Self-Edited: Vinessa Erminio's Blog

August and everything after

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:11:00 +0000

I think it's obvious by now that I'll never get into the habit of blogging here regularly. Even one measly post per month is proving to be a challenge. I actually came up a few ideas for blog posts this month, which, for various reasons, never came to fruition. Here are the post ideas that I still can recall:

* A diatribe on how silly it is that kids just don't walk to school anymore. Especially in my hometown, which doesn't provide busing since the furthest any kid would have to travel is maybe 1/2 a mile. I abandoned this one mostly because I couldn't figure out a way to write it without sounding like a crotchety old biddy ("Doggone kids! Why back in my day....") but also because I was recently reminded of some valid reasons why parents wouldn't want their kids walking around unsupervised in my hometown.

* A preview of all of the great remastered Beatles music and the Beatles Rock Band game being released on 9/09/09, along with some fond memories of first hearing the original LPs and CDs back in the mid-80s. I guess there's still time left to write this one, but I'm not counting on it. The way things are going, I probably won't even break open the packaging on these new goodies until Thanksgiving.

* Some yammering about how we all need to take responsibility for the choices we make, and life's too short to be miserable all the time, and stuff along those lines. I'm sure I'll revisit the topic when I'm feeling especially philosophical.

* Another diatribe, this time about how ridiculous it is that New Jerseyans STILL aren't allowed to pump their own gas. I mean, seriously.

* An elaborate and exhaustive review of a variety of British chocolate bars. I was all set to go on this one, but unfortunately the test samples seem to have mysteriously disappeared.

Oh well. See ya next month!

I can't even think of a good title for this one

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:58:00 +0000

The month is nearly over - again - and I can't think of anything to say - again.

So, instead of a proper blog post, I bring you this awesome Washington Post interview with Paul McCartney.

I'll try harder next month, I promise.

Doing the time warp again

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:34:00 +0000

About a week ago, the following thought actually entered my head: Isn't Memorial Day coming up soon? I didn't have my holidays confused - I truly believed that it was the middle of May. Once I realized my mistake, it took me a few more minutes before I could remember anything at all about how I had actually spent Memorial Day. I got no further than "burgers were eaten" before giving up.

I'm finding this has been happening a lot lately - I sit down at my desk at 11:00 AM, and the next thing I know, it's 4:00 PM (and I'm really hungry). I stumble out of bed on Monday morning and soon enough, I'm annoyed with myself for waking up so early on a Saturday. I'm thinking about Memorial Day, and then I realize it's July 4.

I finish one blog entry, and suddenly another month has passed and I have to come up with something new to write to keep the streak going. Someday, I'll actually write some coherent - and perhaps even interesting - blog entries. But not today - I need to go buy a pie for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. How about those Jets this year, huh?

Talkin' 'bout their generation

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Earlier this month, my employer announced company-wide pay cuts and an increase in insurance premiums (on top of a mandatory 2-week unpaid furlough announced earlier this year), which pretty much demolished any interest I had in keeping the "How I Spent My Extra 10 Bucks" series going. But luckily, there are plenty of other things that interest me and should make for good blog fodder, assuming I can actually make the commitment to write some quality entries.

Classic rock, for example. A few days ago, I found a link to this diatribe (I can't remember who linked to it, or I'd give you credit) that claims that "young people who subsist on classic rock are traitors to their contemporaries." And while the writer, Ben Westhoff, has a point that today's rock bands probably aren't being given a fair chance by someone like me, whose music collection is dominated by albums released before I was born, I think it's unfair to demand that we stop listening to all of this great music just because it's from our parents' generation.

Westhoff argues that we shouldn't be listening to our parents' Beatles and Dylan albums, since they in turn weren't interested in their own parents' Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller records. But I think he's overlooking the fact that so many artists of the '60s were so much more than their music. For example, the Beatles weren't just a band, they were a worldwide phenomenon that forever changed the face of music and popular culture. And, morbid though it may be, I think that John Lennon's shocking murder only added to the Beatles' mystique for those of us who are too young to have remembered it. And so many other classic rock artists had both a tremendous social impact and tragic stories that drive their continued popularity.

And also, the music is just that damned good. In 200 years, I think the Beatles and Dylan will be as well-known and well-loved as Beethoven and Mozart are today. The best music transcends generations, and there are many of us who recognize that although we may have missed the '60s, we are at least lucky enough to see some of these legendary artists perform in our lifetimes. So that's why we're still flocking to Paul McCartney concerts. And that's why I'm not going to feel guilty about my latest album purchase - "A Quick One," by The Who, originally released 43 years ago. It's a great album, by a great band, and I'm going to have a great time listening to it. And really, isn't that enough?

How I Spent My Extra 10 Bucks: Week 4

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:42:00 +0000

Socks! Yes, I spent this week's $10 on socks.

Hey, I never promised all of these entries would be entertaining. It's been a rough week. But they are nice socks.

How I Spent My Extra 10 Bucks: Week 3

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:05:00 +0000

Almost 2 years ago, a friend introduced me to the fun and addictive world of Postcrossing. It's a very simple idea: you mail a postcard to a Postcrossing member in another country, and after they've received it, another member will send a postcard to you. Each postcard is assigned an ID number so it can be tracked on the website, and all recipients are assigned at random so you'll never know which country your next postcard will come from.

I was dubious at first, but it's really a lot of fun! The majority of members come from just a handful of countries - the USA has the most members, with Finland, surprisingly, at #2. As a result, the majority of cards I've received have been from Finland (they have some really cool stamps, by the way), but you still a pretty good mix of countries. Today I received a card from Düsseldorf, Germany!

Although the element of surprise is fun, it can also be frustrating. Although I've received more than 60 cards - including a whopping 18 from Finland - I have yet to receive a single postcard from Italy! Italy ranks 13th out of all countries in the number of Postcrossing members, so it's not as if the chances of getting a card from Italy are slim. I've gotten cards from Norway, New Zealand, Belarus, and even Estonia, of all places! Why can't I get just one measly card from the land of my ancestors? I think Postcrossing's "random" distribution system is mocking me.

I sent out a bunch of cards recently (trying to finish off my stamps before the postal rate increase next month) but yet I remain thwarted in my quest for an Italian postcard. So I put this week's $10 toward some more international postage that will inevitably result in 10 more cards from beautiful Lapland. But there's always hope! And if you'd like to check out all the neat cards I've received so far, click here.

How I Spent My Extra 10 Bucks: Week 2

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:55:00 +0000

My local library is awesome. It's big, it's well-stocked, it's actually open past sundown several days per week, and it's part of a huge cooperative so my card is good for lending at nearly every other public library in the surrounding area. It also sponsors fun bus trips to Broadway shows (a time-honored tradition throughout the north Jersey suburbs). My one complaint is that its book renewals max out at eight weeks, which isn't nearly long enough for a slow reader like me. Then again, maybe if I didn't check out 10 books at a time, that wouldn't be such an issue...

Anyway, as a librarian, a library patron, and an English major, I figured a $10 donation was the least I could do to support a place, a concept, and a career choice that is quite awesome indeed. And I also didn't want to fall into a pattern where I end up spending my $10 on food every week. (Speaking of which, libraries have awesome cookbook collections! Check it out!) Viva la biblioteca!

How I Spent My Extra 10 Bucks: Week 1

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:31:00 +0000

Last week, a new federal tax credit kicked in, resulting in an extra $10 per week in the paychecks of about 95% of the U.S. workforce. Consumers are encouraged to spend the extra cash in order to stimulate the economy. Since I happen to be a) a part of this illustrious 95%; b) paid on a weekly basis; and c) looking for a blog gimmick, I thought I'd share the fruits of my weekly windfall with you, gentle reader. You get to learn more about me and my spending habits (until you grow bored after realizing what a dull person I really am), and I get to brush up on my writing skills. It's a win-win! At least until I run out of ideas by Week 8 or so. But until then, here goes.

This week's choice was an easy one. I happen to love Easter candy - Gertrude Hawk Easter candy in particular. According to my latest test results, my blood is 4.3% Peanut Butter Smidgen filling. It's good stuff.

I also happen to know at least one person with a child, which means I've been solicited for every conceivable school fundraiser in the tri-state area. Candles! Gift wrap! Cheesecake! Oranges! ....Oranges? And Easter candy. Glorious Gertrude Hawk Easter candy. So I gladly signed away $10 of my precious stimulus money for some delicious Almond Butter Crunch.

I won't reveal when this picture was taken, but I've already finished all of the candy. Happy Easter/Passover/2nd Weekend of April to all!

Smarch madness

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:27:00 +0000

Once again, I've reached the end of a month without writing a single entry in this blog. Perhaps it's for the best, because March wasn't exactly a month I want to commemorate. It had its moments, but the bad ones definitely outnumbered the good.

I think I'll go watch the penultimate episode of the U.S. version of "Life On Mars" so I'm ready for the series finale tomorrow. It figures, I finally find a show I really like and it gets canceled in its first season. Pretty soon the only times I'll even bother to turn on the TV will be for NFL games and maybe an occasional "Ace Of Cakes" episode. Seriously, any bakery that can produce this has won me as a fan for life. Once a band geek...

Nothing to say, but it's OK

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:30:00 +0000

I'm hoping I can jot down at least one entry per month until I figure out exactly what I want to do with this blog, so here's February's contribution. I find that the best blogs focus on a single topic - nobody, except for one's closest friends and nosiest relatives, is really interested in a collection of disorganized ramblings about a ton of unrelated subjects. Aside from a few friends' blogs, the only blogs I follow concentrate on one topic, be it librarianship or comics or personal finance or a specific business or TV show.

But what to write about? I have a wide variety of interests, but they all seem to be well covered in the blogosphere already. Someone suggested I write about all the weird dreams I've had, but I haven't even had a good one of those lately. All I can remember from last night's dream is that I was drinking orange juice, and thinking, "This is really good orange juice." Riveting stuff, I know.

Thus concludes my most boring blog entry to date. I'm going to go get a glass of orange juice.

25 random things. Woohoo!

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:27:00 +0000

Here's that "25 Random Things" meme that's been going around Facebook...I thought I'd post it here as well. Enjoy!

1. I can't wink my right eye. The left one winks like it's supposed to; the right one refuses to move independently of the left. I'm not sure if it's a genetic thing, or if I've suffered the world's mildest stroke.

2. I hate root vegetables. Turnips, beets, ginger - blech! I don't even like root beer. Carrots are tolerable in small amounts, but I'd still rather go without. They all taste bitter to me.

3. My name is spelled "Vinessa" after my dad, Vincent. I'm the youngest of three girls, so my parents figured I was the closest they'd ever get to having a Vincent Jr. As a kid, it annoyed me tremendously when my teachers insisted that my name was spelled "wrong" (my parents were ahead of their time with the creatively-spelled name trend). If I ever have kids, I'm giving them simple, unambiguous names spelled in the traditional way.

4. I'm not really interested in having kids, but I'd love to have lots of animals. Preferably dogs. It's too bad it's so hard to find an apt. around here that will accept them. Dogs are awesome! And I'm giving them simple, unambiguous names spelled in the traditional way.

5. I never learned how to roller skate. Which means I missed out on countless childhood birthday parties at the Wallington Roller Rink.

6. I spent a semester in college selling hot dogs at Walt Disney World. The job was awful, but I'd move back to Orlando tomorrow if I could.

7. My oldest sister and I are 13 years and 1 day apart. So our parents would celebrate our birthdays together, sometimes with interesting results. My sister may be the only person alive who celebrated her Sweet 16th birthday with a Kermit The Frog cake.

8. My other sister (10 years older than me) and I shared a bedroom until I turned 11. Imagine being 15 and sharing your room with a 5-year-old. I still don't think she's quite forgiven our parents for that. She still tells stories about finding my My Little Ponies tucked into her sneakers when she'd change for gym class.

9. That same sister is responsible for me becoming a Beatles fan. She had the complete set of UK LPs and played them nonstop. When we got our first VCR, the very first tape she bought was "A Hard Day's Night." After that, I was hooked for life.

10. I've been a fan of horse racing ever since the 1989 Preakness. My family picked horses' names out of a hat. I got Sunday Silence, who ended up winning one of the most exciting races in history:

And I won 18 bucks! A huge windfall for a 10-year-old. How could I not be a fan after that?

11. I was raised Catholic, but I no longer consider myself one. I'm still not satisfied with where I am, religion-wise, but I know Catholicism isn't the right fit for me.

12. I've ridden the Big Dog!

13. Despite being 100% Italian, I had never seen any of the Godfather movies in their entirety until I was 27 years old. I have no excuse for this egregious oversight.

14. I never left the Eastern Time Zone until age 24.

15. I never left the United States until age 29.

16. I didn't do much of anything until I hit my 20s, come to think of it.

17. When I'm alone, I like to sing. A lot. I sing in the shower, in the laundry room, in the car, in the office when there's nobody else within earshot...I don't have a very strong voice, but I do manage to stay on key. Usually.

18. I write a hell of a lot more eloquently than I speak.

19. The most useful class I took in high school, by far, was a typing class.

20. Although I could use the extra height, I don't wear heels. They hurt. A lot.

21. As I've stated elsewhere, I don't like heated car seats. I've tried them, and I just cannot get used to the sensation of warmth emanating through my butt. It's just not natural.

22. Lest all of the mockery above give you the wrong impression, I love my family dearly. We don't always "get" each other, but they're all pretty awesome. And fun to be around.

23. I love my job, too. I somehow managed to find the perfect niche between the worlds of journalism and librarianship that's exactly right for me. I hope for many good years ahead...

24. ...But if there aren't, I'd consider going back to school for my Ph.D. Preferably in a warmer climate. I hear the U. of Texas has an excellent information studies program...

25. ...Or maybe I'll write a book. Judging from my experience writing this list, it'd be 2300 pages long and will take me 60 years to write. But the title will be simple and unambiguous.

Abort, retry, fail

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:42:00 +0000

I'm writing this post from my small emergency backup laptop ("Zippy") because my large main laptop ("Earnest") appears to have bitten the dust. I guess I shouldn't be surprised - my first two laptops only lasted about two years each, and this one managed to make it past three. I should have realized it was living on borrowed time.

I'm hoping I can recover some of the laptop's files - despite two previous laptop hard drive failures, I still haven't learned my lesson, so I only had some of the data backed up beforehand. When I ran a CHKDSK, it indicated that the hard drive has "one or more unrecoverable errors," which quickly brought two thoughts to mind:

1. Oh, crap.

2. "Unrecoverable Errors" would be an excellent title for Bush's memoirs.

A time to blog, a time to lose a 23-point lead

noreply@blogger.com (Vinessa) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:21:00 +0000

So I'm flipping through the channels, looking for something to get the bad taste of UConn's International Bowl win out of my mouth. I stumble upon the Rutgers/Tennessee women's basketball game - on CBS, no less! The original, Channel 2 CBS! - and lo and behold, the Scarlet Knights have a big lead deep into the second half. Against Tennessee, a team I cannot recall us ever defeating in the Stringer era.

So I put the remote down and proceeded to witness what was probably the worst collapse in college basketball history. Or at least, one of the worst. Rutgers, which had led by as much as 23 at one point, went on to lose, 55-51.

Screw this. I'm going to go back to reading my novel.

Welcome to the blog, by the way. So far I haven't decided exactly what the focus of this blog will be, but if this first post is any indication, there will be lots of griping about sports and sentences beginning with "so" and "or." My high school English teachers would be so proud.