Gettin' My Vote On!

Well, it’s here – Election Day 2012.  I got up early today and reported to my precinct’s polling place to vote.  Since I didn’t report my address change when I moved, I had to fill out a provisional ballot but my vote still counts! 

I have two treasured possessions in my personal archives – my grandfather’s passport and my grandmother’s voter registration card.  When my grandmother was born, women in this country didn't have the right to vote.  She was 12 when the 19th Amendment was ratified.  

This is her (last) voter registration card:

Even though she's no longer with us, I "redacted"
her personal informaion and political affiliation!

Like all women, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the brave suffragettes who fought to give us the right to vote.  

So, in honor the women who came before us, if you haven't voted yet today, go vote!  It's our civic duty! 

We Are Family

This photograph intrigued me as a kid.  Taken on an Easter morning in the late 1950s, it captures my mother and my mother’s mother and cousins whom I never knew as bow-tied, suspendered, frilly-dress wearing children but who, as adults, played big parts in my own childhood.  I used to ask my mom who was who.  “That’s Stephen, and Bill but not Bill Schellhardt, Bill Knuttel, and that’s Bobby and Nanny’s holding Jimmy…” and my mom would name each one and in my mind I would pair up my cousins’ adult faces with their child faces. 

Then we would get to the two little girls whom I didn’t know.  “That’s Gaby and Gitte,” my mom explained.  “They’re cousins too.”  And she would attempt to explain the familial lines that related me to them.    

In a family in which distinctions have never really been made as to who was once removed, who was a second, or who was five times removed and adopted by Great-Grandpa's half-sister…in a family in which cousins are just cousins – although never kissing – whatever the degree of separation, I couldn’t believe that there were cousins whom I didn’t know; cousins whom I didn’t see at weddings and funerals and on Christmas Days and New Year’s Days and, oh yes, on quite a few Easter mornings of my own childhood. 

Then last year, in one of those weird coincidences of fate – proof that the universe ripples in ways you never quite expect – one of those little girls sent a message to my mom – and a little bit of what was lost, was found again. 

And so on Saturday, this photograph sat perched on top of my parents’ television while some of those children (and a few others), all of whom are now grown and who have children and grandchildren of their own now, gathered for a feast of food and family. 

And I finally got to meet my couins Gaby and Gitte!  (who are technically my third cousins twice removed...or something like that!)

Take a Bite Outta These Letters

When I wrote yesterday’s post, I had no idea that I’d see another version of letter art so soon.  Check out these awesome soft pretzel letters that my cousin brought as a surprise treat for a family party that I’ll tell you about tomorrow!

 

 

And for those of you counting…that’s an 11 letter last name!  That’s a lotta soft pretzels! 

Can I Buy a Vowel, Please?

I don’t like arts and crafts.  I’m not a crafter.  I’m not crafty.   It’s probably why I sucked at being a Girl Scout, well, that and the fact that I didn’t like camping, selling cookies, wearing sashes or vests, or singing friendship songs.  I did like earning merit badges though…

Anyhoo, I’m not into crafts.

But a few weeks ago, I had an absolutely horrible, rotten day at work.  I was really angry and it just gnawed at me all day.  That night though, I was going to a Pinterest party.  What’s a Pinterest party?  Well, this particular party had food as the theme – make a dish from a recipe that you found on Pinterest.  You can also do a craft-version.  Back to the party that I was going to – I came home from work, still madder than a hatter, and had to make my dish.  A funny thing happened as I prepared my spicy chicken wings – I wasn’t thinking about work.  At all.  

So, I decided then and there that I needed to find a constructive activity that I could focus on when I came home from work.  Because quite frankly, I’m sick of bringing my work home with me.  So, I needed a project.  Then I looked around at my house and was like – oh yeah, THIS is my project!  And I’m building equity!  (I actually don’t know what that means but people tend to say that when they find out you own your house…oh, you’re building equity!  I smile and say, why, yes!  I love building equity!)

To that end, I’ve been doing a couple of DIY projects that you’ll be seeing over the next few weeks.  I keep referring to them as “DIY” and “art” because you know…I am NOT a crafter.   

But...I discovered Modge Podge.  Modge Podge is the gateway drug to crafts.  It’s to a crafter what Elmer’s Glue is to a kindergartener.  You just can’t get enough!  It’s a sealer, glue, and finisher all in one, folks!  I’ve got a few projects lined up that make use of Modge Podge and canvases but my first projects have involved letters. 

Letter or Word Art is all over the place – or at least, it's on Pinterest and if not you're not pinning, you're just not with it – these days.  Letters are hot stuff!  Everyone wants their initials in big wooden letters hanging on their wall or they want an alphabet collage as wall art.  I’m into the craze too!  I almost ordered the letters “EAT” from Pottery Barn for $49, not including shipping and handling.  And then I thought…wait, a second.  I can make it myself!  Only problem…I painted them in the wrong order so now I have “ATE”.  That’s what happens when you try to save a few bucks. 

 

Seven years ago, when I moved into my apartment, my mom – always a trendsetter – actually gave me letters that she painted for me that spelled “BOOK NOOK”.  They were for the book nook in my bedroom.  I don’t have a book nook in my house (‘cause I have a whole entire LIBRARY!) but I wanted to do something with the letters  because throwing away good letters is just wrong.  So, I bought a second “B” and I made two “BOO”s for myself and a friend.  Just take some scrapbook paper and a few coats of Modge Podge and viola!  Halloween decorations!

During my hurricane hiatus, I did the same craft for the word “JOY.”  Instant Christmas decoration!  I did learn something important on this go round though – always erase your pencil tracings BEFORE you Modge Podge!  I might do the “Y” over again.  The actual paper is sparkly but after I put a coat of Modge Podge on, it dulled the sparkle.  And a “Y” that does not sparkle just will not do! 

So, there you have it…my letter craft art.  The only problem?  I can only do three-letter words. 

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…Especially if A-Hurricane is A-Coming

Last Friday morning, I was fuh-reaking out.  And it had nothing to do with the monster Sandy storm that was bearing down on the East Coast.  Actually, last Friday (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) morning, I wasn’t giving Sandy her due respect.  Nope, I had other things on my mind. 

That morning, I found out that the technology that I chose to use for an event at work wasn’t going to work.  It was an event that I spent almost six weeks planning and organizing.  And the technology – that would’ve broadcast the event to multiple off-site locations in my agency – was crucial.  It worked on Wednesday.  It didn’t work on Friday.  When was the event?  Monday, October 29^th.       

When the technicians told me it wasn’t going to work, I almost lost it.  And by “lost it,” I mean drop to my knees flailing my hands screaming, “WHY?!”  Luckily, I’m a professional; so I did what any professional does – I went to buy pies with the Refreshment Committee.  Not that I liked that too much either but an event organizer’s gotta do what an event organizer’s gotta do. 

Hurricane.  What hurricane? 

I was focused on pulling off a big event.  See, in the past year I’ve become active in trying to stage a nonviolent coup to take over the professional organization at my agency.  I’m one of the committee chairs and last month I found out that I had to organize an event based on a suggestion that I made a few months ago.  Talk about something coming back to haunt you! 

A lone committee member and I began to plan and organize in September - you know, when the weather was sunny and bright.  An Archival Rockstar – what’s it take to become an Archival Rockstar?  Ask me in 10 years.  That’s not cockiness…just confidence – was coming to engage in a discussion with our staff about the four most controversial letters in our profession.  Archivists debating and engaging in dialogue about cool archives stuff!  We developed an entire concept (trademark pending in 23 countries).  I designed a (kickass) poster.  I printed pamphlets.  The event itself was going to consist of a presentation, a panel, and pies.  And at the very end, maybe someone was gonna get up and say “Let them eat pie!”  It was gonna be epic.    

And then Friday happened.  By Friday night, I was stressed out and worried.    

Oh right, and a hurricane was coming.

On Sunday morning, I received an early morning text from one of the panelists – a colleague from New York City – her train was cancelled and she wouldn’t be able to make it.  Sigh.  I was down but not out – the show would go on.  Even with an empty chair.   

I spent Sunday tracking our guest’s flight and found out that he arrived safe and sound.  Right around the time that I found out our office would be closed the next day – Monday, October 29^th – because of the hurricane.  Talk about a Sandyshitstorm. 

So, what did I learn this weekend?  

When a colossal mega-hurricane’s headed your way, don’t sweat the small stuff because you've got bigger problems to worry about. 

Oh, and have plenty of bottled water on hand.  Or have a friend who keeps extra for you.    

Thirty Days Hath November

And so sweet November has arrived!  It was touch and go there for a bit, what with all that hurricane business of a few days ago.  But we made it through and now we can look forward to a season of gourds, cornucopias, tiny Pilgrim people salt and pepper shakers, and turkeys made from every sort of craft material imaginable (pinecones, flower pots, light bulbs, socks, palm prints…I’ve been Pinteresting again).  Ahh, the season of giving thanks is upon us.

So too is the season of NaBloPoMo – National Blog Posting Month.  Write 30 blog posts for each of November’s 30 days.  I made the attempt last year and failed miserably.  Then again, I also made the faulty decision to participate in NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month.  I failed miserably at that too – although I continue to nurse the novel that I started writing for that project and on my good days think I could actually publish it one day.

This year, I’m only committing myself to NaBloPoMo.  And this year I hope to succeed.

As I nosed around on the NaBloPoMo website, I came across the article “How to Blog (Better)” and I chuckled.  How can I blog better?  Well, rule number one – I can show up.  It is not lost on me that I’ve only written 23 posts this year.  Have my words dried up?  Have I become boring and routine?  Have I become lazy?  Have I just given up?  Have I lost that bloggin’ feeling? 

It’s not you.  It’s me.  Really. 

There have been really extraordinary things that have happened to me that I’ve fully intended to write about and then just…didn’t.  The words haven’t dried up…but the writing has.  It's time to fix that.          

I’m not sure what this November will bring but I’m going to try very hard to bring you 30 blog posts.

And if I don’t…well, there’s always September, April, and June.

I Got Game!

For a good time, call Denise.  Supposedly, that's the word on the street.  And the word on the street is never wrong.    

I like having fun and making people laugh.  And I really like making games to play; well, really making people play games.  Not all games, mind you.  I’m not into games that involve math, boards, pressure, stealing gifts, pinning tails on live donkeys, or asking Red Rover for permission to come over.  My games of choice involve trivia and random factoids that you only learn when you buy those fun fact-of-the-day calendars.   

I’m currently organizing a couple of games for some upcoming parties.  One email requesting my assistance went like this – verbatim – “Hi Denise, blah, blah, blah, blah, do something fun.  Blah, blah, blah.  Nothing childish.”  Clearly, the live-action version of Candy Land that I planned would not do.  No worries!  The new game will be completely fun and completely mature in a sensible, respectable adult way filled with lots of teachable moments.  I not only know how to show people a good time but I teach them while I’m at it! 

But I'm really, really excited about an awesome game that I've been developing that I think will take the world by storm!  In fact, if I knew how to make an app, I could probably make an app, charge 99 cents and make at least $1,000!  But alas, I don’t know how to make apps and I don’t know any app designers so I’m out of luck.  But I don’t want the world to miss out on this game so I’m giving up the chance to become an app millionaire and telling you about this game FOR FREE! 

I got the idea when I went to an Indiana Jones Movie Marathon Extravaganza and I’ve been refining it ever since.  Here are the rules – you get three names of movie characters and you have to guess the movie!  You get so many points if you guess it on the first (hardest) name, fewer points if you guess it on the second (kinda hard) name, and even fewer points if you guess it on the last (and easiest) name.  Then each round gets increasingly harder as the movies become more obscure.  I haven’t figured out the point system yet because it involves math and math makes my head hurt.

But we can still play!  Okay here goes (answers at the end of the post) -  

1.        Nick Bradshaw
2.       Tom Kazansky
3.        Pete Mitchell

Anyone?  Anyone at all?  Would it help if I changed it to –

1.       Goose
2.       Iceman
3.       Maverick

Oh geez.  I totally gave it away!

Here's another one - 

1.       Brandon Walsh
2.       Stef Steinbrenner
3.       Data Wang

Here’s a free clue – when I saw Data in one of the Indiana Jones movies, I came up with this game! 

Okay, here’s one that I had to really think about!

1.       Quirinus Quirrell
2.       Minerva McGonagall
3.       Ron Weasley

I have to admit – I’m a Harry Potter virgin so I had to get some help from IMDB!

So – what do you think?  Can you see you and your friends having hours and hours of fun with this game?  Because I sure can! 

Hmm, I wonder if anyone ever called Milton Bradley for a good time.    

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1 – Top Gun
2 – The Goonies
3 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone