Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you

I definitely fell of the blogwagon for a while there. Things have been busy at work, so my free time that I would spend blogging has been non-existent. I have plans to rectify this situation, including an very delayed blog about the time I went to a haunted house, some mysterious happenings centered around a certain PBS show, and my thoughts on Christmas music. Exciting stuff, right? Stay tuned...

Blogs that are better than mine parte tres

Looks like I am already falling off the blogging wagon. In my defense, I've been slightly busier at work, which is where I prefer to do my blogging. Also, I've been working on a monster blog but it still isn't quite done yet. Until then, here is an excellent blog, which appears to be updated way more than mine. Similar to the previous one I posted, this one also mocks something near to my hear- fashion faux pas from the Cosby Show. Enjoy!
http://huxtablehotness.blogspot.com/

Blogs that are better than mine part deux

Here is another blog that I find inspirational. This girl's blog concept was to re-live her tween years by re-reading the entire Sweet Valley High series and write snarky reviews about them. This combines several of my favorite things. Namely snarky comments and nostalgia for things from my childhood. As someone who read tons of books growing up (the libary had to invent new prizes just for me during the summer reading club program, impressive, right?), I love the idea of going back to see how the books have aged. Also, it is fascinating that those of us who read these books managed to turn out to be halfway normal people despite the bizarre messages found in some of these books.
The Dairi Burger

Speaking of book and the changing times. Another favorite is a blog that analyzes fashion from the Babysitter's Club series. I love the illustrations and the commentary. I wish I would have thought of both of these ideas.
What Claudia Wore

You know I used to have a blog...

You know I used to have a blog. Actually, I had a Xanga. Do you remember Xanga? Xanga was something that people used who weren't cool enough to have a Live Journal. Yes, Live Journal used to be a big flippin' deal. It was like Google+, you had to have an invitation to get one. Now, I believed both sites are probably on the same level of MySpace in terms of their progression towards becoming totally obsolete. Nevertheless, Xanga was pretty sweet to a young college student who had recently outgrown their Lisa Frank diary (important note: Lisa Frank was totally badass back in the day. It was also probably the closest I will ever get to doing acid. See picture at the bottom).

My Xanga was full of post-teen angst (a term I invented to describe teen angst that one experiences in their 20's). I recently went back to my old Xanga and downloaded everything into a word document. Reading it was quite a trip. I was pretty good about blogging regularly, even if they were stupid posts like what movie I saw that weekend and who I hung out with. However, it was the deeper stuff that really drew you in. I was concerned about things like whether or not I would pass organic chemistry, what I should major in, if i would get into grad school, and why people didn't show up for marching band sponsored bake sales (one time I skipped classes because no one else showed up to work the bake sale and I felt bad, maybe I would have passed organic chemistry if I had made better choices). It seems trivial now. Who needs organic chemistry? It's just a class. Of course you'll get into grad school, you're a smart kid. Who cares if people don't show up, it's just a bake sale. In seven years none of this will matter. Still, at the time, these were the big issues in my life (along with the occasional dramatic relationship post or the existential "why am I here?" post). I guess it is impressive how far I have come, but on the other hand, has anything really changed? I'm still in a perpetual state of being stressed out. Will I ever finish grad school? Will I find a job that I like? How does health insurance work, and do I really need it? Why am I here? Why don't people show up for committee meetings?

It's amazing to me how reading these things can transport you back to that time where you felt things so intensely. I suppose that is the reason for the present blog. Maybe seven years from now none of this will matter. Of course you finished grad school, you're a smart kid. Naturally you found a job that paid well and actually had benefits. You totally figured out what you are doing with your life and now have your shit together.

I may consider posting some "throwback blogs" (that's a cool name, right?). It can be an academic kind of experiment. Maybe college kids will be tasked with analyzing two of my blogs spaced seven or so years apart. They will have to analyze it and come up with themes, and will generally hate the assignment. Then, I will go look for my junior high diary. Yes, I kept it. That will surely have some legit teen angst in it.



Blogs that are better than mine

I've decided that a cute addition would be for me to feature blogs that I think are superior to mine or ones that I enjoy checking out. Also, it is a cheap way for me to post something without having to write much. The first blog to be featured in this series is my friend Taleen's. Taleen was the inspiration for this blog, and I told her repeatedly that her life was too funny not to blog about. Her blog includes humorous stories about her experience as a substitute teacher, living in Sioux City, and I am even mentioned a couple of times (what's not to love).
Check it out!
Livin' the Dream

Rebirth of a Blog?

I went to create a blog and realized that I already had one that I created last year and promptly forgot about. How silly of me. I suppose this means that I will be trying to do a better job of blogging (I hate that word). I feel like I often have mini-blogs going on in my head throughout the day and feel the narcissistic need to tell everyone about them. You all care a great deal about what I am thinking at all times, right? This blog is in part inspired by my dear friend and avid blogger Taleen, who maintains a first-class blog that I will aspire to be like.

At any rate, here is what I will hopefully be blogging about:
1. As my first and only post indicated, I have now completed my last year of classes in graduate school. I have few reasons to go up to the UNO campus, will not be purchasing a parking permit ever again, and cleaned out 5 years worth of crap out of my cubicle. This blog will serve to document my withdrawal and to answer the great question, "Is there life after graduate school?"
2. Since leaving UNO, I have accepted a "real world" job. I am working on research for a local organization. I am learning a lot of new things, especially about working with people more than twice my age. This blog will serve as an outlet for humorous stories and pent up rage.
3. Weird random things that happen to me. Come on, that cicada story was gold. I re-read it and was instantly transported back to that fateful day.

I should point out that I am at work while I am writing this. Who says you can't get paid to blog?
Hold on to your hats kiddos.