Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in grinnellian2001's LiveJournal:

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Saturday, July 18th, 2009
11:13 pm	I Need to Change the Name of My F-List Page, I Think I know I've been a little absent lately. Find me over on facebook--I post more in short bursts than I do in livejournal length posts. Anyway, I woke up this morning and there was this *thing* on my finger. I'm not entirely sure where it came from. Take a look and let me know! http://www.flickr.com/photos/64814328@N00/3733348643/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/64814328@N00/3733348585/ And the likely culprit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64814328@N00/3734148368/ (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, October 13th, 2008
9:09 am	Regency Assembly This Weekend! I'm not sure if anyone on my f-list is close enough to attend, but I just wanted to spread the word that the Elegant Arts Society Regency Assembly (which I have been attending for years) will be held this weekend in New Haven, CT. Saturday is an early 19th century ball with instruction preceding in the morning. No costume required, just elegant dress of some sort. Sunday is an optional promenade in the park followed by period games and refreshments. This is an event I look forward to every year. Well worth the trip. Pre-registration prices are still available through Friday. Please see the website for more details: http://www.elegantarts.org/assembly (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, August 11th, 2008
9:41 am	Better Late than Never I will be going to Pennsic this year. That is all. (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008
12:11 pm	Wowie! This is the second time one of my cousins has been featured in the Washington Post. Check it out! The article is about my cousin Leah's brand new kitchenware store on Capitol Hill. If you're in the DC area be sure to stop by and say hello. Hill's Kitchen (Comment on this)
Friday, March 14th, 2008
9:00 am	Hmm... I find it a wee bit distressing that my phone company will allow me to make payments of up to 9,999,999.99 cents. Does anyone ever rack up a cell phone bill that high? Seriously? (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, March 13th, 2008
9:47 am	Jane Austen Danced What?!? My friends (and poor jeoshua especially) all know that I'm somewhat notorious for screaming loudly and threatening to throw things at the screen during the dance scenes of Jane Austen adaptations. Now, at last, my friend Susan has provided a suscinct explanation of what defines Regency-era dance! Check it out! Real Regency Dancers Don't Turn Single: Ten Tips for Judging Authenticity (Dance enthusiasts will be interested in the entire blog): Capering & Kickery (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
11:48 am	What I'm Up To... So for the first time since college, I'm taking an art class just for the heck of it. I'm not sure what exactly made me think that I couldn't do this before. Possibly a lack of funds (art classes are expensive!), possibly the fact that I've never considered myself a talented artist (a fact that jeoshua likes to vigorously debate--I usually let him win), possibly just inertia! I did take a bellydance class for about a year awhile back and various other short-term dance classes, but that's it. So the class I'm taking is metal jewelry class taught by a rather talented Richmond artist, Jay Sharpe. I wasn't familiar with him prior to the class, but some folks were and it was almost like we had a celebrity in our midst. He's really nice and I'm looking forward to the other classes. We started fairly simply, with wire wrapping, which I've been doing for years, but not with any real finesse. WE made an Egyptian chain, which I CANNOT find a photograph of this technique and I don't have my camera, but maybe I'll post a photo later. It's made by looping together a bunch of curly hook things (like sewing hooks, really) and then smashing them down to make a solid chain without solder. Very cool, although not exacty my aesthetic. The class is an interesting mix of people. Mostly very serious people! Several of us with businesses already, several more who *hope* to go into business, and then one woman who has a BFA in jewelry making and wants to build a portfolio to apply for an MFA program. It should be fun. I'm looking forward to being forced outside of my box to try new things and new techniques. Also new materials, since we're working exclusively with copper and brass (for cost reasons) and I'm used to sterling and gold filled wire. I'm also looking forward to playing with solder and saws and hammers, etc. One of the advanced students was soldering something during class and the smell took me right back to childhood. I know I'm going to enjoy it! (Comment on this)
Monday, January 14th, 2008
9:03 am	Unpersuaded So did anyone else watch Persuasion on Masterpiece Theater last night? I did, and oh how I wish it could have been better. ( Read more... ) (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, January 7th, 2008
9:31 am	Baaaahhh.... This actually surprised me: 87% Chris Dodd 85% Barack Obama 83% John Edwards 83% Hillary Clinton 79% Mike Gravel 78% Dennis Kucinich 78% Joe Biden 71% Bill Richardson 46% Rudy Giuliani 34% John McCain 25% Mike Huckabee 23% Mitt Romney 22% Tom Tancredo 16% Ron Paul 15% Fred Thompson 2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008
10:04 am	And one more for good measure I'm intrigued by this meme, lifted from rikhei: The list is based on an exercise developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. The exercise developers ask that if you participate in this blog game, you acknowledge their copyright. To participate in this blog game, copy and paste the above list into your blog, and bold the items that are true for you. Father went to college Father finished college Mother went to college Mother finished college Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers Had more than 50 books in your childhood home Had more than 500 books in your childhood home Were read children's books by a parent Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18 Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18: ballet, tap, jazz, modern, piano The people in the media who dress and talk like you were portrayed positively Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18 Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs Went to a private high school Went to summer camp Had a private tutor before you turned 18 (only if you count my father, but then I didn't need to be tutored in anything but chemistry and calculus, which he taught professionally) Family vacations involved staying at hotels Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18 Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them There was original art in your house when you were a child (photography, anyway) Had a phone in your room before you turned 18 I don't remember about this. I think I did, but not sure. You and your family lived in a single family house Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home You had your own room as a child Participated in an SAT/ACT prep course Could have, but didn't need to. Had your own TV in your room in High School Owned a mutual fund or IRA in High School or College Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16 Went on a cruise with your family Went on more than one cruise with your family Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family Now I recognize that I led a pretty privileged life as a kid (and in some respects still do, I mean how many people own their own home at 28 and have no debts) but I take issue with some of the questions. For example, is it really a sign of privilege to have had *any* new clothes before the age of 18? I mean, really, it's often cheaper to buy kids clothes at Target or Old Navy than it is to go to a thrift store (especially since at the thrift store you spend longer to find things that fit). Or what about havin gyour own room? I was an only child--who on earth would I have shared with? Some are interesting, though. I never questioned the fact that we flew lots of places as a kid. Sure, it's expensive, but it was almost always to see family. I think it would have been more interesting to ask if you had traveled internationally than to ask if you'd been on a cruise. Where I grew up the latter was really uncommon and the former was pretty much the norm for upper middle class families. I'm also puzzled by the heating bill question. I think it would have been better to ask: "were aware of the cost of heating"--my parents would never have told me that kind of financial detail as a kid. Lots of interesting stuff to think over. I wish this list were longer and more nuanced. (8 Comments |Comment on this)
9:22 am	I'm not dead Despite rumors to the contrary, I'm actually still out here alive and well. I just noticed that I haven't posted anything since November! Not atypical for me, I'm afraid, but apologies nonetheless. I know there are those of you who hang on my every word. It's the end of the year but I don't feel much like reflection. 2007 was a wonderful year, but I'm not sorry to see it end! It was an awful lot of work. I do like the month-by-month recap of the year, though, so here goes: January: Meet Josh, instant chemistry! Finish draft of my very first professional contract writing job (final payment not received until December--gotta love museums) Baroque dance workshop in Philadelphia--nearly kills me! February: Nurse Josh back to health after his Wisdom teet are removed. My cellphone makes a run for it. First flowers appear in my garden March: Propane tank buried, thus beginning final phase of my battle with the propane company. April: 28th Birthday. Horrifying dental saga begins Springforth dance weekend--my first one handling all the registration details. May: I MET the Queen of England. (ok, other stuff happened too) Anniversary Weekend at Jamestown--I go crazy running the cash registers! Josh graduates from law school Horrible dental ordeal continues. I established my Etsy shop. June: Nothing much! July: Dental ordeal concludes Josh takes bar exam I give up my earthlink account for good (after 10 years) (not a great month, so far) One bright spot: Install costume exhibit at Bacon's Castle Another one: Sold my first jewelry item online Also: Harry Potter August: Take Josh to Pennsic for the first time. He loves it despite uncooperative weather (rainy *and* hot, but at least it wasn't too dusty). Major deterioration in health Very first craft show (a success!) New job for Josh--doing what he wanted to do and just a stone's throw from my house. Begin regular acupuncture sessions. September: Figure out what is going on with my health (thyroid out of whack again, but the other way) and begin process of rebalancing hormones. Begin to feel better (i.e. like I'm not dying) fairly quickly. Also start eating higher protein, which makes a major difference, too. October: EAS Regency Assembly in Connecticut. New dress!!! Josh sworn into the VA Bar. Thank goodness. Plagiarized. (eek!) November: Holiday sales season gets off to a great start with the Norfolk Handmade Parade, my best show ever (and first acceptance into a juried show, which made me super happy). Josh meets my family for the first time and survives. December: Where'd that go? Josh meets rest of my family at Christmas. Somehow we continue to be happy together! Really great sales month, very good year for Historically Inspired Designs overall. (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007
10:48 am	Of course, of course... Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!! created with QuizFarm.com You scored as Emma Woodhouse Emma is possibly one of the most loyal characters of Austen, always wanting better for those around her and doing all she possibly can to make it happen. Her motives sometimes get in the way of her good intentions and her own opinions can end up ruling her actions, but she has a good heart. She loves to be social and is welcoming to most, unless they are too silly to tolerate. While she sometimes changes her behavior to make others feel comfortable, she knows who she is and is always bettering herself. Emma Woodhouse 78% Marianne Dashwood 66% Lady Catherine 59% Elizabeth Bennet 56% Jane Bennet 56% Elinor Dashwood 47% Charlotte Lucas 31% (Comment on this)
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
8:43 am	From Josh The rules are easy, just post 6 things that recently made you happy! Then tag 6 people and force them to post this meme on their LJs. Because it is good. Everyone needs a little happiness once in awhile. (note: I intended to post some of this today anyway, so it is not pathetic giving in to my boyfriend's demand that I fill in a meme!) 1) That my lawyer-to-be boy isn't the -to-be part any more! 2) Meeting the absolutely charming 89 (?) year old former resident of one of our historic houses 3) Each and every sale I make 4) That the EAS Assembly is THIS WEEKEND! (and I have a new bonnet to wear) 5) Smoothies (and crepes) 6) See #1 above (yes, this is important enough to count for two things) Consider yourself tagged if and only if you want to do this. However, I urge ripresa and arcnor to consider themselves urged. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, August 11th, 2007
12:06 am	Rain, rain, go away... Back from Pennsic. I have one word. Rain. It rained every day we were at war (including this morning)--most days quite hard--and when it wasn't raining it was blazing hot. All-in-all the not-so-nice weather made for a very low key Pennsic. We mostly stayed around camp playing card games (hooray for the Bean Game and the World's Longest Munchkin Game (tm)!) and I think I danced less than I ever had (due to the heat and not wanting to exhaust myself). Still, it was nice and a good first War for jeoshua. Best Pennsic Moment: Walking up Runestone hill Thursday night to see hundreds (thousands?) of glow sticks being hurled in the air. They looked exactly like beautiful fireworks. Fireworks that rained down on us! Simply beautiful and indescribable, really. Now to go wash the mud off my clothes and from between my toes. In other news, I need a new avatar. The one of me with the glass is now over two years old! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, August 4th, 2007
7:29 am	We're off... Hmmm... Pennsic with a newbie (with two newbies, really). This could be interesting. Back in a week, no doubt with some tales to tell. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, August 2nd, 2007
8:51 am	I'm done! Let the Harry Potter discussion begin. (and if you read me and posted something a week ago please leave me a comment--I can't remember who all is chattering about it now). (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 1st, 2007
9:37 am	Halle-FREAKIN-luia Life is good in oh so many ways! jeoshua has a job. In Richmond. DOING EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED TO DO. STARTING RIGHT AFTER WE GET BACK FROM VACATION!?!!!!*&(#~!~! I get to see sonetka and pixelherder (hopefully that's the right username!) tomorrow. I have an acupuncturist I like and finally some hope of not feeling exhausted all the time. And I have three wholesale orders, one possible wedding commission, and a craft show to work on when I get back from vacation. Huzzah! (12 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, July 25th, 2007
11:19 pm	My preeetttyyy.... ...arrived today from Amazon.co.uk Can't wait to join the chatter. And just in time for my beach vacation (I'm sure I hastened its arrival by buying not one, not two, but three beach books this afternoon Just In Case--I will save them for Pennsic). ps. can't I kill the two young girls who spoiled something major for me (re: Snape) this afternoon. Does it count that they couldn't see me and had no idea there was another person around (who could hear through paper-thin, holey 18th century walls) to be spoiled?? (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, July 23rd, 2007
1:41 pm	Adventures of the Unspoiled So many people are already done with their Harry Potters! Me, I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. From England. Yes, I know the text is the same (now). But, damnit, the British versions are still better. The paper is better, the size is nicer, and they don't have the cheesy illustrations. I hate cheesy illustrations. And I like being all self-righteous while I wait for my AUTHENTIC copy to arrive from overseas. (but couldn't they promise to get it to me any sooner than July 31st????) And even when the book does arrive I don't intend to hole up with it and read for 24 hours straight. No, I'm going to savor my Harry. It being the last real Harry I'll ever have. *sigh* If it comes by Thursday it will be beach reading--halleluia! If not, I think I'll only let myself read it while exercising (a great motivator, that). So, for the next few weeks I'm going to live a very nervous exisitance--carefully monitoring my media intake to filter out all things HP related. I guess I'd better stay off the computer and not watch cable and for heavens sake I need to stay away from eight year olds! See you in a few weeks, folks. (6 Comments |Comment on this)
9:32 am	Where on Earth has Cathy Gone? #2 and 3: 18th Century Gowns Originally uploaded by grinnellian2001. When I disappear off the face of the earth for extended periods of time, odds are I'm hard at work on some project, either personal or professional. For once I can actually share my current project with LJ-land! I've been working on a small costume installation at Bacon's Castle, one of the historic properties that I work with here in Virginia. Bacon's Castle, built around 1665, is a true architectural gem. You can read more about it here See the Flickr version of the exhibit, here Enjoy! (5 Comments |Comment on this)