Currently freelancing

I told myself I would take a break during Thanksgiving, but clearly that did not end up happening.

mystery solved.

Further to my post wondering where the hell people stash their keys while out running (or in my case, walking), I have discovered their secret: super high-tech running pants or tights that have little zippered pockets above the butt! I discovered this, obviously, by checking out the butts of people who were running past me yesterday. The deal is kind of like these running tights from Lululemon (click for larger picture), except most of the ones I saw had the little pocket on the back waistband. However it is important to note that while this is ingenious, I don't know that I could ever convince myself it's okay to spend $98 on athletic pants.

Pile up

Bookshelf space is at a pretty high premium in my apartment. The two very small bookcases I have can't keep up with my addictive book-hoarding tendencies, and what you see here is the result. One of the things I'm most hoping about whatever new apartment I move into is that I'll have enough space to bring my mondoginormous bookcase that currently resides in my room at my parents' house (this thing is like 8 feet tall, people).

But you know what I noticed about this here stack? Not a one of these books was purchased by me, new, in a bookstore. They are all either from the free book pile at work, swaptree, library sales, gifts, or The Strand. And one of them I think I stole from my mom. I think the only time I bought a new book this year--and it was actually a hardcover--was the new Audrey Niffenegger, and I can't even remember what was the last time before that. It takes a lot for me to plunk down fifteen or twenty bucks on a book when I know I could get five times as many for my money on Swaptree--but I'm glad not everyone is like that, or I'd be out of a job.

Weekend accomplishments

My feet, thigh muscles, and ankles are sore tonight after I went a little Prospect Park crazy this weekend, doing a full loop of the park yesterday and a loop and a half this morning. This 60+ degree weather is probably due to the horrors of global warming (hey, I'm reading Hot, Flat , and Crowded right now, so it's on my mind) but at least it let me get in some park time before it gets freezing soon. And even though there were seventy year olds out and about on the jogging paths passing me at my mere walking pace, it was really enjoyable to be outside early in the morning and getting the old heart rate up. Also I totally am a poser and got one of those armband holder thingies for my iPod so I can listen to Harry Potter audiobooks the whole time. Question: what do people who run do with their stuff? Where do they keep their keys? Also HOW CAN THEY RUN SO MUCH, FOR REALS.

Always freelancing

Among the plot points of this page-turner? White slavery.