see her thighs every time she turned around. I also suspect her bottom was padded, but it wasn't outrageous enough for me to be sure.
At any rate, I'm so glad I was able to see this wonderful production (don't worry Laura, this is one playbill I will keep), and I would recommend it to all of you. TOFT is taping it, so if you miss it, there's still hope.
Side note, I was sitting in the fourth row, and during intermission I was staring at the curtain, just waiting for the show to start again. The curtain had lots of slashmarks in it, and for a few seconds towards the end of intermission, I thought I saw Patti peering through one of the slashmarks. Sure enough, her face appeared again. I don't know who she was looking for, but I thought it very funny that even Patti Lupone is guilty of such a basic no-no as peeking at the audience through the curtain.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Eye makeup


My makeup purchases and use tend to be sporadic in nature. I probably have eight different mascaras floating around my room ranging in age from 1 month old to 5 years. Generally, I use whichever mascara I come across first. Mascara is the only makeup I wear with any regularity, so it is the most important. While at a baby shower this summer, I heard several girls singing the praises of Lancome mascara. Just after Christmas, I decided that I needed to find the truth for myself.
At the counter, the sales girl told me very enthusiastically that Lancome owns the #1, #2, #3, and #5 best-selling mascaras (I know you're all wondering what the #4 best-selling mascara is, and I do too, but I didn't dare ask her). She then proceeded to tell me about every mascara Lancome sells. My initial thought was that I should go ahead and just buy the #1 kind; it must be the top selling mascara for a reason, right? But it was the first one she talked about, and by the time we got through them all, I couldn't remember which one it was. In any case, I bought the water-proof curling mascara (I think this was the #5 one, but I'm not sure). The sales girl really wanted to sell me some eye makeup remover too, but I was confident that Vaseline would be able to do the job, so I declined.
Well, I'm here to add my voice to the chorus of Lancome fans everywhere. I really like this mascara; I plan to wear it to the exclusion of all others and I look forward to working my way up to #1. I will finally throw out all my other mascaras of dubious freshness, and the best news is that I'll have more room for eye shadow - something I rarely wear, but always feel the need to buy.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Book review: Wishing Moon

I just finished the Wishing Moon by Michael O. Tunnell. I learned about it from Shannon Hale's newsletter, and checked it out from the library. It was not entirely original, but a very enjoyable story about a beggar girl who ends up with Aladdin's magic lamp. Upon reading the Tunnell's back flap bio, and doing a little internet research, I found that he is also an LDS author; whether that makes him more or less interesting to you I don't know, but I thought it made him a little more interesting. Anyway, if you're looking for a pretty quick read in the YA fantasy genre, you might want to check it out.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Christmas in the rearview

Well, I just took the Christmas cards down in the office yesterday, and the holidays are now finally, officially over. I'm a bit ashamed to say that I'm relieved. I love Christmas, but it does add a lot of extra steps to my day. I had to greet everyone with the appropriate holiday greeting, explain endless new treats to the innumerable moochers at work, send cards (didn't quite get that finished this year), etc. And that was before I went to spend a week at my parents house with 10 other people. Don't get me wrong, mixed in with the madness, I had some good times too. Here are few highlights from my Christmas holiday:
  • Meeting my niece, Kate
  • Making gingerbread waffles (my first time making waffles of any kind)
  • Laughing with my sisters
  • Eating Christmas Jello
  • Quoting things with my family that only they would get
  • Seeing The Family Stone with my Mom (which she liked better than I did, surprisingly)
  • Eating Rochester "hots" (that's hotdogs to the rest of the country)
  • Seeing 2 of my sisters in fish-net tights (can you guess which ones?)*
  • Dancing around & acting stupid because my family has to love me no matter what
  • Playing Uno and drinking root beer floats on New Years

Certainly those moments were worth any amount of chaos. But for now, I'll be happy to settle back into the old routine for a while. I'm trying to read as many books and see as many movies as possible before school starts; I have one week left. I hope all of you are either settling into happy routines as well, or starting on new adventures. Whichever it is, I wish you love and all the best!

*It was Amy and Emily in the fish-nets. Do you think that's why they have husbands and the rest of us don't?

Thursday, January 12, 2006

A movie review - The Baxter


I watched this movie last night. I had seen it advertised in the theater, and thought it looked fun, but it was in an independent movie theater for which I didn't have a discount pass. So, I waited, and netflixed it this week (does it bother you that this is now a verb?). I expected to be mildly entertained, so I was delighted by how very entertained I was! This movie is a quirky love story, which I like, but what I like even better are all of the even quirkier side characters that we meet only once or twice. I think all of the actors did a very good job (and Paul Rudd looked darling as ever). Also, there is a small dancing scene (I love dancing scenes). I was most thoroughly entertained (I laughed out loud during several scenes); so much so that not only am I recommending this movie to you, but I'm going to buy it for my home collection as well. Come by some time and watch it with me.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Pet Peeve #4,368

Rutgers University calls the semester about to start "Spring 2006." This is causing me no end of annoyance. Mostly because every time at look at it, I think I've done something wrong and am in the wrong semester, but also because it just isn't logical. Rutgers has three semesters in the year, and they call them Fall, Spring, Summer. Why? If you name your semesters after the season they start in, fine. You'd have Fall, Winter, Spring. Or if you choose to name after the season they end in, fine. You'd have Winter, Spring, Summer. But Rutgers chooses to use Fall (when the semester starts), Spring (when the coming semester ends), and Summer (when that semester will end). The inconsistency drives me crazy! Why do they do this? It can't be solely to torment me, can it?

Friday, January 06, 2006

Stamp Fever

I have a weakness for buying stamps. I like having lots of different designs to choose from - I even buy special "boring" stamps for bills to make my pretty stamps for friends even more special. Stamps are one of those things I can always justify to myself; even when I don't need them now, I will need them sometime, won't I?
The result being that now that postage goes up in a few days, I have dozens of decorative stamps that now need a companion 2-cent stamp to get my letters where they're going. So I logged on to USPS.com to see what my options were. Look what met my eye! Here are the stamps I want to buy:


I actually already knew about the book stamps, and of course, planned to buy them, but I didn't know they were coming out so soon. And look at the darling new LOVE stamp! I love it. But the last thing I should do right now is buy new decorative stamps, when I have to use up all my 37-cent stamps. But look at my 2-cent stamp option:


It's okay, I guess, but nothing to make my heart leap with joy (isn't that what stamps are supossed to do?). Well, I think you all know what I did. I bought them all. I'll always have to send letters, right?

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Important Pullman News!

Philip Pullman is working on a new book about Lyra! I'd assume he'll try to have it ready to come out with the first movie, and I am delighted. Click on the title for a link to more news about The Book of Dust.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Look Ma, it's me!


My mom got a new computer for Christmas with a web cam built in. Who knew they could be so fun?