STORYTIME

In honor of today’s 55-degree temperature and the daffodils poking up in front of City Hall, I thought I’d take a moment to make a list of all things I want to do (for fun) this spring and summer. I’ve been meaning to do this for awhile as it will give me hope during the tail end of winter.

• Drive to Bennett Beach after work and swim until the sun goes down.
• Get up early on a Saturday or Sunday, pack a picnic lunch, ride bikes over the Peace Bridge and to Crystal Beach, Ontario. Spend the rest of the day lounging on the beach, swimming, and feasting on the picnic food. Ride back and take pictures of the Buffalo skyline atdusk.
• Eat ice cream from the Porter Avenue ice cream place. Hatch plans for the 2nd Annual DIY Triathalon.
• Sit around the fire pit in my dad and Terrie’s backyard after eating a delicious dinner with them. Admire the plants they’re growing.
• Take Crashers swimming in the lake at Sean’s family’s cottage.
• Also Canandaigua related: drive the boat over to Kershaw beach, throw the anchor overboard, and hang out in the water all day while listening to soft rock on the boat radio.
• Enjoy my mother’s backyard with her beautiful patio, twinkle lights, and pool.
• Slow, lazy nights out with friends, preferably on the patios/porches of Left Bank, Fat Bob’s, or fish-fry dives.
• Photo adventures along the Bird Island Pier with my brother. Also at Amherst State Park.
• Visit Brynn in Long Lake and swim in the mountain lake.
• Grill, lay around, play basketball, entertain, drink beers, and relax in our courtyard/backyard/whatever it is.
• Fall asleep around the campfire at the cottage after singing folk songs.

Tags: buffalo, cottage, dreams, fantasies, spring, summer, warm weather, wishlist.

Tags: clip, funny, saturday night live, video, zach galifianakis.

So I basically missed the entire month of February in terms of updating this blog, and I’ve got pretty good excuses: grad school and and a virus on this website. The ten of you that read this blog on the regular probably know what I’m talking about regarding the virus (thank you Kevin and Pat for alerting me!). A person would visit the blog, and after a few seconds be automatically redirected to another random website. After trying to unsuccessfully fix it myself I had no choice but to let the blog be for a few weeks. A group project and my readings for grad school were kicking my butt and allowing me zero time to breath, let alone fix the site. Eventually I put out a call for (free) help on twitter and Jim Lindley came to my rescue.  I still can’t explain what happened to the site but I know it was caused by my outdated version of Wordpress. Jim had it fixed within, like, 40 seconds. He’s awesome and a genius. Thank you, Jim!

Grad school is going well, and keeping me very busy. The work hasn’t been too difficult, just time-consuming. I’m really enjoying my Introduction to Library Studies class, and becoming familiar with the issues librarians deal with in the school, public, and corporate environments. I’ve also completed 25 hours of observation within school library media centers, both elementary and high school, and have felt at the end of each observation that I’ve picked the right career.

A couple of things have helped sustain me through the past two months, and I thought I’d drop them on y’all:

Friday Nights Lights. Sean started watching this show on Netflix streaming and after he, Natalie, and Brian gushed over it on our trip to Colorado, I decided to join the party. As usual, I’m years behind on this television show but it hasn’t stopped me from becoming obsessed and making things like the picture you see on your right. You know, because I have so much free time and all. Anyway, I’ve lost many hours of sleep to FNL but am happy to report that come Season 4’s premiere on NBC in April, I will be ready to watch it with the rest of the world. That’s right, I’m all caught up.

Yoga Today. My friend Anna and I have been trying to go to a yoga class at the new Shakti Yoga on Grant Street since it opened in January. We’ve yet to find a time or day that works for us so I’ve been sneaking in classes via the internet when I can. My new computer is fast and memory-free enough to download several podcasts from YogaToday.com. I highly, highly recommend you check out Yoga Today if you’re interested in adding variation to your routine or even if you’re a beginner. My favorite instructor is Neesha. She practices (and teaches) Anusara Yoga, a joyful and low-pressure style that I first learned in college at the Valley School of Dance & Shakti Yoga.

Tags: busy bee, friday night lights, grad school, virus, yoga.

I’ve been going places and seeing people, and then my website was taken over my a stupid virus. It’s all better now thanks to the wonderful Jim Lindley.

Once I over the next hump of school work I’ll have an update.

Tags: colorado, friends, natalie, travel, virus.

My weekend trip up to Long Lake was fantastic, very good for the soul. Great friend time, lots of beautiful scenery, and plenty of sleep.

I drove through some bad weather on Thursday night and it made my ride an hour and a half longer than it should have been. When I got to Brynn and Brian’s house they had chili and hugs waiting for me. My stressful drive was all but forgotten.

On Friday I went to school with Brynn and observed her for the day, fulfilling both credit hours for my School Media Center course and my long-standing curiosity as her friend. Long Lake Central School is small (65 students total, K-12) and very, very neat. I learned a ton from Brynn and am so looking forward to having my own school library one day.

After school on Friday Brynn and I drove to Lake Placid. We planned to grab dinner at this great Mexican restaurant, get some work done at the coffee shop, and maybe catch a movie. As we entered Lake Placid we were greeted with this lovely scene:

It was so cold on Friday (and Saturday) that there were very few clouds in the sky. With that fact and the glaring spotlight of a full moon, Whiteface Mountain was frickin’ glorious. I mean come on, what else would you call this scene?

Brynn let me stall our night for a few minutes as I snapped the best photo I could. Nothing I got does it justice but it was -5 degrees outside and my poor right hand was in pain from the cold.

The rest of the weekend was fun too. I slept sort of late on Saturday morning, went on a brief (freezing) photo walk, and got some school work done. Brynn and Brian prepared for that evening’s “Chocolate Fest” library fundraiser and town open mic, both of which proved to be excellent events. I ate more chocolate-themed desserts than I care to disclose and I got to see Brian sing at the open mic with his younger sister Nicole.

My drive to Buffalo was clear and quick. Sean and I grabbed dinner at Hardware with Kevin and Sara, and went back to Kevin’s to drink tea and, as it turns out, practice juggling.

All in all, a lovely extended weekend–I feel great.

Tags: Adirondacks, brynn, friends, Long Lake, mountains, travel.

My friend Colin posted about Howard Zinn’s passing yesterday. I’m not sure when or from whom I would have found out otherwise. (Update: Oh wait, it’s all over my Facebook)

Most folks are familiar with Zinn’s People’s History of the United States, and I congratulate all the high school and college history teachers who have assigned it over the years. It’s an important book, and it should be read.

My fondest Zinn memories are related to a different, much smaller tome of his: Artists in Times of War.

I read it my senior year at Geneseo, a couple years into Bush’s Iraq war. My friends and I were regularly waking up at the break of dawn to write the body counts of U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians all over the campus sidewalks in chalk. It was “illegal” to use sidewalk chalk on campus, and we always ran the risk of getting into trouble or having our masterpieces hosed away before classes started. More often though our chalk pieces stayed up and, if my sources are correct, it’s now acceptable for people and groups to use sidewalk chalk on campus.

Some of my best conversations about the Iraq war and our country’s foreign and domestic policies happened while or because of my “chalking.” One morning outside the library my friend Serena and I met a fellow student named Mosen. He was back on campus after a tour in Iraq and was scheduled to return at the end of the semester. At first he approached Serena and me with hostility but soon we were all engaged in a productive and (for me) meaningful conversation about the war. I followed up with him a few times after that and thought a lot about his stories in the months to follow.

Here’s an excerpt from Artists in Times of War:

During the Vietnam War, there were meetings of historians. While the war was raging in Southeast Asia, the question was, “Should historians take a stand on the war?” There was a big debate about this. Some of us introduced a resolution saying that “We historians think the United States should get out of Vietnam.” Other historians objected. They said, “It’s not that we don’t think the United States should get out, but we are just historians. It’s not our business.”

But whose business is it? The historian says, “It’s not my business.” The lawyer says, “It’s not my business.” The businessman says, “It’s not my business.” And the artist says, “It’s not my business.” Then whose business is it? Does that mean you are going to leave the business of the most important issues in the world to the people who run the country? How stupid can we be?

Rest in peace, Howard Zinn. Fortunately for us, your words live on.

The above portrait of Zinn is from the Americans Who Tell the Truth series by Robert Shetterly. The quote used in the painting is as follows: “The rule of law does not do away with the unequal distribution of wealth and power, but reinforces that inequality with the authority of law. It allocates wealth and poverty in such calculated and indirect ways as to leave the victim bewildered.”

Tags: college, deaths, Geneseo, history, howard zinn, politics, progressive.

I think I’m getting sick. I’ve got that creeping headache, bad breath (sorry, TMI), and sleepy feeling that usually precedes a head cold. This is unfortunate because I’m really busy right now and I’m supposed to drive 5 hours on Thursday afternoon for a visit with Brynn in the Adirondaks. And I’m scheduled to visit her school library all day on Friday.

So, pray for me. I took some vitamins (including C) and even some Elderberry extract (whatever, hippie). For now, I will look at the sky in this photo I took in San Francisco and try to channel the vibe of this amazing sky.

Om, etc.

Tags: clouds, om, sick, sky.

None of these announcements are that secret but I’ve yet to address them directly on the blog. Mostly because I’m an awful blogger these days. I think a lot about writing posts but damn if I ever get them done. Anyway, updates!

Library School
I started grad school earlier this month; I am officially a Masters of Library Science candidate at the University at Buffalo. For the time being, I’ll take classes on a part-time basis and remain at my full time job. This semester I’m taking an “Introduction to Library and Information Sciences” course and a “School Media Center Experience” course. I’m going to be a busy lady and one day, I hope to be a school librarian.

The decision to go back to school for Library Science was several years in the making. I was actually going back and forth between getting an MFA or becoming a teacher. I researched programs, considered timelines, and remained in a holding pattern. Throughout this time, I watched my friend Brynn go through a Library Science masters program and complete her first two years as a school librarian. I’ve always been super interested in her work and the profession librarian community.

When I realized that I could do what she did, it was like someone hit me over the head: duh. Why didn’t I think of this sooner?

So far I’m thrilled with the material, my professors, and being back in school. I’m glad I took time off between undergrad and this Master’s program. I am a totally different student, one much better suited to graduate work.

Sean’s running for office
Yes, that’s right. Sean is running for the New York State Senate’s 58th District seat. I’ll post more information about his campaign in the future, including how you can be helpful, but for now here’s some reads:

Meet Sean Cooney, Candidate for State Senate (video)
Sean Cooney for State Senate
Challengers Line up for Stachowski
Race for 58th State Senate seat shapes up
Council aide seeks Stachowski’s seat; more expected

I’m proud of Sean for taking this challenge on and am excited to get to work on the campaign this summer. I know he will be a progressive leader and advocate for sincere, meaningful reform in the Senate.

Etsy shop opened
And finally, I opened an Etsy Shop: whitney arlene photography.The shop was one of my Mondo Beyondo dreams and I’m really proud that it’s open for operation.

If you’re interested in purchasing any photos you see here on the blog, please feel free to send me a message through Etsy and I can make arrangements.

Tags: etsy, librarian, library school, politics, school, Sean, state senate.

I. Josh preparing to take photos in Marin County, just North of San Francisco. We were driving through these lovely, winding roads on our way to the Point Reyes hostel. It was ridiculous. Fog rolled in over the hills, the light was just right (the golden hour). I look at these photos and sigh. II. Dripping icicle outside my house on a god-sent sunny day. III. Josh and the giants. In the Redwoods, off the Avenue of the Giants. We walked through these trees the same day we drove through the scene in the first photo. What an amazing 12 hours. IV. I went snowshoeing a couple weekends back with some friends. Here Shannon and Sara frolick on a frozen creek. V. Winter branches at Tifft Nature Preserve, gorgeous and frozen.

Tags: california, five photo friday, friends, Josh, sara, snowshoeing, travel, West Coast trip.

Just a little update on how my BFF Crash is doing:

Yeah, still adorable beyond belief. As my friend Karen is fond of saying, “If he was a country, his major export would be cuteness.” She’s gonna kill me now.

I took this photo of the babe when his parents came over for dinner and Wii last week. In this shot he’s watching his Uncle Sean swing an invisible baseball bat during the Homerun Derby training exercise.

Tags: baby, crash, crashers, family, sam.

I slacked on The Best of 2009 but better late than never.

Workshop or conference. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?
This question made me wish I had the opportunity to attend more workshops and conferences. I’m hopeful that my future librarian career will offer me some chances. Brynn tells me that librarian conferences are the best.

All that being said, I treated myself to an online workshop called Mondo Beyondo in October and it was fantastic. Mondo Beyondo is a 5-week online class taught by Jen Lemen and Andrea Scher about “dreaming big.” You can learn more about the class at the MB website.

Blog find of the year. That gem of a blog you can’t believe you didn’t know about until this year.
My answer is pretty embarassing: Lainey Gossip. I read celebrity gossip sometimes, shoot me. I like Lainey because she’s smart and opinionated and doesn’t take it so seriously. BACK OFF.

Album of the year. What’s rocking your world?
RAH RAH AH AH AH. ROMA RO-MAMA. GAGA OH LA LA.

The best place. A coffee shop? A pub? A retreat center? A cubicle? A nook?
Our big, fun house in the Outer Banks. It was oceanfront, had a pool, and featured an awesome kitchen/dining/living area. We had a relaxing and low-key vacation there in August.

What’s the best change you made to the place you live?
I embraced the color of my living room walls (a mustardy green called “pollination”), bought some curtains and pillows, and rearranged the furniture. It was my least favorite room in the house but now it’s the most comfortable.

Car ride. What did you see? How did it smell? Did you eat anything as you drove there? Who were you with?
West coast road trip from Portland, Oregon to San Francisco, CA with my brother. We saw the ocean, cliffs, starfish, sea anenomes, whales, sea lions, the redwood forest, deer, wild cats, sunsets, fog. We ate fish frys, veggie burgers, red bull smoothies (Josh!), coffee, trail mix.

Project. What did you start this year that you’re proud of?
My photoblog with my brother, melvin.

Web tool. It came into your work flow this year and now you couldn’t live without it. It has simplified or improved your online experience.
Google reader, hands down. It totally changed the way I read blogs and the number of them I get to. I love it and can’t imagine going back to life pre-RSS feed.

Gift. What’s a gift you gave yourself this year that has kept on giving?
Easy: my Nikon D60.

Social web moment. Did you meet someone you used to only know from her blog? Did you discover Twitter? 
I finished reading my friend Courtney’s YA novel, Cracked Up to Be in January. Courtney is a longtime, online friend. We’ve been in touch since I was in high school.

Resolution you wish you’d stuck with. (You know, there’s always next year…)
BLOG MORE. I will try friends, I really will!

Tags: #best09, 2009, best of, Best of 2009, New Years Eve, new years resolutions, resolutions.

I. Making snow angels with Sean a couple years back. Amherst State Park. II. My fabulous snowsuit, bought during my tenure at Hawthorne Valley Farm. I figured it would come in handy for those freezing, early morning animal feedings but I never wore it then. III. My street last winter, beautiful and buried. IV. Terrie during our snowshoe adventure at Amherst State Park. Clarence was at her feet even then. V. The death trap–the icy mess made by our flooding basement last winter. I’m happy to say we’ve fixed it!

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Sean and I are heading out at noon to our first of many Christmas stops. We’ll be spending this afternoon with my Dad, Terrie, Terrie’s parents, and Josh. Later we’ll head over to my Aunt Judy’s house and then drive to Canandaigua to eat dinner with Sean’s Dad, stepmom Linda, and siblings. We’ll leave Canandaigua Christmas morning and spend the afternoon with my mom. If we’re still standing, we’ll probably stop by my friend Mark’s parent’s house for some beer and darts in the basement–a holiday tradition dating back to high school.

Maybe Sean and I should get t-shirts made: Christmas Whirlwind Tour ‘09. Cities and stops include: Tonawanda, Williamsville, Eggertsville, Canandaigua, Snyder, and back home to Buffalo!

All joking aside, I’m excited and feel blessed to have so many great friends and family members to see. Happy holidays to everyone!

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December 5 – Night out. Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world?
Hands down, it’s the second night of my weekend getaway in New Orleans with Natalie and Anna.

Earlier in the day the three of us went on a bayou cruise, during which we got to hold a baby alligatorand admire the lovely back waters of Louisiana. By the time we got back to our hotel we were exhausted. We decided to take a quick nap, and instead woke up hours later. All three of us were groggy from sleep and felt like the antithesis of fun. But, because we were in New Orleans, we got dressed and walked towards the French Quarter.

Not too far in, we walked past the beautiful Monteleone hotel. Inside we could see lights, people drinking, and an elegant atmosphere. I led Natalie and Anna inside to check out the lobby, just to say we did, and after hearing the music coming from the bar we decided to poke our heads in there too. Good move on our part: it was the famous Carousel Bar!

We immediately decided to get a table and after admiring the carousel for a few minutes, we figured out that it was slowly moving around in a circle. Anna and I were still feeling groggy from the nap and ordered Irish Coffee as a pick me up. It worked, we started to feel good. We then ordered martinis.

The previous night, our first in New Orleans, we walked down Bourbon Street. You know, just to say that we did. This night, with its low lights and music and non-plastic cups, was the exact opposite and much more our style. We talked for a couple hours and were eventually joined by several of our best guy friends from high school: Mark, Scott, Brian, and Steve. They happened to be in a town for a bachelor party and sought us out in the Carousel Bar as a break from the non-stop Bourbon Street action (please note: we planned our trip first).

I don’t often get to see these friends, let alone hang out with them at a great bar in a great city. Natalie and Brian live in Boulder, Mark lived in Baltimore then and is now out West, Steve lives in Austin, and Scott is always all over the place (currently in Afghanistan). It was a very special night, the best.

This post is part of the Best of 2009 blog challenge. Please join me!

Tags: #best09, best of, Best of 2009, friends, fun, natalie, new orleans, night out, NOLA, travel.

I’m feeling festive. Last weekend Sean and I got our tree, I went Christmas shopping with my mom last night, and today we decorated our office with obnoxious stuff. My hot pink tree lives to see another season. So, photos from Holidays past:

I. My cousin Tiffany and I at Christmas Even festivities at my Aunt Judy’s. II. My cousin Nate demonstrating all he wants for Christmas (his two front teeth). III. So obscene I had to take a photo. IV. A couple of gifts a couple of years back. I love that song, so epic. V. A polaroid that still hangs in my friend Mark’s basement. We’ve got an unofficial tradition of going to Mark’s house on Christmas night after his parent’s party winds down. We hang in the basement and play darts usually, regressing back to high school days. I missed it last year, hope I won’t this year.

Tags: christmas, family, five photo friday, friends, holidays.