He's here!

Weighing 5lbs. and measuring 13in. in display width, MacBook has made it in the jessieg family yesterday evening. We couldn't be prouder. But I haven't even had time to do anything on him, or get him set up on the Internet, so he's just hanging out on my desk, ready to be deployed. Not sure when that will be, because I'm working like a dog at my full-time job, and I recently took on a freelance editing position with a local magazine, Urban Times. (Channeling Shopaholic's main character, Becky: I am a top magazine editor. A movie based on the series is coming out, if you haven't heard.) So between that and getting what is I think is a cold, but it feels more like the flu, Mr. Mac will just have to chill without getting any loving. But not to worry, I'll soon be firing up my brain and fingers to push out some prose.

Photo-worthy Kansas

I've often remarked to my husband that Kansas reminds me of Italy. Never been there, but I'm sure there are some parallels that can be drawn to the two countries' countrysides. While browsing Etsy (favorite pastime, very addictive), I discovered Jared in Kansas Fine Art Photography. This is the stuff my dream Italy is made of.

Clever posters

I'm not big on posters. They're too big, too overdone, and just too cheap looking. For the most part. Checking out my all-time-favorite picture blog Oh Joy!, I clicked on one of the rotating ad banners, the Keep Calm Gallery. These posters are so witty and clever. I want one for my cubicle at work. The "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster would fit well. The poster's message was one that harks back to WWII, but it's appropriate for work too. Some days I can almost hear the sirens going off.

Bye, bye Blueprint

Not too long ago I subscribed to the Martha Stewart-endorsed magazine Blueprint. Unlike her magazine Martha Stewart Living that delves more into topics that will interest a older generation (but I still love the design and the step-by-step food and craft instructions), Blueprint was geared for the younger (post-college, early career) women who want more designerly products and treatments. But alas, the magazine didn't make it—at least in print form. I received a post card telling me as subscriber that the print publication had ceased and that my remaining subscription will be honored with Martha Stewart Living. Another one bites the dust. I was actually pretty surprised, because this magazine struck a chord with me. I loved the edgy, fun font and the photography. The topics tended to be geared more toward young women who are into designer clothes and living in the Upper Eastside of Manhattan. A far reality cry for a mid-western mentality that includes window shopping at Old Navy and Target. Maybe it was too much eye candy.

Three degrees of Will Ferrell

Check out Will Ferrell's Funny or Die website.

That's my co-worker Eric interviewing good ole Willy on his upcoming movie Semi-Pro for Eric's website scene-stealers.com.

'She likes caulk.'

I went to see 27 Dresses with my friend Amanda this afternoon. I guess she's become my romantic comedy movie watcher friend when I can't drag hubby. The movie was pretty good. The dialog fell flat a few times, almost like the screenwriter didn't go back to polish it up, but there were some great moments and even funnier one-liners. For example, the main character Jane, who is the owner of the 27 bridesmaid dresses, tells reporter Kevin (hottie James Mardsen) how dedicated and happy she was to fulfill her duties as bridesmaid each and every 27 times, including caulking a fountain for one of the ceremonies. Kevin then says into his voice recorder, "She likes caulk." Very raunchy and funny. Somewhat predictable. It was a good girls movie.

This movie made me think back to my own wedding. Among my favorite memories is my blessed potty break. My gown was pretty voluminous, with many layers of petticoats, tulle, and silk and this long sash the length of my very long train. All these things makes it hard not to a)sit on the toilet, and b)dip some part of your dress in the toilet, which is why every bride must recruit a potty person or two, if they are available. They lift your dress and steer you...yes, steer you to the toilet. I recruited one of my older sisters for the task, and as I recall she'd already had plenty of experience helping my sister when she got married (her dress, I believe, was even larger than mine). Into the handicap stall we went. The thing about those stalls is that although they may be big enough for a bride, her dress, and her potty entourage, the toilet is always squished up against the side of the stall so other occupants may hold onto the handle bars on the wall. But this setup doesn't make it easy for the bride and very big dress. There were lots of giggles, and I just about peeped my dress, but eventually I plunked down on the toilet...almost missing the thing. In case you're wondering: I have only one bridesmaid dress in my closet. And it's not ugly.

I'm neglectful, but a fine writer

You'd think with a new year I would be resolved to write here everyday. Guess what? I'm human, and honestly I didn't have anything to write about. Well, that's probably not true, nor would I want you to believe I'm that boring that, in a span of 18 days, nothing happens in my life. (Regretfully, I think it's true.)

For the new year, I've made a rather extensive resolution list. Among the resolutions are yoga and writing more (beyond the job-related prose), so to help me along with these missions, I purchased two books: Om Yoga and The Pocket Muse. Both books are well crafted and I think they will help me with my new year's quest. So far: yoga 3, writing 0. (Writing: 1, if you count this blog entry.) Not too bad, but not particularly a good start. But I do have the whole rest of the year.

One thing that will help progress the writing front: a new computer, a laptop. In coming months, I may be purchasing this beauty. (I say may because my husband or I sometimes change our minds, so invariably, when it comes to something we thought we had decided, we back out. Not particularly strong suit, but then again, you can't say that we make rash decisions. That's a mark of maturity, some would say. I think it's a mark of an indecisive mind. Bad trait, I think.) For a while now, I've often felt that if I had a laptop (with wireless connectivity) that I could easily tote with me, sit on the couch with, curl up in bed with, I'd be a far better and more motivated writer, churning out prose by the page. If that does happen, well, I expect the biggest audience will be the fine one, two, three, maybe five of you who actually take the time to read this blog. If that's the case, it's my family, so don't they have to tell you what fine writer you are no matter what kind of crap you churn out?