I really ought to remember that this was my personal blog before it became a publishing…ish blog. I mean, I have a personality! And interests beyond books! (Sort of. I won’t lie when I say books occupy about 85% of my brain space.) I also like art, photography, fashion, crafts, music, etc. It’s good to acknowledge that sometimes.
Anyway, I’ve been feeling very uninspired in the sartorial department lately. As far as vanity goes, I’m pretty freaking proud of my looks, although you wouldn’t guess it from the effort I’ve been putting into it lately. Hoodies! Jeans! Absolutely no makeup!
Sometimes I ponder through ideas better by drawing them out, so I threw together a quick concept sketch with some pieces already in my wardrobe to see if I can’t push myself into caring a little about my appearance. (I care, I just can’t find the energy at the moment.)
Sketch and photos under the cut. Read more »
Once more med school prom has come and gone I have the photographic evidence in my nail-polish stained fingers. There needs to be more (semi)formal events in my life so I can indulge my inner princess by wearing pretty, pretty dresses and makeup.

From a mask and makeup test a few weeks ago.
My mother once accused me of living in a made-up world of stories and fairytales. Of course, I found this vastly complimentary, but Mum actually intended it as a criticism of how I dress. I stand convicted. As you might recall, last year Bear and I went as a gangster and moll from the 1930s. This year the med school itself gave me a theme: masquerade ball.
Photos from the night (and the process of getting ready) below the cut.
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Looking back on some of my blog posts since starting work here at St. Martin’s Press, I’ve become slightly baffled by how much I talk about work. It’s like I have no life, you guys! How horrifying! It’s time I return to a self-centered, narcissistic monologue about my life.
(Not really. Except kind of really.)

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade!
I started this blog long before I was ever in publishing, but slowly and insidiously, the industry has infiltrated my entire existence–including social media. Cap’n Sweet Valley has me tweeting and Facebook-ing as part of my job description (not that I mind) and when I come home, it seems that all I can discuss/think/eat/breathe are books. I used to have hobbies! What happened to them?
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Before anything else, I want to wish my White-Harp a happy 21st birthday! Now she’s legally able to drink (not that age has stopped her before).
Sometimes books make me want to eat whatever the characters are eating. My friend Katranna (and Jo March of LITTLE WOMEN) have both mentioned THE PICKWICK PAPERS by Charles Dickens as a book that makes them hungry. In my case, when I was young, it was the REDWALL series by Brian Jacques, which would delve into the mouthwatering details of deeper’n'ever pie, otter hotroot’n'shrimp soup, and other culinary creations that made my indifferent-to-everything-but-bad-food mouth salivate with cravings.
Such was not the case of Laurie Halse Anderson‘s WINTERGIRLS. WINTERGIRLS practically made me go out and eat a few doughnuts (and I don’t even like doughnuts) out of obligation.
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…that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?
I am on an upbeat Joni Mitchell kick that I must sing to myself since Endymion the iPod has fallen into his enchanted sleep at last and cannot even be restarted. I have been having no luck with my Apple products recently, but in all fairness, Pantalaimon the iBook is nearing 5 years old and Endymion is even older still. They have had a good run of things. Soon I shall buy another laptop using Bear’s med student discount and get a free iPod with my purchase. Score.
Last night I came home and slept for 12 hours and it was glorious. Last night my mother also sent me a package of some recent fashions in Korea because she had just come back from a business trip. But because I immediately zonked out, I decided to open up the goodies this morning.
My first thought upon opening my package was Did my mother just send me an old lady blouse?
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