Anonymous asked: You have a really cute dog! How much did you get him for? I wanted to buy either a westie or a corgi.

Thanks! Watson is cute. Cute cute cute.

Watson was adopted from an animal rescue for $95. There was a lot that was serendipitous about our finding each other, not the least of which was his low adoption fee. I looked into a few different breed-specific rescues, and they usually asked for $250-500.

I was committed to locating a rescue, but also checked out a few breeders; a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder was about $800-1,500. Watson is mad chill and well-adjusted now, but we had to work through a lot of issues due to the abuse and neglect he suffered at the hands of his first owners. It was worth it, of course, and I have no doubt that Watson was always supposed to be my first dog and true love. I do wish, however, that I could have known him as a puppy, and wonder if he would be a better dog if he hadn’t had such a rough beginning.

Yet, I suspect that even if I did raise Watson from infancy — even if he was never starved or ignored — he would still be part cat, really greedy, and go manic at the sight of his leash. He would probably still look at you with disdain if you tried to put him outside, or asked him to get off your lap. He would still sit next to me at the dinner table, handle all travel with cheer, and stay perfectly quiet in his carrier while I got a massage. I think he would still let me snug him when I am glum, dance with him to Lily Allen, and put decorative feathers in his fur. Watson would probably be a generally wonderful, entirely magical dog, radiating constant love and affection. So really, I guess I didn’t miss out on anything, after all.

In short: Please consider adopting a rescue!

ask dog adoption watson rescue dogs

twigplant replied to your photo: An international currency wall at World Cup, a…

girl, are you still up here? shoulda hollered. i live in taos!

Alas, no. Good to know, though, for my inevitable return (unless your house is sold! Good Luck!). We were only up over the weekend; these are queued posts because I suspect that as indulgent as you all may be, you don’t actually want to see fifteen pictures of scenery and goofiness in one day. 

I am traveling to the opposite extreme of the New Mexican landscape this weekend, should there be anyone in Las Cruces (and environs) anxious for my company. 

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Anonymous asked: This has you written all over it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ettejuli/sets/72157626285800764/with/5685608862/

Amazing! A Room of One’s Own is my favorite. The toast! The tea!

Basically, all I do with a room of my own is eat toast and tea, leaving crumbs all over my bed. Then, I complain about Watson and his dusty little feet, knowing full well that it is mostly toast that is to blame.

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Anonymous asked: I NEED THE NEW BON IVER ALBUM. SEND ME IT. I would love you forever

Righto. About that! I love you all, my anonymous ask box users, but if you actually want something, you have to tell me who you are.

If you do not want anything, please do continue to send me ridiculous questions and statements in anonymity. And, to love me forever. I like the attention.

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Anonymous asked: Is your roommate Kelli very proper to word phrases and questions using vocabulary such as "merry time" and "what of it?" or perhaps she is a character straight from a Jane Austen novel? If you had to compare the Kellies and yourself to Austen characters, could you? Would you? Please!!

Also I must share this with you, Silvia Lu, for it so reminds me of your recent endeavors in love... "The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!"
— Jane Austen

You’ve found me out. Like my color-adjusted photographs, I am also guilty of some creative embellishment when it comes to documenting my conversations. Let’s go with it! It happened mostly like this, anyway. 

As for the troubled landscape of my romantic life? Certainly (certainly!) it is not too much to require both kindness and adventure? Is it? I could really use some more kindness. These trials may be of my own making (or, as Marianne later offers, “my own feelings had prepared my sufferings”). It will all be fine. Probably. I think. 

Austen presents an interesting challenge. The Kellies are progressively-minded young ladies, not at all like most of the peripheral characters - not even polite, talented, but socially-limited Jane Fairfax. This leaves the heroines, then, and it can be so hard not to Elizabeth-Bennet everyone. Instead, here are three quotes, none featuring beloved Eliza, for each of us.  

Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility for Kelli

“Dear, dear Norland,” said Elinor, “probably looks much as it always does at this time of the year. The woods and walks thickly covered with dead leaves.”
“Oh,” cried Marianne, “with what transporting sensation have I formerly seen them fall! How have I delighted, as I walked, to see them driven in showers about me by the wind! What feelings have they, the season, the air altogether inspired! Now there is no one to regard them. They are seen only as a nuisance, swept hastily off, and driven as much as possible from the sight.”
“It is not every one,” said Elinor, “who has your passion for dead leaves.”
“No; my feelings are not often shared, not often understood. But sometimes they are.”

Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey for Kelly

Among the Alps and Pyrenees, perhaps, there were no mixed characters. There, such as were not as spotless as an angel might have the dispositions of a fiend. But in England it was not so; among the English, she believed, in their hearts and habits, there was a general though unequal mixture of good and bad…Her mind made up on these several points, and her resolution formed, of always judging and acting in future with the greatest good sense, she had nothing to do but to forgive herself and be happier than ever; and the lenient hand of time did much for her by insensible gradations in the course of another day.

Anne Elliot in Persuasion for me 

Anne’s object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where the narrow paths across the fields made many separations necessary, to keep with her brother and sister. Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves, and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness, that season which had drawn from every poet, worthy of being read, some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling. She occupied her mind as much as possible in such like musings and quotations.

ask jane austen the kellies I need to stop acting like adjectives and talent are worthy substitutes for kindness I really hope I do not kill this plant; I want it to live even though you are emotionally unavailable

leavingforthecity asked: You are an insanely interesting person, and I wish I were a librarian.

Thank you, Asia! You can totes be a librarian. If you’re seriously interested, I am happy to tell you more about this noble profession. 

Be warned, though - being a librarian means you never get to enjoy the library quite as much as everyone else. This is one of my grand regrets. It is hard to study, read, or generally hang out in the library when it is also your place of work. Maybe this is why librarians (rather, me. Is this just me?) always want to visit libraries whilst traveling; for a little while, you feel like a regular patron, free to enjoy the space as everyone else does. 

ask librarian bookish

Anonymous asked: First world problems: http://whitewhine.com/

I love White Whine! Thanks! 

Pointing out First World Problems is one of my favorite activities, as you may already know if you’re a non-tumblr friend from my real life. Mostly, I like accidental First World Statements like “non-organic Annie’s Goddess dressing just tastes a little better than organic, but then I feel sort of bad?” 

My current first world problems include: 

• The lighting in my kitchen is not great, so I have so many more pictures of breakfast than dinner. 
• Will we have time to go to the Farmer’s Market tomorrow before visitors arrive to gawk at our backyard for Albuquerque’s Coop Tour?
• Should my hair smell like grapefruit or lavender today? 
• It is too warm outside for pants, but too cold in my office for no pants. 
• Should I make Watson peanut butter or cheese flavored treats? 

Sadly, White Whine is for the most part, full of examples of people being straight-up assholes. Hilariously. 

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annieisms asked: AHH I LOVE YOUR TUMBLRRRR WEEE. I just went on a mega like-spree all over you.

Dude, I am such a fan of your life. Do you and Justine have any other awesome relatives I should internet befriend? That’s like, a normal thing to do, right? 

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justinetf asked: I don't know many librarians. You should document your life as a librarian more. Just sayin'.

I will try! I shy away from talking about work too often because. Well. I spend huge amounts of time at work, and thinking about work. It dominates my day, and, at times, it feels as though too much of my identity can be attributed to my profession. Sure, I do a lot of recreational reading, and I like learning new words. I am particular about font and don’t like having dishes linger in the sink. I hang up my work clothes right when I get home. I collect anecdotes about historical figures and facts about animals with equal enthusiasm. These are just general things about me, but so often, people say in response, “oh, of course you are this way. You are a librarian.” No! This is the way I am. Also, I am a librarian! I love being a librarian! Still, I am sensitive about keeping it as an aspect, but not the core of my identity.  

Additionally, werky-werk, while legit good times, is not always very exciting. Case in point, this was my schedule today:  

• 10:00-11:00, Reference Desk
• 11:00-12:00, Meeting about Customer Service training
• 12:00-1:00, Read email, prepare for meeting
• 1:00-2:00, Film Club meeting (we’re making a short video about the history of Zimmerman Library)
• 2:00-3:00, Read the internet, chat with the Kellies and Jerry, eat my lunch, write this response
• 3:00-5:00, Reference Desk
• 5:00-6:00, Read email, send email, schedule meetings

Lest you think I am anything but thrilled with being a librarian, though, here’s some cute librarianing. Kelsey sent me this email:

So I’ve been working on weeding our SD collection today (quick! Can you name what section SD is?)  and it’s been making me think of you. Actually, upon further reflection, I’m not going to tell you what SD is.  You, like a good librarian, can look it up!

Look it up I did, and with great pleasure! In Library of Congress Classification, SD covers books about Forestry. Even deeper, the SD391-410.9 range is Sylviculture (“Silvia” is Latin in origin, and means “of the forest”)!

ask shoutout to kelsey keyes bookish librarian

thefuji asked: Anna and I would like to know what the things hanging from the ceiling in your room are. We are in the process of decorating our rooms and like your hanging things. Thank you for your time.

Dear Sarah and Anna,

Sorry for the slowpoke response! I got derailed by an over-scheduled weekend. Love you.

The things hanging from my ceiling are hand-sewn paper garlands. I was inspired by these images. There are many options for purchase on Etsy and elsewhere on the Internet, but I found them pricey and short. I wanted something much cheaper and more dramatic. As this was during my first lonely months in Albuquerque, I had plenty of free time in the evenings, and decided to make my own.

To make your own, you need:

• A few sheets of pretty art or wrapping paper (opt for thicker paper - vellum or tissue-weight stuff is no bueno)
• A large, sturdy needle (bookbinding or quilting needles are ace)
• Butcher’s twine

Cut the paper into squares, circles, whatever, and sew! That’s it! You will have to be gentle in moving the pieces of paper to the end, and careful to not get things tangled (things can get very tangled). I made five very long garlands sewing for a few hours over two or three days.

Here is a better picture of the garlands:

Have fun decorating!

Love,

Silvia

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Anonymous asked: You may have seen this already, but just in case: http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2011/05/31/136817328/calvin-hobbes-and-comic-book-biology?sc=fb&cc=fp

Oh, I have seen this! My brother, Joe, showed it to me while I was in California.

Not going to lie, got pretty misty.

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annieisms asked: I love Westies! You have a beautiful Tumblr. :)

You have a beautiful life.

Justine, you’re cool with this, right?

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 shelightsupwell replied to your photo:Florentine chocolate, pomegranate, and pear (not…

SYLVIA, OMG, are you out here still? Also holy cow, this looks good, I will check this out this week, I think, yum.

I am! I leave Tuesday evening. Tomorrow and Tuesday, I will probably stay in the Inland Empire/surrounding environs, and on Monday, I’ll be in Anaheim (!!!). 

This place was somewhat out of the way, tucked in the parking lot of a Rite Aid, but it was well worth the journey. Jerry had the pistachio on our friends’ recommendation and it was remarkably good. 

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Anonymous asked: On the subject of cameras...do you amp up the saturation with your computer before posting your images or does your camera naturally take photos in an idyllic palette? My pictures always look so blah. MUST LEARN.

Oh, I am a shameless, unabashed photo-manipulator, and my camera can have neither the blame nor accolades. It takes remarkably fine pictures for a point-and-shoot, but is, ultimately, just a little point-and-shoot. 

I almost never increase saturation, and actually tend to be sort of repetitive with my photoediting. Seriously, my skills are limited to the following: 

• Use macro to create as much a shallow depth of focus as is possible with this camera,
• Increase blue and green,
• Increase red and yellow,
• Brighten,
• Darken and increase contrast, 
• Add vignette/lens correction,
• and, find a sunbeam in which to plop Watson Potato. 

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pictures of me ask living my palette canon powershot camera hey friend