7 things

Me, 1978 or so.

So whaddya say? 7 Random things? Heck, why not. (Thanks for the tags, sweet readers)

1. My first car was a blue 1983 Volkswagon Vanagon (it was my parents before mine). In college my boyfriend had a (orange!) 1976 Westfalia. Yes, we had matching vans - except that they were VW vans of course, and so only one of them ever worked at a time. I loved mine soooo much, even though it got me pulled over more times than I can recount, and put me on the side of the road, broken down with nearly every trip. But that's forgiven because, really, some of the best times were had broken down on the side of the road anyway. The kids and I saw a super modified VW westfalia recently that had a VW Bug 'top' sodered onto the top of the van - like a big bubble. Does that make sense? And does anyone around here know anything about it? It was so fabulous (the boys haven't stopped talking about it), and it made me highly nostalgic for my first car (how fun would it be to convert one of those to biodiesel with the kids in a few years?!). Okay, moving on...this could take forever. Am I really only on #1?

2. My Portland Public Library fines right now are $66.98. I'm terrible at returning library books, but console myself by thinking this is how I support my Public Library. Hmn - I know, bad. (Oh, and speaking of the Portland Public Library - if you're local, don't forget to vote today!)

3. I'm three credits short of my bachelors degree in Women's Studies. I marched, and then never finished my Senior Independent Study. Usually, this doesn't stress me out (I loved college. I learned a ton about a lot of things. Do I really need a piece of paper to tell me that?), but sometimes...I pick up the local college catalog and contemplate finishing.

4. A few months back, we cancelled cable and moved the TV into a closet. A little surprisingly, it's hardly been mentioned since. Until I was in the grocery store checkout line last week and saw something about a thirtysomething reunion, and I got all twitchy and was ready to reinstate cable RIGHT THEN. I bought the magazine (um, People) only to find out that it isn't really happening (but they got me to buy the magazine - tricky them!). I LOVED that show, even though I was all of 14 when it was in it's prime.

5. I have a bad habit of listening to a favorite album so much that I can't ever listen to it again. Recently kicked out for overconsumption: Tori Amos' American Doll Posse, Tom Waits' Orphans, and Belle and Sebastian's The Life Pursuit. All very good albums that I sadly cannot listen to EVER AGAIN. Currently, I'm trying to save Jeff Tweedy's Sunken Treasure before it's too late (which means just one listen a day. ONE.)

6. I haven't knit a stitch in months. Which is a bummer especially considering the project I started for a pregnant friend nine months ago is now due. Solution? Drag the TV out of the closet and rent some DVD's - first up Volver (I love Almovodar's films, but I'm very,very behind on movie watching - can't wait to see this one), and then Miss Potter (out next week!). That ought to get me through a baby sweater.

7. While I was writing this post, Typepad ate my post for the very first time. It reminded me that I need to back up asap - gotta get that Year 2 Blurb book going.

Did you really just read all of that? You're so nice.

Comments

[Judi]

My husband would curl up and hide away if I ever put the T.V in a closet! It would be nice though to actually have real conversation and just imagine everything I could accomplish!

Wait, I'd miss Magnum P.I at 10:00 everyday. Maybe I'd curl up and hide away!

[Rita]

Please don't burn yourself out on Sunken Treasure. What a sad day if you couldn't listen to it anymore! I could listen to Jeff Tweedy play guitar like that all day long!

[Meredith]

I'm laughing out loud b/c I bought that People magazine too, desperate for a thirtysomething reunion. Why can't they release that series on DVd???

I love the seven things about you...fun! Hope you have a great day (and maybe return your library books...hahaha!! I'd love to know what books you've kept out that long. Good stuff??) That would be a fun post too!!

[Allegra]

I like your list. Thanks for sharing!

[heather]

i do the same thing with albums! why do we do this to ourselves? such a shame...

[kristin]

excellent photo!
love the memories of your old van too.
random posts are fun.

[beki]

Ah, so I wasn't the only early teen who loved thirtysomething? Gosh, I LOVED that show!!!

[Ellie]

Hello, thanks for those 7 random things. Its always interesting what people mention when they have to be "random", instead of just everyday-ness... Also, thanks for making me feel *better* (well, not better - but less slack!) about my library books. I have fines that I've not wanted to pay for ages - now I know that I should go and invest the fines into the library for them to get some new good books. And get my son his own library card!

[julia]

what fun random things!

loving the idea of getting another van and converting to biodiesel-- our 83 mercedes station wagon is on biodiesel- and i hope it lasts until the kids show up (we're still a few years away)!

also- volver- AMAZING. i think my favorite of the new/less weird ones.

it's always fun to learn little tidbits about other bloggers- makes me feel like i actually know the people instead of just peeking into their lives all the time. thanks for sharing!

[emily]

it is so nice to know that there are other women out there with outrageous library fines. it feels so much better to be part of a community!

ooh - and i noticed on your sidebar that you're reading the barbara kingsolver book. i'm reading it, too - and driving my husband bananas because i stop every few pages to read something out loud to him. i continue to be amazed by the reality of our food supply.

[Ellie]

PS - I saw the movie Volver at the cinema, with my sister. It was so wonderful, bizarre, thoughtful, beautiful, special. Made us think (and cry) about our Mum. I hope you enjoy your movies+knitting.

[Tee tee]

Ok here's my thoughts on your unfinished degree. I too, was short three courses and although I don't need the degree (today anyways) it has always bugged me that it was unfinished. So two months ago I signed up to finish them by coraspondence. I am on Poli-Sci right now. I have two writing courses after this(yea!). There is a feeling of satisfaction that comes from seeing something through. I want that degree on my wall-why I odn't know but I want it none the less. You may feel this way you may not but all is possible and I just wanted to share my veiw on it.
TT

[Heather]

I have been lurking for months because I love looking at your beautiful creations and adorable children... but I had to comment today because I am the same way about music. We even seem to have the same taste! I just burnt out on Wilco's Sky Blue Sky after listening to it about 800 times in a row with no other music in between. I feel sad about it, but then again, I am seeing them live next week and am pretty sure that it will rekindle my love quickly.

[Amy]

My first car was a white 1970 Westy. I still have it, but it's been parked for 7 years and the earth is reclaiming it. It's being used as a storage shed...so sad.

So you like the new Tori CD? I haven't heard anything off of it yet, but I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it. And I didn't even know about that Jeff Tweedy CD! Have you heard about the new Mark Olsen album?

[bellablue]

Thirtysomething?!?!! OMG! That was my favorite show in highschool after my mom let me get a TV in my room. I'd stay up watching it. Off to see if its ever been released on DVD. It must have been. Thanks for the reminder. Oh, and I loved "My So Called Life" which I believe had the same producers?

[Tania Ho]

love the photo (and I totally agree with you on almodovar and tori amos) !

[Heather]

I know what you mean about the t.v... every once in a while I wish I could watch this show or that show. I keep wondering, "am I the only American that's never seen Survivor?" On the college degree note... of course you don't need a piece of paper to prove how intelligent you are! I bet anyone could guess that within two minutes of talking with you. Your writing is beautiful, articulate, and all around excellent. You're writing a book for heaven sakes! Talk about accomplishment. I DO think you should finish though... for a bunch of practical reasons, but really because it would be a weight lifted off your shoulders. Even if you don't do it for a couple of years. Getting as far as you did would be like designing a queen size quilt, cutting all the pieces, sewing them together, free motion quilting it, and then never putting the binding on. Besides, what's a little less sleep and a few less projects for the etsy shop, right? Big smiles! You're wonderful for sharing and putting yourself out there for unwanted advice. When I start my blog one of these days, you can hound me about all I need to do.

[Laura]

Oooh Jeff Tweedy... Yup, definately on my 500 times a day list.
And the library fines? I'm glad I'm not the only one!

LBxo

[Randi]

I just paid $67.00 at my library about a month ago! Ouch! Just thinking of all the fabric I could have bought makes me frown.

You might try this handy service:

http://www.libraryelf.com/

It sends email alerts when your books are due.

[Stefani]

I had a 1974 Superbeetle! Maybe we saw each other on the side of the road? :-) And MISS POTTER! I can't wait! Yep, read it all, laughed, cried, okay not really, but I DID enjoy getting to know you a little better :-)

[Sarah]

OK. I confess I never saw Thirtysomething. We don't have a TV, but download John Stewart and Gray's Anatomy onto our computers. Luckily, luckily our library doesn't have fines--just a conscience can which I add a few bucks to whenever I've got some in my pocket! Barbara Kingsolver's new book is on my summer read list. I couldn't get into "March" but that may have been because I had just finished reading just about every Civil War novel known to man for a project I was doing. Time to maybe try again.

[Jessica]

Mmm, Miss Potter was good. Just a nice solid movie. Though, really, it could have just been crap and I still would have liked it. Love her books and drawings!

[Melissa]

Haha! My husband has always said the same thing about HIS library fines! :)

[cutpaperflowers]

I love Volver. The story, the visuals, everything. Thank you for sharing 7 random things. I am a very random person and that posting is just for me.

[Anna]

That list was fun to read :-)

I LOVE Almodovar...you should definately see Volver, it's one of my favourites! It's thoughtful--as all his films are--but really quite funny in many way. I liked it.

Well-- I know that having a B.A. doesn't really "mean" that much, but if I were you i'd finish it, since you're only 3 credits away. I think you would probably enjoy the challenge-- but maybe that's just me.:)

[moki]

I love VW stories (I'm a VW gal)
And thritysomething!!! I thought I was the only teenager watching that show! LOL!

[sara]

The value these days of Westphalias is intense and the resale market is quite hot, even for ones that are broken down and busted up! I had no idea until I mentioned it to my boyfriend and he let me know how expensive they are now! (I guess expensive is all relative...but some of the ones I looked at recently were worth about as much as my 2004 Subaru Impreza.)

Also I'm the same way with albums. I can't listen to Arcade Fire's Funeral anymore. (It's a combination of having listened to it too much, the context in which I listened to it, and the memories it brings back.) Sometimes that makes me very sad.

As for school, it's never too late to go back. My friend's mom just graduated from law school and she didn't get her BA until her mid 40s.

[Grace]

Our TV is still out because, well, we don't actually have a closet or attic or basement for it, but it is such a non-issue in our house that I think we all forget it even exists.
On the TV note, I have NEVER seen thirtysomething. I feel like I might be missing out on a piece of Americana or something!

Oh, and the library fines ... glad to know I'm not the only one! And that I'm in such good company about it! Actually, my fines are only about $30 right now, so I actually feel a little bit better, lol. ;)

[Francie Pants]

How glad was I to read #2 & #3!! My husband likes to point out that I'm never allowed to check out books because I always have fines at the library. And it was wonderful to see I'm not the only one who walked away from a degree with only a smidge to go. I had 12 elective credits left til my special ed degree was in my hand. Sometimes I feel bad(usualy as I'm making student loan payments) and look at online courses.... but mostly I knew I left when my heart said go. Even though I could have just done 12 credits of underwater basket weaving.....

[tricia]

i've been hoping we could someday convert our 85 vanagon to biodiesel! we also have a 71 bus with the storage top. love these funny cars.

[SOULEMAMA]

francie pants - underwater basket weaving, yes! ;) And you said just what I feel about it all - I left at just the right time - three credits short or not. The doubt comes with my monthly student loan payment, too. ;)

[Sharon]

I don't feel so bad about our late fees now. I don't know what they are, but I am afraid to find out, which only makes them go up by ignoring it.
I also love the idea of putting the tv in the closet. The kids are addicted and don't really have much of a clue as to what to do with themselves without it. So sad. Well, I know I can do better.

[Lia]

How lovely! What a beautifull picture!! It's really you, we can easily see it! We're probably the same age, more or less!...
Keep posting all this beautifull things! I love it, from here!
Best wishes!

[mav]

really fun!
man ... i love thirtysomething too.
is there really a reunion?!

[Mary A]

Oh, thank you for telling us about your library fines! I owe $50. and have been too mortified to pay up. But you've given me courage!

Thanks, Amanda, for your lovely blog!

[Madeline R]

I love Almodovar, rationalizing my library fines as an important contribution to my community. "Thirty Dying Yuppies" may be having a reunion? !! So cool! It isn't all that cool to realize how much older than all of you I am, as I was NOT a teenager watching that show. Though I wasn't a thirty something either, just twenty-three or so. We had a group of us who got together to watch it.

As for the degree, some of the most successful people I know (I'm talking heads of corporations and really creative entrepreneurs) were just a few credits short of finishing their degrees. There may something powerful in not finishing. I think you are pretty darned successful!

[Kristy]

I love your list. I love many, many of the things on your list too. Including Tori Amos (oh, how many times did I listen to Boys for Pele back in the day?). I love your blog Amanda - I wish I didn't live on the opposite side of the continent!

As for library fines, I'm a public children's librarian and I'd have WAY more than $66 worth of fines if I didn't have fine free status.

[diana]

Go get your degree! ;) Oh, well maybe not because you might not have the time to blog anymore...

[Gemma]

I've been playing with blurb for a few weeks now and I keep getting frustrated with the layout of it. I know you are a terribly busy lady but could you possibly pretty please let me know what size your original book was?

[SOULEMAMA]

Gemma - my book was the standard portrait 8 x 10 size.

[leilalu]

I am all for supporting the local library. I like to think that my forgetfullness is helping thousands get the books they want.lol
Thanks for the seven random things. I read often, but am terrible at commenting. your posts are always inspiring:)

[PattM]

My recent fines? Were over $70. It was only that high since we lost a children's CD and had to pay the replacement cost. It's my way of donating!

[Ahava]

That picture feels like an old memory. It's wonderful.

[Francie Pants]

Thats it... I'm inspired... I'm depositing that paycheck and promptly going to the library to pay off my fines. We like to have date night at the library during our poor'er weeks(when isn't it a poor week) and I'm tired of having to have Rob check my books out for me.

[colleen]

So happy to have my bad library habit validated instead of deplored. I owe $26.81 right now and that's counting a book I had the stomach flu on. (oops.)

I'd love a 30-something reunion. What makes me laugh is how people criticized and ranted about how self-absorbed and narcissistic its characters were. Oh my gee, don't they look like little saints now?

Love the picture! Enjoy Volver (but how can you knit and read subtitles at the same time?)

[ellen]

Great photo. I have to say I have cut back on television to maybe an hour here and there, a lot in part to reading your blog as well as a few others which have inspired me to "do more" with my time. ( Of course I now spend more time on the computer reading blogs....but that's OK. )

[melissa]

i have shocking fines at my local library too, and i always justify it by imagining all the new knitting books they might buy when i pay my fine money... great to know i'm not alone!
i love that picture of you washing the car.

[Amy]

Great Photo...Love it...

Just have to say...I myself, wore out Jeff Tweedy's Sunken Treasure, it was a gift to myself for Christmas, and well, I can't ever watch it again... If you have not already had the chance, the next time he comes around doing his acoustic show...GO...it is so beautiful !!! Much like what he does in Sunken treasure, the tour I saw. I love Sky Blue Sky and am almost to the point of not being able to listen to that as well.... Anyhow enjoy it... Thanks for sharing...

P.S. Love the VW story..so darn cool...

[Sue]

Thirtysomething, what a show. Everytime I watch Brothers and Sisters, I see Holly and it reminds me of that show. She hasnt aged too badly, still has the long blonde hair though. I wish they still did it. It is nice to reminisce.

[Veronica TM]

i read it all and enjoyed it too! we just watched volver {from the tango 'volver', tango is from my city, buenos aires} and really liked it. i am an almodovar's fan too.