Thursday, January 27, 2011

analysis of literature and what it says about us.

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From Feministing:
Chris Harrison, a Ph.D. student in Human-Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon, created an infographic of how “he” and “she” are used in Google’s digital books archive, which contains 200 years worth of published material. The graph shows the 120 most common words used after “he” and “she,” ordered in decreasing frequency.

When I asked Harrison what he found most interesting or surprising about the data, he responded (spoken like a true engineer): “Not any one thing was most interesting. As with many large data sets, there are many fascinating patterns. It is analogous to a single thread being rather unremarkable. From from many threads one can weave a tapestry.”

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

keep me where the light is

cowlcowl

Hand-knit items take time. And it's not always time that you feel is well-spent because your projects don't always turn out the way you imagined. Or maybe sometimes your imagination is a little bit off. Or a lot of a bit off. But that's neither here nor there.

That said, this cowl I knit is one of the most practical projects that I've made. And it's one of those truths that I acknowledge when I'm at the bus stop, freezing much less than I otherwise would. Or when I'm walking down the street and it's catching all the tears, snot, and other really great bodily fluids induced by your body being way colder than it can really endure. Is this my way of declaring love? By insisting upon the practicality of that which I love? Maybe.

This yarn, Twinkle Soft Chunky, is fantastic. It's so warm. I made a sweater out of it last fall, which I think I'm going to take apart and make into a blanket. I would recommend using it for smaller items or items that will take less wear and tear because as a chunkier yarn, it does pill much easier. The sweaters designed for this yarn are gorgeous, but somewhat unpractical, which, in my opinion, is completely fine.

Anyway, here is information on the project:
Yarn: 1 skein Twinkle Soft Chunky (I wish I knew the color, it's gorgeous)
Needle Size: 17s
Pattern: Marian by Jane Richmond
Modifications: I am pretty sure I accidentally twisted it twice while knitting it, although I was only trying to twist it once. Also, I used a smaller needle size, just because it's what I had on hand.

Ravelry page.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

colorful

These just kind of go together. Colors.

all i will say about the shame that was the game on sunday

Dear Jay,
We could have used you... you know, in the game, as opposed to on the sidelines? Because, as you may have deduced from personal experience, the quarterback is like a major part of the offense. But what do I know, I'm just the girl who walked around with a sprained ankle for two months.

N.B. Through various calculations, I deem that the length of time I suffered compared to yours (2 months vs. 1.5 hours) compensates for the intensity of your physical activity compared to mine (having 200-350 pound men running at you vs. walking, running, tripping, falling, swimming, and yoga).

I'm not mad. And I know you are getting a lot of heat, both from people who know nothing about professional athletics (Chicagoans who would've loved to see our men in the Superbowl) and people who do know (other coaches and players). But I was just wondering where you were. I mean, mentally, because I did see you, physically, on the sidelines.

Regards,
J

Monday, January 24, 2011

this one quote i saw

look famous.
be legendary.
appear complex.
act easy.
radiate presence.
travel light.
seem a dream.
prove real.
----------------
let's go.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

truths.

a tip for visitors:

If you ever want to drive around Chicago without traffic, come during a big Bears game. Nobody is outside. Unless they (fine, we) are going from the first bar to the second one (during halftime. Or after the game, before the next one).

I'm watching this one from home with my brother, so as to avoid having to waste time on transportation that could be spent studying. My mom would be so proud. She loves it when I don't go places and stay home. She also loves it when she discovers that I'm scared of something. But only things that should actually be considered scary, such as walking around at night, stalkers, the city life, cold weather, not eating enough vitamins. She has no sympathy of fear for tests or general academia. But that's neither here nor there.

To say we are mildly excited is an understatement. It's not like we have a picture of a wide receiver on our refrigerator or anything. When the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, the city exploded. This is going to be a million times that. Love this city.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Revive

Today's theme: revive. I got my first massage today. It's my new plan for spending money- on things that improve me (fitness, good food, etc.), rather than on stuff. I'm so over stuff. Anyway, my massage therapist told me that I seem to enjoy deep tissue massage, something about "good hurt" and liking the pain. True.

By way of explanation, I decided to try a series of posts in which I juxtapose pictures that seem to "go together." Whether in an obvious way or in an obvious way with a twist on the interpretation/theme or in a completely non-obvious way. Possibly something I'm thinking about, a reflection of my day, or simply something that seemed interesting. I'm going back to edit my Fear post now that I have a little more time to say something about it.

Tonight, I'm attempting to finish up organic chemistry and get a huge chunk of physics and biology done while listening to Bob Dylan and The Beatles. I didn't drink any coffee today, which is weird. I have a small fear of my coffeemaker (a story for another day), so some chocolate and tea (haven't decided what kind) will be in order for tonight.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

sine metu

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Today's theme: without fear. Fearless.

I could say a million things about fear. I could be incredibly general about it, but in all honesty, I think each individual's relationship with fear is unique.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Things I Loved This Week (and sort of last week also)

Slightly stressed out right now... it's the final countdown. I haven't done laundry in a really long time. I am really going to need to do something about the volume of clothes I possess because one should never be able to not have done laundry for as long as I haven't and still have clothes one can wear. I mention the mundane topic of clothes and laundry because I have these images that I've saved and am completely in love with.

First, fashion:
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She is so lovely. Fashion should always be functional. At least, that's what I think.
pictures from the sartorialist
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Rings. Haha, yes, I definitely have the ring on the left.

PhotobucketGorgeous.

Second: I also recently began drinking a lot more tea. I have a hard time finishing a cup of tea. I get dehydrated, moreso than when I drink coffee. But I have great tea from little companies in Chicago and New York.

Varietea
by KyriaGiordano

Third: Not checking my e-mail all the time.

Fourth: Valentine's Day. I love Valentine's Day in a "I don't care that I am single and will probably (hopefully?) be single for every Valentine's Day for the rest of my life" kind of way. Just like I love winter. Well, not just like it because I love winter in a "I have a space heater so you don't scare me, incessant snowfall; and I have a fairly large cerebellum, which means I have at least slightly above average balance, so you don't scare me, icy roads" kind of way. But similar in the sense that they are both not things that people in my situation (by which I mean single and in Chicago) love. By the way, I am compiling a Winter Playlist.
from Hotze

Jose Gonzalez, Put Your Hand On Your Heart
(my favorite)

Jose Gonzalez, Heartbeats.
(also good)

Fifth: Victoria's Secret At First Sight. I have the "Body Scrub," even though I was going for the body wash, but whatever. The scent is amazing, in my opinion. If I were a person who had a lot of time, I would go track down the body wash.

Sixth: Waking up to texts from my best friend. I don't know that it's a good idea to post texts online (I'm looking at you, Texts From Last Night), but I'm going to do it because you know texts don't last forever.

G: Dear Jocelyn, I think you are the key to my happiness.
Me: I thought the key to your happiness was outdoor sports. I adore you enough to inflate your awesomeness in every way.
G: Nah, everything seems meaningless without you.

Seventh: First phone conversation of today: "Are you freaking out? You are freaking out. Repeat after me: I. Am.... Number. One. And I. Feel. Good." I was forced to repeat this three times.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

but, uh, look. you're still dead

In case you are like me and really didn't get to read the "hottest" books of 2010, there's this:

Friday, January 14, 2011

facebook status this evening:

PLEASE put this as your status if you know someone who has been eaten by dragons. Dragons are nearly unstoppable and, in case you didn't know, they can totally breathe fire. 60% of people WON'T copy and paste this because they have already been eaten by dragons. 38% of people are sitting in the shower armed with fire extinguishers, and the remaining 2% are awesome and will re-post.

Monday, January 3, 2011

at the movies, you can share my peanut m&ms, but you better act fast

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I am feeling good today. Lots to say, but for now: 2011 is going to be sweet. This picture is from last night. I was talking to one of my friends whom I have come to really depend on to drag each other through all the rough times. We somehow got on the topic of emotional intelligence (by somehow, I mean that I am sure there was a very logical and coherent path toward it). The conversation proceeded as follows:

"On the scale of emotional between 1 and 10, you are a 2."
"What!" (I tend to say "What!" a lot, except that it sounds very classy, like, "Whaaaat!")
"Fine.... 2.2"

We've worked it out. But anyway, despite my 2.2 emotional level, I do love this. Like I said, sweet.