Update : The Bet

I've had some great encouragement from folks about the weight-loss bet that Ron and I made, so I feel obligated to let you know that we've amended the bet and delayed the deadline to Christmas morning. The main reason for that was because assuming that one of us won, neither of us has the money to actually pay out for our birthdays in a month. Plus, in reality neither of us was going to make it - even though we have both been trying (just not as hard as we'd need to in order to win.)

Savannah history

A few months ago, I did some contract work with the Georgia Historical Society to help finish up processing a photograph collection that they had a grant to make available. It was a huge undertaking and I was only a part of the end of the project, but I did have a good time cataloging the prints. Just got the word of the local write-up for the Robert Heriot Collection by the Connect.

I'm glad to see my friend Lynette highlighted in the article. And to know that the collection is now available for researchers. There are some really fantastic photographs of local architecture - both the typical historical downtown buildings as well as documenting some of the mid-century suburban developments and street views. The photos of the riverfront development are really great as are the grisly car accident scenes. Plus you can inundate yourself in wedding pictures from the 1950s-1980s. The variety of hairstyles and bridesmaid dresses alone are worth a look.

And of course, Potter conclusion

I forgot to post about Harry Potter. After all of my excitement and expectations, we got the book on Saturday morning at about 1am after standing in line at Barnes and Noble. Let me just explain what we had to endure in order to get the book so early...we showed up around 10:30 with our friend Nora thinking that we'd get to walk around a little bit and check out the "party" before having to get in line. No luck, the lines were already formed and we were definitely nowhere near the front. And we were surrounded by teenagers on all fronts. In front of us, a couple that reminded us of that painful period of angst when you feel desperately deep and misunderstood. Occasionally popping pills from a prescription bottle that they handed around to each other and sprawling out on the floor, these kids definitely bought most of their outfits from Hot Topic and were attempting to relive Robert Smith's heyday.

Directly behind us were two people standing in line independent of any friends - one girl who shrank into the smallest corner possible and was almost unnoticeable and a boy who was incredibly disturbing. Lurking around, this guy was using a straw as a wand and was cursing people as they passed by. As if muttering "cursio" and "ava kedavra" under his breath while flicking the straw wasn't wierd enough for a 16 year-old, he was also detected reading "Mein Kampf". At a certain point, his aggravation levels were heightened so that he gave up cursing and resorted to miming a shot gun. Behind him, was a group of about 10 girls all giggling and shrieking periodically.

In the end, though, it was well worth that hell to get the book and start reading in book when we got home. Ron finished on Sunday at about 5am and I finished later that Sunday afternoon. The book met all of my expectations. It is by far the best of the series and pulled everything together really well. I teared up, I cheered and I couldn't put it down. Nough said.

8 weeks to go

So in April Ron and I made created a challenge for ourselves to lose 50lbs each by our birthdays in September. Whichever of us beats the challenge can name the birthday gift that the other person has to buy for them up to $400. The idea was that hopefully we'll both win and so just get to blow a lot of money on each other and feel happy. If just one of us wins, that would really suck because then one person gets a really fancy bday gift and the other gets something very small and inexpensive.

Needless to say, I realized yesterday that I only have 8 more weeks to go and still have 18lbs left to lose. That averages to 2.25lbs a week which is a lot. I'm a little nervous - especially because the gym is closed next week. I think that I'll probably have to work out every day to make this happen because god knows, I'm not going to stop eating.

Pot-head Mania - ALERT SPOILERS!

Well, I've spent the past 5 weeks rereading books 1-6 of the Harry Potter series and now I'm feeling a bit bereft and unsure of what to head to next while I await the release of book 7 in just over two weeks. For years I was told by friends whose reading tastes I generally admire that I would like the series, but I held off reading them thinking that there was no way they could live up the hype. I got suckered into the stories because Ron listened to them on audiobook while working in the studio. Since then, I have to admit, that I'm a bit of a Potter-head.

Anyhow, after this past read-through I've adjusted my opinion of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I'm not quite as disappointed with that particular book as I was in the first reading with two exceptions...there was way too little description of Harry and Ginny's relationship and Dumbledore's funeral was lacking in pomp in my opinion. But I'm hoping that more will be divulged about both in the final book.

My predictions (which could be revised at any point until Book 7 is released):
1. Snape is truly bad and did maliciously kill Dumbledore.
2. Dumbledore is really dead, but will continue to have a presence through his portrait in the headmaster's office.
3. The two main characters that die will be Harry and Voldemort - they will kill each other after Harry has managed to destroy all of the remaining Horcruxes (or after he finds them already destroyed by the mysterious R.A.B.)
4. Harry and Ginny will get back together before the end.
5. Ron and Hermione will end up together.
6. Neville will become even more heroic and will have a larger role.

Mutation Craft Fair to happen in November

Last week I got myself involved in planning the 2007 Mutation Craft Fair in Savannah. I'm excited as it will help keep me motivated in my own creative ventures but also because it means that there will be an opportunity for me to sell my wares and make some extra cash right before Christmas. I'm interested to see all of the work and planning that goes into making this happen. Luckily, we're working with Megan who has been involved in planning these fairs for the past 5 years here.

Dates will be November 17-18, but the location is still to be determined. Keep checking the Mutation website for updated information including the new vendor application forms.

Secondary Blog

Just in case people are interested in what I do in my day job, feel free to check out the blog of my alter-ego, Page Turner.