June 18 09

Sometimes I delude myself into thinking that I know what I’m doing when it comes to my website. I’m all, “Self! wow! that button that says you are going to blogher is actually from blogher ’08. Maybe it’s time to take that down.” which, naturally, I convince myself is an easy task. I mean, really, it’s just cutting and pasting! I can do that! but then while I’m in there, something happens. I decide to start CHANGING things. I mean, hey, I was kind of interested in a new twitter icon anyway, and there are so many free icon sites out there…I mean, just look at this

twitter_64x64

and then BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE…and I’ve gone and broken the internet. yes, not just my site. The entire internet. because I’m awesome like that.

so, I’m adding another thing to learn to do to my list of, well, things to learn to do. basic web design. html. css. other things currently on the list of things to learn:

to use my camera properly.

to dance without looking like a douche.

to use photoshop.

to play guitar.

to fly a plane.

to sew an original hem on my jeans.

to speak another language.

to accessorize properly.

to love my body.

to try not to snark too much on shows like Riverdance.

I had better get started. I’ve got lots to do.

Including learning how to walk into a book store and NOT drop hundreds of dollars in one fell swoop (also, learning to not use the phrase ‘in one fell swoop’). Seriously. I have issues. I went to Indigo to buy two books – Twilight and New Moon. Apparently, my copies were lent out and never returned. (another thing to learn: keep better track of who has my books) So, I was going to use a gift card to replace them, because, really what good is a four-part series without the first two parts?!

I walked out with, um, many many books. I can’t help it. I swear, a nicely designed cover, a book with buzz, and interesting title and ooh, that paper they use on some trade paperbacks…MAKES ME HOT.

Bright Shiny Morning. A Reliable Wife. Still Alice. The Shack. Daughter of Fortune. The Yiddish Policeman’s Union (the title…swoon)

and then there’s the whole pick-up-a-book-whilst-standing-in-line phenomenon. Those books are placed there for people like me. As I’m standing in line waiting I’m all “Hey! I totally need this mass market paperback Jodi Picoult My Sister’s Keeper even though I find almost every single one of her books completely unsatisfying and sometimes it takes me months to get through a single one [see: 19 Minutes] but, by golly, I need it. I NEED it! It must be mine!” and then I add it to my pile.

and now.

now.

I have to return to the bookstore. To get me a copy of this.

css

I am in trouble.

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  1. First, I’m glad you broke the entire internet because that means I don’t have to write anything today! Woot!

    (second, one thing I must learn is to stop saying Woot!)

    Finally, when bookstore shoppers like you walk out with your arms loaded, we bookstore employees totally Woot! it up and run around giving each other high fives and chug frappaccinos in celebration. We totally love people like you! Buy away, my friend. Buy away!

    Comment by fadkog on June 18, 2009
  2. At one time, a few years back, I loved Jodi Picoult. I bought two or three books in a row, including My Sister’s Keeper and loved them. Then I realized that while she’s a decent story teller, she’s not a very good writer. And that she’s predictable to the point that after you’ve read a few, you know the BIG TWIST 10 pages in. Not good. To be fair, My Sister’s Keeper was very good, but I don’t really understand all the people that rave about her and am so glad to find someone else who finds her unsatisfying. That’s exactly what they are. (I also have issues getting out of Chapters for less than $100 or more…)

    Comment by joscelyn on June 18, 2009
  3. My Sister’s Keeper is very very good. I’ve read a couple other Jodi Picoult books and they’re definitely not as good. But this one is great.

    Comment by Laura on June 18, 2009
  4. OMG…the references to the Edge are hilarious! See they do have female listeners…LOL!

    You list looks a lot like mine. I do know a bit of HTML, XHTML and CSS and BigDaddy is a graphic designer who has shown me a few tricks on Photoshop. But I can’t say I know either of those things amazingly well. (check out http://w3schools.com then you might not need to buy another (1000) books )

    And if you figure out the trick to loving your body, please share it with the rest of us. I love my 2 kids, but not what they’ve done to my body.

    Comment by mapsgirl on June 18, 2009
  5. Bwahahaha!!!! I feel the same way about Jodi Picoult’s books. I have three and have only read two. Can’t bring myself to pick up the last one. (Damn that woman at the bookstore who gushed about the author…)

    Add to MY list: quit buying books until I read ALL of the ones I have already bought.

    Comment by loren on June 18, 2009
  6. Holy crap, you’ve got quite a to-do list there, missy.

    I love all the pretty covers of the books. When I go to the library, that’s what I look for. Hey, maybe you should go to the library!
    .-= Suzy´s last blog ..About Me And The Voices =-.

    Comment by Suzy on June 18, 2009
  7. Delurking to say I *so* feel your bookstore pain- I walk in with the best of intentions, but I see those glossy covers, and that clever artwork and I’m a goner.
    Oh, and the BEST book for html/css is by “Head First”. Sounds a bit pervy, I know, but it totally reminds me of grade school workbooks-you build on skills you’ve learned in each chapter, and it’s written in a funny snarky tone.
    Back to lurking now! : )

    Comment by Deanna on June 18, 2009
  8. OK, I’ve read like 7 of Jodi’s books. My Sister’s Keeper is actually good. By far the only book I can stand of hers. I can’t figure out why she’s successful. All her books have the same plot. But my mom LOVES her and buys every one.

    When you learn CSS will you re-design my blog? Thanks!

    Comment by Kristabella on June 18, 2009
  9. so Ali did you remember to get TWILIGHT and NEW MOON? new moon actually looks pretty awesome especially jacob morphing into GIANT wolf!

    Comment by LAVENDULA on June 18, 2009
  10. My “to do” list is almost identical. (Of course.)

    I even OWN a guitar…

    Comment by Angella on June 18, 2009
  11. I took 3 years of Spanish in High School and can now say maybe a total of 2 sentences in Spanish. If pushed to do so. But don’t quote me on that. So yeah. I would like to learn how to speak another language, but I don’t think it’s in me. Same with the guitar.

    Comment by Crystal on June 18, 2009
  12. Good for you for learning CSS. I didn’t find it that hard, but I have a programming background.

    If you get stuck, there are lots of resources online (including my email address, if you’re so inclined).

    Comment by SciFi Dad on June 18, 2009
  13. I was like that about books until I got a Kindle. Now it’s much, much worse.

    Comment by Avitable on June 18, 2009
  14. HTML is what help is for.

    Comment by slynnro on June 18, 2009
  15. I just moved nine of my books from my “wish list” to my “shopping bag” online this week. I can’t wait to come home from work one day this week to a big box full of fancy new books (including Still Alice, by the way)!

    Comment by Jennifer on June 18, 2009
  16. Can’t your husband teach you HTML? He has mad skillz.

    Comment by Dave on June 18, 2009
  17. Hmm, the only Jodi Picoult book I liked was Nineteen Minutes.

    Inneresting.

    Comment by Julienne on June 18, 2009
  18. Goodness, I also have a list .. a big list .. hee hee.. and guess what? I’ve been obsessing with the whole HTML/CSS/XHTML/JAVA thing for almost a full year now .. crazy crazy stuff =D

    Comment by carla on June 18, 2009
  19. I am thrilled that you own the Twilight series as well. It makes me all kinds of happy.

    Also… I am the dumbest internet person ever. I do not know how to cross out words, or link to other people’s websites. It’s sad.

    Comment by Katie on June 18, 2009
  20. I have stacks and stacks and stacks of books all over my apartment for this very reason.
    .-= Moose´s last blog ..If I Have To Think of a Title, This Post Will Take Forever and Five Minutes. So, No. =-.

    Comment by Moose on June 18, 2009
  21. I’ve also been feeling a strong desire to learn more about web design. I think it’s because I want every part of my website, from the design to the content, to be mine.
    Also, I, too love bookstores, and have a hard time walking out without a book or 7.
    Also, I find Jodi Picoulti tries too hard. She’s almost as bad as Nicolas Sparks.

    Comment by MonsteRawr on June 18, 2009
  22. I’m a small town girl with no book stores around. I love to go to the resale shops and check out the books. Sometimes I’ll leave with a stack of them (some brand new looking) for just a couple of dollars. Bargain books are the best!
    .-= Mollie (aka Mimi)´s last blog ..Grace in Small Things #25 =-.

    Comment by Mollie (aka Mimi) on June 18, 2009
  23. If Jodi Picoult is like Nicholas Sparks, I’d probably like her. I love a good tear jerker!
    .-= Mollie (aka Mimi)´s last blog ..Platelets with Pain =-.

    Comment by Mollie (aka Mimi) on June 18, 2009
  24. I would never lend out my Twilight books, because I’m one of those crazy people who suddenly decide out of the blue to re-read the whole series in one weekend. Apparently, sleeping is for chumps.

    I went to Chapters to help Roomie find a book — he came out empty handed, while I came out with 3 new smutty books. sigh. love new books. LOVE.

    Comment by Nenette on June 18, 2009
  25. I want to learn to do a lot of those things, too. Except flying a plane and sewing, and I’m a def a good dancer. I also want to learn the violin more so than the guitar…. DEF want to learn CSS and coding and photoshop. First I have to GET photoshop. Not sure my little Macbook can handle it, though….

    Sigh…I have no time to read books.

    Comment by Haley-O on June 18, 2009
  26. i love jodi picoult. never read 19 minutes though. did you ever read a child called it?
    i have the same problem but with clothing. i can’t return anything without buying more stuff.. which usually ends with me spending more than i returned.

    Comment by rayli on June 19, 2009
  27. When you figure that book thing out, let me know. I went to B&N to get a couple books for Father’s Day gifts and ended up spending almost $200. WTF?

    Comment by Jill on June 19, 2009
  28. When you figure out the HTML and the dancing, would you please do a post teaching the rest of us? I have also broken the internet recently, and have shattered many (ok, my) illusions and dreams with my dancing over the years. Wah.

    Comment by Legallyblondemel on June 19, 2009
  29. I’m always here to help when you destroy Teh Internets. Xoxox

    Comment by sam {temptingmama} on June 21, 2009
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