Monday, May 27, 2013

Motley Memorial Monday Links

Oh hai, guys! I'm about to make a bunch of updates, but I figured I'd kick things off by getting back to Motley Monday Links. Happy Memorial Day!

Do you sometimes just need your finger to be a bird? Make it happen with free finger puppet printables!

Horrible Monsanto finally found guilty of some awful stuff in at least one country. Get on it already, U.S.

I can't describe this any better than the headline already: Physicists create quantum link between photons that don't exist at the same time. What.

Really excited to see this year's Palme d'Or winner, "Blue is the Warmest Color." 

"I admit to being, at times
Suddenly, and without the slightest warning,
Exceedingly happy."

101 in 1001 2010-2013 Final Update

I finished my first 101 in 1001 challenge on April 1, 2013. At that time, I was having a bit of a rough go of things, so I never got around to updating the blog. So, here you are. The final list of completed, half-completed, and not completed. With notes! Some of the not completed ones will be going on my next list (yes, there will be another list! It never ends!).

1) Go Cajun Dancing.
Despite finding places that offered Cajun dancing, time conflicts (and, let's be honest, an increasing unwillingness to dance in public that was in direct correlation with the time elapsed from when I had lessons) got in the way. I'd still like to go at some point. After a few stiff whiskey drinks for courage.

2) Sing Karaoke. (June 2011)

3) Write a letter to a celebrity and ask for an autograph.
It turned out that I didn't much care about doing this. I never settled on a celebrity that I was dying to write. Ani DiFranco came close, but I felt weird about asking for an autograph from her.

4) Eat at a 4 or 5 star restaurant.
The problem I ran into with this one was bad research. I didn't realize at the time I made the list that the only 4-star restaurant in Louisiana is Bayona. Which just so happens to be the restaurant that Richie quit, so going there for dinner wasn't going to happen. I almost went during the Coolinary last year, but it didn't work out. I still hold out hope that Erin and I can one day afford to go to Alinea.

5) Learn to play Guitar Hero on Hard.
I quickly lost interest in even attempting this and then the Xbox died. Oh well.

6) Design a new tattoo or get some color in my existing one. (March 2012)

7) Buy one piece of art.
I actually almost completed this one, but Richie and I have been talking about buying a house and I decided I'd like to wait until we buy something and decorate, before investing in art. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

8) Grow my hair below my shoulder blades. (December 2012)

9) Attain a Master's Degree. (May 2012)

10) Get straight A's FAIL

11) Apply to 5 MA/Ph.D programs that I really want to attend. (January 2012)
I'm probably going to apply to 1 or 2 copout schools, but I don't want to cheat myself out of applying to some good schools on the off-chance I could get in.
1) The Ohio State University (December 2011)
2) Louisiana State University (December 2011)
3) Stanford University (January 2012)
4) Indiana University Bloomington (January 2012)
5) Rutgers'(January 2012)
6) Vanderbilt University (January 2012)

12) Adopt an animal from a shelter.
So, as it turns out, Marla hates other animals. Then she got it into her head that change should equal PEEING ON ALL THE THINGS. Richie and I would still like to get a dog (okay, we want about 3 dogs, another cat, some fish, and an indoor rabbit), but we're very hesitant about it and it (obviously) hasn't happened yet.

13) Learn to change the oil in my car.
Richie showed me HOW to do this, but we couldn't find a wrench to release the nut holding in the oil, so we had to take it to a professional. I'm marking this one as a half-completed, because I know what to do, just haven't had the hands on experience.

14) Finish my correspondence course. FAIL

15) Brush up on my French enough to hold a short conversation.
I don't even know why I put this on here. Lofty goals. I knew it wasn't going to happen.

16) Donate $100 a year to charity. (March 2013)
I have a few charities I'd like to donate to, so this won't be a lump sum anywhere, but donating a little here and there is better than nothing at all.
2010-2011
Planned Parenthood- $25 (Feb. 2011)
New Orleans Food Cooperative- $20 (May 2011)
STAIR- $20 (June 2011)
ARNO- $15 (July 2011)
Covenant House New Orleans- $10 (July 2011)
Amnesty International- $10 (July 2011)

2011-2012
NARAL- $20 (August 2011)
Louisiana Partnership for the Arts- $10 (October 2011)
STAIR- $15 (January 2012)
The Hunger Project- $15 (March 2012)
World Wildlife Fund- $16 (April 2012)
RAINN- $35 (June 2012)

2012-2013
STAIR- $20 (January 2013)
Doctors Without Borders - $30(January 2013)
NOLA's Most Badass Assault Survivor- $20 (February 2013)
Planned Parenthood- $30 (March 2013)

17) Get another ear piercing. (November 2010)

18) Read 10 books from the Bloom Canon.
I'm going to allow these to include assigned books but not anything I've read before.
1) Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice (October 2010)
2) Voltaire Candide (January 2011)
3) Mark Twain A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (April 2011)
4) William James The Varieties of Religious Experience(June 2011)
5) D.H. Lawrence Sons and Lovers (August 2011)
6) Carson McCullers The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (March 2012)
7) Ernest Hemingway A Farewell to Arms (March 2012)
8) Fyodor Dostoyevsky The Brothers Karamazov (June 2012)
9) Virgina Woolf Mrs. Dalloway (March 2013)
10) Gertrude Stein Tender Buttons (March 2013)

19) Read 1 unassigned book per month.
July '10- Ann Patchett Run
August '10- Alice Munro Lives of Girls and Women
September '10- John Berendt Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
October '10- Stuart Berman This Book is Broken: A Broken Social Scene Story
November '10- Paule Marshall Praisesong for the Widow
December '10- Richard Yates Revolutionary Road
January '11- Neil White In the Sanctuary of Outcasts
February '11- Terry Moore Strangers in Paradise, Vol. 1
March '11- Terry Moore Strangers in Paradise, Vol. 2
April '11- Milan Kundera Slowness
May '11- Margaret Atwood The Penelopiad
June '11- Linda Olsson Astrid and Veronika
July '11- John Knowles A Separate Peace
August '11- T.C. Boyle The Women
September '11- Molly Wizenberg A Homemade Life
October '11- Stephen King Hearts in Atlantis
November '11- Moira Crone A Period of Confinement
December '11- Carson McCullers The Member of the Wedding
January '12- Jonathan Franzen Freedom
February '12- Pam Houston Waltzing the Cat
March '12- George Saunders Pastoralia
April '12- Kim Edwards The Memory Keeper's Daughter
May '12- Susan Orlean The Orchid Thief
June '12- Julia Reed Queen of the Turtle Derby and Other Southern Phenomena
July '12- Poppy Z. Brite Liquor
August '12- Poppy Z. Brite Prime
September '12- Joan Didion The Year of Magical Thinking
October '12- Philippe Aries Western Attitudes Toward Death: From the Middle Ages to the Present
November '12- Jeffrey Eugenides The Marriage Plot
December '12- Larry Watson Montana 1948
January '13- Susie Bright The Best American Erotica 2003
February '13- Sharyn Graham Davies Challenging Gender Norms: Five Genders Among Bugis in Indonesia
March '13- Gertrude Stein Three Lives

20) Get a spa facial.
Turns out a spa facial that isn't LASERS and microdermabrasion and shit is actually difficult to find. And the aforementioned isn't at all what I had in mind.

21) Go to The Dinner Bell with a group of friends.
Schedules :/

22) Make a family tree.
I got some of the research done for this, then never finished it. I still can't make up my mind about parameters.

23) See 26 movies I've never seen, starting with each letter of the alphabet. (February 2013)
I saw this idea on the Day Zero Project website. I need to make a list of movies I want to see now!
A- Ajami (2009) (October 2010)
B- The Blind Side (2009) (January 2011)
C- Citizen Kane (1941) (August 2011
D- Date Night (2010) (August 2010)
E- Effi Briest (1974) (October 2010)
F- The Fighter (2010) (May 2011)
G- The Girl on the Bridge (1999) (November 2010)
H- How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) (August 2010)
I- Inception (2010) (July 2010)
J- Jakob the Liar (1999) (November 2011)
K- Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) (September 2012)
L- Louder Than Bombs (Glosniej od bomb) (2001) (September 2010)
M- Men Who Stare At Goats (2009) (July 2010)
N- Nine to Five (1980) (December 2012)
O- On the Waterfront (1954) (November 2012)
P- Pickpocket (1959) (November 2010)
Q- The Quiet Earth (1985) (February 2013)
R- Raising Arizona (1987) (July 2010)
S- Storytelling (2001) (July 2010)
T- There Will Be Blood (2007) (October 2012)
U- The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) (October 2012)
V- Volcano (1997) (October 2010)
W- Walk the Line (2005) (January 2012)
X- X: Night of Vengeance (2011) (December 2012)
Y- Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) (February 2013)
Z- Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) (November 2011)

24) Learn 1 new word a week.
I don't mean reading the Word of the Day on dictionary.com and promptly forgetting it. I want to really learn a new word. That said, I might use Word of the Day to discover new words.
2010 words
2011 words
2012 words
Accouchement- A confinement during childbirth; a lying-in
Vagulous- Wayward, vague, wavering (also coined by V. Woolf)
Zenick- A South African burrowing mammal (Suricata tetradactyla), allied to the civets. It is grayish brown, with yellowish transverse stripes on the back. Called also suricat
Aliquot- a method of measuring ingredients below the sensitivity of a scale by proportional dilution with inactive ingredients
Ephebophilia- the primary or exclusive adult sexual interest in mid-to-late adolescents, generally ages 15 to 19. The term was originally used in the late 19th to mid 20th century.
Thalassocracy- dominion over the seas, as in exploration, trade, or colonization.
Poioumenon- a term coined by Alastair Fowler to refer to a specific type of metafiction in which the story is about the process of creation
Mainour- a stolen article found on the person of or near the thief
Lucubration- laborious work, study, thought, etc., especially at night
Orectic- of or pertaining to desire; appetitive
Myrmidon- a person who executes without question or scruple a master's commands
Bibelot- a small object of curiosity, beauty, or rarity.

25) Find a lipstick and liner that I like. (February 2013)
Did it! Revlon's Teak Rose! WINNER.


26) Take all my medication exactly as directed for 2 months. (April 2011)
This sounds pretty self-explanatory and some of you are probably like "Two months?! What about always?!" But I'm on a whole load of medication and I'm terrible about taking it as directed, not only due to forgetfulness but because sometimes the side effects are too discouraging. I'm hoping that a 2 month period will sort of lead into a longer period (but not forever, because I hate this shit.)


27) Regularly volunteer somewhere. (October 2012)


28) See all of these Mindfuck movies.
Spellbound (1945)
Rashomon (1950)
La Jetee (1962) (December 2011)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Solyaris (1972)
Videodrome (1983)
The Quiet Earth (1985) (February 2013)
Jacob's Ladder (1990) (June 2011)
The Game (1997) (July 2010)
Abre los ojos (1997)
Cube (1997)
Dark City (1998)
Memento (2000)
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
Donnie Darko (2001)
Primer (2004) (January 2012)
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) (February 2012)


29) Go on a date. (November 2010)

30) Make a recipe book.
Never got around to this one :/ I got the book, then thought maybe a box system would be better and, basically, my indecisiveness strikes again. Definitely one for the next list. 

31) Have a slumber party. (March 2011)

32) Go to a major sporting event. (February 2012)

33) Donate blood twice a year. 
Unfortunately, my low iron levels got in the way of this goal.

34) Lose 30 pounds.
Easily the most frustrating item on this list. I was well on my way to this goal right after I move to New Orleans. Within 10 pounds of it. Then I got regular employment, went off all my meds, fell back into bad eating habits, stopped walking as much, got frustrated with exercise attempts that weren't working (in large part because I had gone off my meds), diets that caused my already screwed up blood sugar to plummet (were you wondering what happened to the cleanse? It stopped because my blood sugar levels went insane and my already low blood pressure plummeted, to the point where I was medically advised to stop). Also, in general, I have bad exercise and eating habits. So now, I'm back on my way, but I have a ways to go. Still trying.

35) Give up soft drinks for 2 months. (November 2011)

36) Do 200 sit-ups in one sitting.
Yeah, that just didn't happen. I get so worked up about completing an exercise goal, that I psyche myself out and don't do it. Not sure if this will go on the next list.

37) Learn to use the weights at my gym.
See above.

38) Run 5 miles.
I didn't quite make 5 miles (again, see above), but I got to two on the treadmill and I'm still working toward it.

39) Make a cheesecake. (February 2012)

40) Have a Sazerac at The Roosevelt Hotel. (March 2012)

41) Go fishing. (June 2011)

42) Take some photos of my brother and me for my parents. (December 2012)

43) Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years.
This is another one that I just...lost interest in. I still think it's a neat idea and I'm not opposed to doing it, but I feel like I'm keeping a pretty decent record here. Plus, if I wanted to go more in depth, it would take more than one letter. More like a journal. Then, where would I keep it that I wouldn't forget about it in ten years? Logistics, man.

44) Organize my iTunes.
I switched computers, started working on this, got fed up with how much didn't transfer and now IT'S EVEN WORSE. Definitely an item for next list.

45) Go to at least 3 states I've never visited before.
Preferred states are Oregon, Montana and Maine.
1) Indiana (July 2011)
2) Michigan (July 2011)
ONE SHORT. Dammit.

46) Walk in a second-line parade. (August 2011)

47) Build 1 piece of furniture for myself.
I could never decide on what I wanted to build. Richie even bought us a circular saw and it still didn't happen. Maybe one for next list.

48) Host dinner for my parents. (December 2012)

49) Delete my Myspace, LinkedIn and OK Cupid profiles. (July 2010)

50) Go to the Christmas Eve bonfires in St. James parish. (December 2010)

51) Have a palm reading.
That shit is expensive.

52) Open a new bank account. (August 2010)

53) Submit at least 7 poems for publication.
No excuse. Just haven't much felt like writing. I did a little, but nothing worthy of publication and lacked motivation to do more.

54) Write 2 non-fiction pieces, Brevity-style.
See above.

55) Cook 10 challenging dishes from celebrated chefs.
Challenging meaning some combination of difficult ingredients, new techniques, fussiness and long periods. The chefs I have in mind, so far, are Thomas Keller, Julia Childs, Alice Waters, James Beard and Suzanne Goins.
1) Devil's Chicken Thighs over Braised Leeks from Suzanne Goin's Sunday Suppers at Lucques (August 2010)
2) Julia Child's Chocolate Mousse (July 2012)
3) Susan Spicer's Vegetable Polenta Gratin with Garlic Confit (January 2013)
4) Thomas Keller's Cornish Hens with Swiss Chard, Nuts, and Raisins
5) Judy Witts' Panna Cotta


56) Cook a dish with one ingredient I've never used. (May 2011)

57) Make 3 food items I'd normally buy ready-made. (June 2012)
1) Harissa (February 2012)
2) Yogurt (May 2012)
3) Duck Sauce (June 2012)

58) Visit another country.
Just wasn't in the cards, money-wise. But going on the next list :)

59) Learn to play my guitar.
Another item where my intimidating about failing kept me from doing anything at all. Stupid.

60) Grow a vegetable. (June 2012)

61) Start a herb garden. (April 2012)

62) Visit 10 historical sites in New Orleans.
This may or may not include revisiting Marie Laveau's grave.
1) Preservation Hall (September 2010)
2) Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (September 2010)
3) Antoine's Restaurant (December 2011)
4) Old U.S. Mint (March 2013)

63) Make 1 item of clothing for myself. (March 2013)

64) Make an apron.
When I told my grandma I wanted to make an apron, she gave me some. Then Erin gave me an apron for a birthday. Suddenly, I didn't need another apron.

65) Make some curtain sets. (March 2013)

66) Fly a kite.
DO YOU KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO LOCATE A KITE IN THIS CITY? WTF.

67) Learn to make 6 different cocktails from memory. (February 2013)
1) Pimm's Cup (October 2010)
2) Jack and Ginger (August 2011)
3) Pinewood Drifter (March 2012)
4) The 1st Jewel (June 2012)
5) Jasmine (June 2012)
6) Stormy Nights- Kraken Rum, Mango Ginger simple syrup, club soda (February 2013)

68) Have a well-stocked home bar.
Overall, I met this goal, but never at one time. We keep drinking everything :/

69) Buy a set of lingerie. (October 2011)

70) Discover 5 new-to-me poets. (March 2012)
Recommendations welcome!
1) Dan Beachy Quick (May 2011)
2) Kate Daniels (July 2011)
3) Marie Howe (October 2011)
4) Juliet Cook (March 2012)
5) Naoko Fujimoto (March 2012)

71) Get rid of all my non-stick cookware (except one pan). (December 2011)

72) Make a piece of pottery.
Another one that I lost interest in shortly after adding it to the list.

73) Create an organized filing system for important documents. (October 2010)

74) Get a framed copy of my diploma.
I blame my mom for this one! She's been telling me since 2010 that she'd get my diplomas framed, and they're still in drawers. One day.

75) Get a New Orleans library card. (August 2010)

76) Take one really great photo to display in my home. (July 2011)

77) Write at least 5 letters (each) to Erin and Mike.
Erin- 1 (August 2011)
Turns out, I talk to those two enough that letters aren't necessary. :p

78) Learn to belly dance.
Classes for this are way too expensive for me to afford. I was going to get a DVD, but I decided to spend that money on going to the gym instead.

79) Visit The Museum of the Gulf Coast.
I would've done this if I had gotten a new car when I was supposed to, but the Mazda isn't going to make that trip.

80) Update and start reusing iCal. (September 2010)

81) Write down all purchases for 1 month and look at where I can cut expenses. (May 2012)

82) Pay off my Visa and find a card with lower interest rates. (May 2011)

83) Review 20 places on Yelp! and/or Urbanspoon. (December 2011)
I always check these sites for reviews but rarely review things myself. If I'm going to use them, I should contribute as well.
1) Oak St. Cafe (Dec. 10)
2) Dooky Chase (Dec. 10)
3) GLUE Clothing Exchange ( Jan. '11)
4) Elizabeth's (May '11)
5) Z'otz (May '11)
6) The Massage Emporium (May '11)
7) Pal's Lounge (May '11)
8) PURE Yogurt Culture (May '11)
9) Cowbell (April '11)
10) Maple St. Patisserie (June '11)
11) Little Tokyo Noodle Bar ( June '11)
12) Azalea Lakes Veterinary Clinic (June '11)
13) The Ruby Slipper Cafe (October '11)
14) Oak (October '11)
15) The Lucky Ladle (October '11)
16) Back To The Garden (November 2011)
17) Cochon (November 2011)
18) Hey! Cafe (December 2011)
19) Katie's Restaurant (December 2011)
20) Verti Marte (December 2011)

84) Go 1 month without buying coffee.
Yeah, no.

85) Attend at least 1 music festival a year. 
2010- Pitchfork (July 2010)
2011- Festivale International (April 2011)
Voodoo Fest (October 2011)
2012- French Quarter Fest (April 2012)
2013- French Quarter Fest (April 2013) (counting it, because it's difficult to get a music fest in with such a short period!)

86) Crochet or knit a scarf for myself. (February 2013)

87) Drink 2 liters of water a day for 2 months.
Still a habit I can't consistently keep.

88) Go to all the major Mardi Gras parades. (February 2012)
I've been to many of these but not all and no better time to do this than while I'm living in New Orleans.
Krewe du Vieux (Feb. '11)
Carrollton  (Feb '12)
Muses (Feb '12)
Endymion (Mar. '11)
Thoth (Mar. '11)
Bacchus (Mar. '11)
Proteus (Feb '12)
Orpheus (Feb '12)
Zulu (Feb '12)
Rex (Feb '12)

89) Visit a National Memorial or Site.
Money and time were against this happening. And a faulty radiator.

90) Go back to San Francisco.
See above.

91) Upload and organize all my digital photos.
This project suffered the same fate as the iTunes organization. When I got a new computer, everything got scattered again. The prospect of dealing with both is almost nightmarish in scope now. Eventually.

92) Print out some photos for framing and scrapbooks.
Didn't happen because above.

93) Become more familiar with local and federal politicians and vote in all major elections. FAIL (sorta)

94) Visit family graves once a year. FAIL.
See: radiator.

95) Take a road trip to an unfamiliar city and spend at least 5 hours there. (August 2011)


96) Attend 10 cultural events. (December 2012)
I'm defining this as plays, ballet, renowned musicians and art shows.
1) No Exit (from the Zombie Apocalypse) (December 2010)
2) Macbeth (January 2011)
3) Save Our Souls (October 2011)
4) Baton Rouge Gallery's Surreal Salon IV (January 2012)
5) Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra- Shostakovich Sympony No. 1 (February 2012)
6) Reinventing Radio: An Evening With Ira Glass (March 2012)
7) The Lion King (March 2012)
8) "A Brief and Sensational history of 'The Mascot,' Notorious Newspaper of New Orleans' Gilded Age" (May 2012)
9) "History of Prostitution in New Orleans" (August 2012)
10) The Nutcracker (December 2012)

97) Take the GREs, both the general and the literature. (November 2011)

98) Pay off my 1st student loan and 1/4 of the 2nd one.
I paid off the first one, but didn't quite get to 1/4 of the second one.

99) Go on a camping trip.
This was planned a number of times and fell through for various reasons. It's still something I'd like to do.

100) Don't eat out for 1 month.
I hold that this is almost impossible to do in New Orleans.

101) Host a fancy dress party. (November 2011)


So, there you have it! What have I learned from this? That I'm indecisive, afraid to fail, need a new car, need to maybe manage my time better, and keep my expectations in check. On a happier note, I'm happy that I achieved what I did. This list pushed me to do some things that I wasn't motivated to do otherwise and provided a measure of accountability. It was also just fun to do. I love lists, so the whole process of monthly updates was something I enjoyed doing. I never expected that I would complete the whole list. I would have liked to get more done, but maybe that'll happen with the next list. That list is better planned than this one was, and hopefully I'll see more progress with it.

Until next time!