The View From Kalamazoo

I SO needed this today.

Just in case you’ve all (*cough*Brian*cough*) been wondering what to give me for Mother’s Day (ok, what I’d really like is a day off, but I never, ever get that because it’s almost always the last day of Congress. Bugger that):

I really need some calipers. Seriously.

The really seriously basic tool set I had originally bought was a piece of crap and isn’t doing so well at this point. I really should get a basic set that will actually stand up to use. This site has a similar set on sale, even – the 13 piece set w/plastic
rib.

I should get some brushes at some point – I like these. I currently have one, wide and flat – like a small house-painting brush. Not so great for detail. The other site I looked at has some brush sets, too. “Squeezably Soft Comfort” Aaa-hahahaha!

Ok, these are just handy as heck to have when it comes to dealing with tall vase-like forms, and I can switch that sponge out…I have a silly, round, yellow poly sponge, currently, and I’m not thrilled with it, so I think I’d like to try natural sponges: spongies!!

This is not to say, mind you, that I don’t expect to try and find time during Congress for some Exhibits Hall forays – I usually pick out some small piece of jewelry from one of the amber merchants for my Mother’s Day gift (someone must, after all), although probably only if I see something I really must have..I have a lot of amber pieces, mostly of the green and butterscotch colorations, and I don’t know that I necessarily need more. Dunno if there wil be many books that I might find useful that I don’t already own, but I do always hit Powell’s looking for bargains (since I’m paid like a mere secretary. ouch) and the Cistercian booth for some coveted nut munch (not because it’s on my diet, oh no, but because it’s waaaaay addictive!)

3 weeks.
!!

An undergrad somewhere in the Pacific Northwest has emailed me regarding my M.A. thesis. It’s a small ego boost (welcomed, as of late, let me tell you) and she can get easily from interlibrary loan since it’s a bound volume in our library.

As I looked up the information for it to send her for reference, it appears someone had actually checked it out recently. Again, a small thrill that I’m not the only crazy person around interested in the topic. Small. Oh well, it’s something vaguely resembling an affirmation.

I want to kill my computer. Congress is coming. I’m going mad.

So for lunch yesterday, Bri. treated The Daughter and I (it’s spring break for the kiddies here) to the gourmet offerings of Chez Taco Bell. If you haven’t been, recently, their sauce packets come with messages printed on the outside of the package. Things like “Hello.” and “Pick me! Pick me!” Amusing, I suppose…midly, but a bit more interesting than what had actaully been ordered for lunch, at least.

I come upon a packet, in the small handful I grabed, a packet with a message that I just had to share with you, gentle readers.

“Nice palm. I read a great deal of pleasure in your future.”

It looks like I palmed my own saucy fortune cookie! (cue drum set)

.
There are just too many places I can go with this message, and most of them too blue for prime time.

for all those who are fans of Michelle Brown’s (BL) palaeography books: U Toronto Press is having a big backlist sale

My first approval. I’d like to thank the academy…

We just figured out Blue’s clues!

We just figured out Blue’s clues!

We just figured out Blue’s clues!

‘Cause we’re really smart!

And my adventures with The Printer From Hell continue.

This, too, will go in my memoirs.

I figure I should just answer my phone with ‘you’ve got to be kidding me!’ since those words have passed my lips more times than I can count the last few weeks, usually in regards to some new university *insert expletive here*. We’ve quickly gone from “budget crunch” to “hell in a handbasket”. Too often lately have I been left speechless.

Anyone who knows me can attest to how amazing that is.

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