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Well, no tree lighting for me tonight. Have you ever felt like you are a pawn in a really awful game of monopoly? One where you are constantly drawing bad "chance cards" sending you into financial struggles, or losing turns that you really needed to take so you could "pass go," or having to choose what to mortgage when you are rotten at math anyways? Well, this (world's largest ) monopoly board is my life in NY, and for some reason, I have sucked at dice rolling! Sure there are occasional "chance" or "community chest" cards that are good, such as:

- "You've won a new bike for buying a certain brand of cheese at a particular grocery store regardless of the fact that you never entered a contest!"

- "You've accepted a better job. Advance 5 spaces."

... But usually my "chance" cards read more like this:

- "Your husband's boss did not come in to work yesterday, so your husband could not work. Advance to "Luxury Taxes" and be happy you bought groceries last week."

- "You have 3 large term papers, 4 presentations, a handfull of smaller papers, no motivation, and until December 19th to have everything complete. Go directly to "Jail" and have all priviledges revoked until you finish."

- "Your best friend moves to South Africa. Go back to "Luxury Taxes" because calling is too expensive."

- "Your school is run by people who have Cracker Jack Prize degrees and you must contact 6 different people to overcome 1 issue. (And naturally, no one is held accountable.) Pay each player $2,250 per class you've taken. And be happy about it or else we'll fail you."

- "Your husband has a bizarre staph infection. Pay the hospital $1000 for your mental anguish and his antibiotics."

I think you get the picture. Hence no lighting ceremony for me tonight. Well, maybe I'll catch it on the tube. (Question to fester in your minds - Is sight-seeing an appropriate response to placement misery? WWJD? What would Jonah do? I bet Nineveh had a wax museum.)

Rockefeller Tree - Oh La La!

Rockefeller Andy
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

Wednesday is the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center! I am so excited about it. Tim and I are going to try and go down there to soak in one more touristy event. We are going to be there to watch as they light up 30,000 lights on that 74-foot Norway Spruce. Yeah, you thought we were crazy to go to the Macy's Parade? Well this will be worse, I fear. Thousands of people crammed into narrow alleys between skyscrapers, leering and jeering, trying to catch a glimpse of good ole' Regis Philbin. There will probably be pushing and pulling, but isn't everything that way in the city?!? Besides, what better way to put you into the Christmas spirit?!? (I jest.) Anyways, attending this event is on my NY list of things to do, so it is now or never. (For a bit of Rockefeller Tree history, go here.)

By the way, this is a picture from last year of me and my little brother Andy. (Isn't he a cutie? Sorry ladies, he has a girlfriend!) Hopefully, I will be able to get a picture of ALL of my family in front of the tree this year!

The Trove

Trove Entrance
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

Today I got to visit this really neat Children's Library called "The Trove" in White Plains; which is not too far away from me. It just opened, so they are still unpacking boxes from their move and hanging signs, but I was so amazed at what they did with this space! A theater set designer helped with the architecture (so I am told) and I tell you, talk about dramatic! This is a very creative, very visual area with a really nice blend of old-school library style mixed up with new and innovative ideas. They have all kinds of programming space and interesting display areas in between bookshelves and more bookshelves. Visit the website to see what they are all about. (This is where I want to work when I grow up!)

So Happy Turkey Day to everyone. I finally got my pictures posted of the parade. (I let my personal life get in the way of blogging! How dare I!) Well, about the parade, that was totally a ONCE in a lifetime thing and I have now checked it off the list. Tim is so great to brave the crowds with me! (We've learned the proper NY way of elbowing people who infringe on the sacred person-space sphere.)

The parade was great in person, but it televises even better. I realized that this year was the first time I had even watched the WHOLE parade! (Captive Audience) We got to see all the balloons and floats, some of the performing bands, but none of the main live performances (i.e. Rockettes, Broadway Songs, etc.). On the contrary, we did get to witness a bit of history and aspects of the show that never make it to T.V. such as Barney's ripped up leg and the M&M catastrophe. In fact, we were in viewing distance from the frightening sight. (Check out my fotopage for some of the pictures.) Can I just say that sirens and Christmas songs do not mesh well? The two blended together tend to leave a nauseating feeling of something not being quite right in the world. I am so glad that the two girls are going to be okay. The whole situation was pretty haunting, especially how the rest of the parade was sort of rushed at the end. Boy, were we all glad to see Santa!

All in all, it was a very different Thanksgiving this year. This was the first time that Tim and I have spent this holiday alone. It was the first time we'd seen the parade in person, and not on television. It was also the first time that I've had chinese food for lunch on this holiday! (We heard that Chinatown was full of Thanksgiving weddings, so we headed down that way after the parade to see for ourselves... Yeah, we were mistaken.) And it was the first time we had to make our own turkey this year! (We did Thanksgiving DINNER and didn't realize that our turkey would take 2 hours to cook. It was more like Thanksgiving Midnight Snack. Ahh Yeah.) But all in all, I am a thankful person. I am thankfull for all my new Thanksgiving memories.

Click here for pictures of the night before the parade...

Super Grover

Super Grover
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

Had a late night tonight! Timmy and I went out to watch the Macy's people prepare for the parade tomorrow and watch them blow up balloons. It was so crowded, but well worth the trip! I've always been fascinated (like everyone else on the planet) as to how they put these things together. We hung out with one of the Macy's guys who said some of the bigger balloons have up to 12 different air chambers. Crazy. Well, keep an eye out for the new Chicken Little balloon; he is seriously cute! (I will post more pictures tomorrow, too, of tonight and also of the parade...)

Librarian Land...

I went on a field trip today for my Art Libraries class to the Yale Arts Library to see the Arts of the Book Collection , to the Art + Architecture Library , and to the Center for British Arts . The tour was with ARLIS, so we got to visit places the public don't get to visit and handle materials that don't normally see light. It was pretty amazing - one of those times in your life where you feel completely out of your league so you stand there quietly amongst museum librarians and pray to God that they don't ask you a question.

The Yale Campus and New Haven is really beautiful; full of eager looking people sporting college sweatshirts and hats. I don't want to sound bitter, but I suppose if I was paying as much for my degree that I would also be as "school spirited." (But maybe it had something to do with the Yale vs. Harvard game today, too.) It was just nice to walk around and pretend to fit in, minus the Yale attire. For lunch, I got all mad-crazy and had Indian food! Tim would have been proud! So I have now satisfied my monthly "try-something-new" resolution. (Every month, since January, I make myself try something "new;" this time it was curry freakish chicken stuff and spinach something and whatever else that was a pretty color at the buffet.) Surprisingly, I liked it!

Some of the highlights of the day: drinking expensive chardonnay in a crystal goblet in an art museum while being surrounded by leather couches and beautiful artwork and people who know way more than me, getting a sweet bookmark that is #10 of 100 in an exhibition encouraging the use of book art, getting to make a new friend (Hi MaryEllen!), and getting to handle books that only important grown-ups get to touch - such as an original edition of Josef Albers' Interaction of Color and other such landmark titles.

Birthday Boy

Birthday boy
Originally uploaded by becky b..

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday - check him out. Ahh yeah. Although Jerry no longer sports this look (this is back from his "Airborne" 80's rock band days), he is an awesome addition to my family. Anyone who can sport an all-natural curly mullet is tops in my book. Plus the fact that when I call, he says, "hey sis!" I love that! Happy birthday, Jerry!

Happy Birthday Momma

High School Pic - Mom
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

My mom's birthday is coming up - this Saturday. I've been thinking about her all week and gearing up to see her for Christmas this year. I am hugely excited to have my whole family in the same place at the same time, we haven't ALL been together in forever. And Christmas is her favorite holiday, so it will be really special.
My mom is an incredible woman. She fills people with laughter and is full of compassion. She is always such a hard worker and she doesn't complain about the hardships she's had to face - especially since they've moved to VA. I really admire her strength and courage and wish her a birthday full of her favorite things, from holiday lights to good friends and fellowship.

Sorry that I really haven't blogged much in the past week or so. Overworked and underpaid. And this week's forecast looks even worse! I've got three papers due, an important interview on Tuesday, insane amounts of reading, and the only day I have off - tomorrow - has already been committed to helping with costumes for this theatre. Ack. It's no wonder that I have a horrid cold!

Cowgirl Ruth

Cowgirl Ruth
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

On rainy days, one cannot help but be reflective. Today I am thinking about friends and all the people I miss. Moving is so difficult, having to pull up roots and be transplanted. But I love the sunlight I get from hearing from old friends! It is like a dose of Miracle Grow. This is a picture of good ole Ruthie in her ruby red cowgirl hat! Miss you, girl!

Ever had one of these days? I hate Saturday classes. I have the pleasure of driving down to LIU at the butt-crack of dawn and by the time I leave, it is dark. It puts new meaning into "from dawn till dusk." (Actually, I think it is supposed to be the other way around, but then I couldn't use it...) Good grief! Speaking of overwhelmed, did anyone out there realize that the term "Art Book" does not just mean a book with art in it?!? And that "Municipal Libraries" aren't allowed to fundraise? My brain is full of useless knowledge. Wasn't Saturday designed to be an unwind day?!?

Little Flower

Little Flower
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

I love Halloween. Regardless of whether I am the only one who ever dresses up (which is USUALLY the case)or whether or not I get to spend it with friends, it will always be my favorite holiday. On this holiday seven years ago, Tim proposed to me (BTW - Congrats to Joe & Sarah!!! I am so happy for you two!). Every Halloween since has been a memorable one. This Halloween, I wish I could have been here or even here! But I must say, we did celebrate in style with some Candy Corn Jones Soda. (You can see Tim's reaction here...)

Halloween... A time for laughing and playing dress-up, a time for visiting friends and hearing scary stories, a time for apple cider and caramel apples (and anything else apple), a time for treats and a time for tricks, a time for pumpkin carving and pumpkin eating, a time for falling leaves and crisp autumn days, a time for memories of costumes past and costumes future, a time for the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and freaky folk singers... Wha? Yes, everyone needs a little bit of funky folk this season. (Isn't she great?) See more of our adventure to Sunnyside, Washington Irving's home, right here...