Two exciting things from Amazon:

First thing:

Do you know that Amazon offers students a free Amazon Prime account? This means free 2 day shipping with every order! This makes Amazon my 2nd choice for getting text books (1st choice remains the school library and Half.com now slides down to 3rd). Since getting my free account I have been more likely to buy tween novels...





Second thing:

Amazon just announced new, smaller and lighter versions of the Kindle at cheaper prices. I think I want one. I know a conversation about the Kindle can't happen without a comparison to the iPad, but I think the iPad would just be a vortex of distraction for me. And I have enough of that already. I have a Kindle app on my phone and have enjoyed using it.




I need to think about this some more. Maybe my new Amazon Prime account makes buying eBooks a dumb idea? I can buy a used version for $3.00 + free shipping. Then I can give it away.

eBooks appeal to me because I've seen Wall-E but I also am a big fan of physical books and the library. But then again, buying used books also appeals to me (because I've seen Wall-E). But I don't think buying used books support the author at all? Gee wiz. Do you have a Kindle or iPad or an opinion on the topic?

TRUE LIFE: I wanna be a celebrity therapist!

I've spent this summer working at a local Community Mental Health Clinic for my Practicum in Mental Health Counseling. If you've heard any of my stories about it you know it's been quite an experience. This past week two people have reminded me of something I think I must have tucked away in the folds of my unconscious: The Mayonnaise. (!)

Anyway, I've met a lot of characters. This includes a clinician I work closely with named James Taylor who has a long gray ponytail and moonlights as a Colonial Williamsburg reenactor. And this isn't even a client. The bulk of my experience has come from co-facilitating a "Women's Depression CBT Group". In this group we discuss everything from suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, job loss, jail time, PTSD, drug use and medication compliance. Sometimes it's a little overwhelming for old Rutha.

That's why I was glad when I sat down to discuss the group afterwards with Ami, a clinician and my co-facilitator, the discussion evolved from "How do you keep yourself from losing it with these people?" to Dr. Drew's work with the ladies on Teen Mom.

If clinical situations can be compared to an MTV reality show I might have a future in this field.

I was nearly giddy analyzing the life choices and relationships on Teen Mom with a real therapist. Her experience and clinical background brought a richness and complexity to the study of American teen culture...I love this show. Maybe I can count watching it with Perrin as Direct Hours...




Listen, this is a safe sex campaign, OK?

Cloudbrain is hiring in Norfolk!

My brother's software and social media company, Cloudbrain, is expanding to MacArthur Mall in Norfolk. Cloudbrain's mission is to create revolution through networked social interaction. Cloudbrain builds “social media applications” – websites and programs that get better as more people use them.

Cloudbrain is lauching TidySongs into the retail world and is looking to hire some outstanding employees to help them do so. Here's a quick overview of the product:



If you are into the internet, music and all things viral you should check out the job posting on Cloudbrain.com.

Fashion + Family Planning

If I had $100 for every time I was asked when I am having children, I'd already be living in the North End (or Pungo, depending on my mood). So when Alice surprised me with this little incentive, I couldn't help but tell her I'd think about it.


Aww! How can I not love this?

The funny thing is, this is not the first time a Curtin family member has used fashion to push their agenda on me. Dave once tried to convince me that the fastest way to go from slothfest to obsessive runner was buying myself a nice jogging outfit from a running magazine. I told him that 1) I don't want to run and 2) I am not motivated by fashion. But a year later I ran 2 miles with him. He told me my face was so red that I should probably walk for a while.

So, ladies with babies, what little trinket motivated you to plunge into maternity?

A Mayer Hawthorne Pool Party

Sybil use to try to get me to listen to Mayer Hawthorne, but I think I just forgot. Too bad because looks like I've been missing out:




Why do I feel like I've been to this pool party? I think it stirs up memories of Neptune's Daughter, the Esther Williams movie my cousins and I watched on repeat with Baba. We could reenact if for you if you wanted, or wait... we have that on family video already.

I hope you watch that trailer in the link because it doesn't get much better than that. So, which video do you like more? Can you even choose??

so happy!

I've been out of windshield wiper fluid all summer. I hope that when I drive off on 264 after tomorrow's oil change I get this sweet surprise.

by Helmut Smits via booooooom!

Hipstamatic

We get cool, expensive phones so we can make-believe that they are cheap plastic cameras. I hope I remember to get my film developed!

Check out my new favorite app, Hipstamatic.

How stinking cute are my nieces Foo and Alyesia?

Renesmee is coming!!!

Wow, what a freakshow! This book drove me bonkers but I can't wait to see it...



Sorry for all the vampire biznazz... I've gotten sucked into Youtube tonight...

SOOKIE'S MINE

Another day, another vampire series. I was swamped with school work this past week which of course meant one thing: all I wanted to do was read the first Sookie Stackhouse novel, "Dead Until Dark". I have seen some of True Blood and was coaxed by Ann to check out the books. Well, I don't remember True Blood being as funny as the book.



And a shout out to my boy Seth Rogen:



(I love you Jason Segel, even though it took me 2 years and an interview with Terri Gross on Fresh Air to figure out who you are...)

So, are you reading any good vampire books that you want to recommend? I'm always looking for a new bandwagon to jump on.

Will the real Seth Rogen please stand up?

You know those guys that make those movies? You know like Knocked Up and Pineapple Express and Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I love you man? Those guys. Well, I call them all Seth Rogen. Always have. Tommy has tried setting me straight, but our convos always go like this:

R: Oh man, Seth Rogen was hilarious in that movie we just saw.
T: That wasn't Seth Rogen.
R: WHAT? The guy with the curly hair?
T: Yeah, that wasn't him.
R: What? Than who was he?
T: I don't know but it wasn't Seth Rogen.
R: Ok... so what does Seth Rogen look like.
T: I don't know, he has curly hair... he was in Knocked Up.

And so it has gone on for two years. I could never figure out who Seth Rogen was, so he was everyone to me. I loved him so much, I always laughed at him. It wasn't until this past week when Tommy and I started watching Freaks and Geek that things became much clearer.

Ok, one of these guys is Jason Segel, one is James Franco and then there is the elusive and ever present Seth Rogen. Now can you tell me who's who?



WHO CARES!!! James Franco is such a babe! RIP Freaks and Geeks, you sure ruled.

guest post!

I have been encouraged to update this website a lot, like daily. I have played that encouragement forward and asked for some guest commentary. Say "Hello" to my first guest! I hope to make her a regular spotlight on here. -Rutha


Vacation at the beach means a lot of good things. Lounging and laughing with toes in the sand. Quality time spent with old friends, telling and retelling funny stories. Getting tossed around by the rolling waves. Demonstrating that our cooking skills have, in fact, improved in the past few years. Finding the local hotspots (if you’re ever in Kitty Hawk, check out Jerome’s for a casual pub feel, Crow Bar for late night action).

All in all, a great weekend. But it wouldn’t be a vacation on the Atlantic Seaboard (and certainly not a road trip) if we didn’t stop at everyone’s favorite quick-service chicken restaurant: Chick-Fil-A.

Now, my mouth has been watering for the new Spicy chicken since I received an “exclusive invitation” to reserve one during the sandwich’s soft launch. Unfortunately, DC is a certifiable Chick-Fil-A desert. And, the Sabbath doesn’t help.

That said, I made one request of my road trip co-pilot: The Spicy. Long ago at the William and Mary MP, a good friend taught me to combine Ranch and Buffalo sauce to make the perfect sandwich. The Spicy sounded like it would perfectly meet my Chick-Fil-A expectations!

At 1:35 on Monday afternoon (several days later than I would have liked) we pulled in to a friendly Fredericksburg Chick-Fil-A. This place had TWO drive-throughs! TWO drive-throughs!

I had one minute of reservation at the counter. Like I said, I don’t get to Chick-Fil-A often, and what if the Spicy was a let-down. But, before I knew what was happening, my co-pilot took the reins ordered our sandwiches, fries and milkshakes (hey, we were still on vacation). When I asked for Ranch for the Spicy, I got a look from the cashier that made me think I was supposed to eat it plain. Uh-oh. The sauce is what sets Chick-Fil-A apart.*

All-in-all, my last-minute instinct had been right. It was good, but the original – with the limitless sauce combinations is great. Maybe perfect.


So here’s to next year’s vacation. One year older, and certainly one year wiser.



* After much thought, I think the Spicy might be a ploy to limit sauce distribution.

-corinne

You would think I'd be setting myself up for disappointment by calling my best day of the year before it happens, but Fourth of July never fails. Check out the cake Corinne and I made to celebrate! The day including a beach party, a dinner party and an after party at the rooftop Crowbar complete with fireworks and dancing. Tommy surprised many with his singing and dancing, but not me.

Are you impressed by our cake?? We were practically peeing on ourselves with excitement when we dramatically sliced into it for the big reveal. I'm sure you can imagine.

introducing carter mccall strickland!

Meet my new niece! Check out photographer Sarah Cramer's pictures of Daniel and Lindsey's newest addition, baby Carter.

dark clouds/rays of sun/more please

I'm packing, cleaning, baking and waiting for Tommy to get back from the office so we can leave for our vaycay. I thought I could take a few minutes to continue imagining certain paintings as a necessary part of the therapeutic process.

Black clouds, rays of sunlight? Let's slip some hope into the darkness.

Again, thanks to boooom! for exposing me to Sebastian Vallejo.