Day 3: Things That Make Me Uncomfortable

When I first started typing this blog entry, I wrote about something serious and revelatory.  Those are two qualities that make my reserved personality uncomfortable. :)  So, now that is deleted and let's turn to some more light-hearted things that make me uncomfortable:

1.  pants without elastic waists

2.  couples making out in front of me, especially at concerts

3.  papercuts

4.  sex talk or sexy movie scenes in front of my family

5.  sand in my bathing suit

6.  dancing before having at least 3 glasses of wine

7.  eating too many habanero peppers
8.  turtlenecks

Day 2: A Piece of Outer Space

Blog Every Day in May, Day 2:  Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at.  See Jenni's blog for the scoop. 

I can't really think of anything I know a lot about. But, something I like to study a lot is astronomy.  Galaxies, nebula, black holes, pulsars, and so on.  I'm particularly interested in the effects of gravity in space.  Sure, this might sound nerdy.  But, I'm past the point of worrying about that.  We love what we love...pursue those things!  And, if you ever want to talk astronomy, give me a call.

But, for this moment, I present just one of my favorite objects in outer space:

Enceladus.  One of Saturn's 53 natural moons.  It has one of the most reflective surfaces in our solar system due to its icy surface. The northern hemisphere is largely cratered, which suggests the surface materials are older. However, the southern hemisphere is smoother and has the distinct blue tiger stripes, depressions which perhaps suggest tectonic activity.

My favorite part about Enceladus--the part that makes me all science nerd giddy--is this:

Y'all those are geysers.  Enceladus' core is likely not still hot enough for these to be the volcanoes we know on Earth (though some scientists believe this is possible.)  Instead, it is perhaps its elliptical orbit and the pull of gravity on it--by Saturn and possibly other moons--that causes these geysers.  As the water leaves the geysers, it turns into snow and ice which becomes...part of Saturn's E ring.  This moon helps create one of Saturn's rings! Isn't this just wonderful?

I want to go to outer space so bad.  Until the happens, I'll just keep learning as much as I can about it.  Hope you have enjoyed this galactic tale.

Day 1: Me in < 250 Words

Note: I'm participating in Jenni's "Blog Every Day Challenge". You should too.

Daughter, sister,
niece, cousin, and friend.

Dreamer, seer,
music in my soul.

Teacher, student,
longing to know all.

Learner, reader,
reluctant leader.

Quiet, silent,
sometimes redundant.

Love people, rain,
all the galaxies.

Writing, typing,
these thoughts in my mind.

40 Shows in 52 Weeks

In the comments section of a music article, I read about a man whose goal was to see 42 music shows in 2012--the year he turned 42.  I think setting a music goal is fabulous so I decided to set one. I am not 42. :)  However, since I'm a huge music fan in a city with tons of live music, I aimed high and set a similar goal of 42 bands/musicians in 52 weeks. Along the way, I'd like to document as many as possible on the blog.  Maybe finally have a reason to keep coming around here.

Whiskey Shivers and Marmalakes 
Free Week//Mohawk//Austin, Texas
January 2013

(all pictures are iPhone and are great for Instragram, but pardon the quality on Blogger.)

Free Week is the first week (though it seems to now be two weeks!) of January and a chance to catch so many great local bands.  There is an incredible amount of talent in this city and it's so amazing to see the support they get from local venues and music fans.  Either of these bands is worth seeing anytime and anywhere!

Whiskey Shivers

above and below: Marmalakes

End-of-Year and End-of-Book Quotes

I am taking these quotes from this NPR article.  They are going here since I want to remember them and don't have any other place at this moment to preserve them.

"His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."  (James Joyce, The Dead)

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.

I am haunted by waters." (Norman McLean, A River Runs Through It)

"But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive, for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts, and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life and rest in unvisited tombs." (George Eliot, Middlemarch)

To Whole Foods to Study

Hello, friends.  Next week, is my first college exam in a while.  Two summers ago, I took a Plant Biology course, so it hasn't been too terribly long.  Plus--did you know this dear blog readers--that I study for fun?  In 2012, I've been studying for the GRE and brushing up on Precalculus and Physics.  Yes, this is fun for me and I embrace every fabulous learning moment.  And, since I'm always honest with you, I'll admit that I like the challenge of a college test.  So, I can't say I'm complaining.

Tomorrow, the forecast is cloudy and a little cool, so I'm going to head to Whole Foods to make my flash cards and drink some coffee.  The real-life outfit is still TBD, but I like to imagine it will be something like this:

Fat Face navy hoody, $67 / Acne boot cut jeans / Converse shoes, $68 / Crafted Messenger Bag, $40

First Day of School

Every semester, I'm allowed to take one university course for free.  I've only taken advantage of this once (hooray for Biology!)  Work is too stressful and my schedule too packed to fit in a course.

However, this semester I decided to go for it and take Art History:  Introduction to Visual Art.  Just because. I love learning and love art and design.  There have been several times when I have debated dropping it (usually when I received another work project or realized I have about 100 pages of reading and numerous flashcards to make weekly.)  But, I really want to try to make it through this one!

My class is held in the Art Building and, mixed in with the usual college t's and jeans, you can usually see some pretty awesome outfits.  Here is a little back-to-school outfit I put together...now back to the books!

Oasis dress, $76 / Orange trench coat / Matiko wingtip oxford / Proenza Schouler metallic handbag, $2,170 / Ela Stone butterfly earrings, $72 / Goorin Bros. goorin bros hat / Spiral Notebook - You & Me