Shirt Dresses: A Wise Decision? I think not...

I live in a southern city along the Atlantic coast. Because of its proximity to the water, I believe it is okay for women to get away with wearing clothes that are similar to what most people would call "beach wear." However, there is one particular item of clothing that has become popular especially within the female population of our local college. It is the "shirt dress" and it's widespread use has reached epidemic proportions. I don't know where it came from, and I don't really care, but it needs to go.

I'm not even kidding, I've seen girls wearing shirts like the one on the right with Ugg boots and no pants...bleh!

This doesn't mean that I poo-poo on girls who want to showcase their legs. If you've got it, flaunt it...but please please please do it tastefully. It has almost become a spectator sport for my friends and I whenever we walk around downtown to see these girls who obviously looked in the mirror that morning and thought: Can I get away with wearing no pants? And their answer to that loaded question was a big YES! Thankfully, once the weather starts getting cooler (which doesn't happen till late October around here) the girls will start pairing those "dresses" with leggings or tights.

Please note that I put quotations around "dresses" because in my opinion, these items are shirts and not dresses at all. For proof, I can cite trying on a shirt at Target. Want to know how I knew it was a shirt? Well, for one thing my posterior would have caught quite a considerable breeze without britches, and lo and behold, the darn tag said "t-shirt" plain as day. Not a week later, I'm at a concert and I see a girl wearing that same shirt as a dress. Now, her body was great, but the combination of heavy drinking and stripper shoes really took away the legitimacy of her outfit as a dress. And here's an example of the ever-skanky lingerie dress:

Keep it in the bedroom darlin'

So, ladies, my point is that you can be sexy without showing everyone your business. Try for a little mystery. And I realize men reading this will probably disagree, but too much leg says trashy, not high fashion. And I can't see how constantly worrying about a rogue breeze lifting your skirt up on a windy day is a good thing.

What's better than a shirt dress? A shirt dress dancing on a table at a bar!

Unfortunately for me, the girls at this college spend more time shopping than they do reading, so I don't know if I will ever see an end to this trend. But for the rest of you, perhaps there is hope.

The meanderings of a hapless idiot...

One of my classmates who is away for the summer came to visit a week ago. She brought her younger sister, and we had a lot of fun hanging out at the beach and driving out to the internship work site of three of our classmates. I consider myself to be a very confident and capable person, but some things I did on each of the days I hung out with my visiting friend makes me wonder...

DAY 1

On our way to the beach, we stopped at Publix to pick up some sandwiches. While in line, we girls were chatting it up. I carry a big purse which has been known to knock into things. (I'm talking specifically about the time I knocked over and broke a wine class at a student/faculty party with same said purse) Apparently this was one such occasion. As I turned, I heard three or four thuds behind me. I figured I knocked a few boxes of a shelf or something, but no. I turn around and see that I have knocked several pears into a tall trash can. I know they were pears because there was one left in a bag (the kind you put your produce in) on top of the trash can. I laughed it off, thinking somebody had picked up some pears, then decided not to get them.




Not two minutes later, this lady comes over with a sandwich in hand and walks right up to the trash can. Now, we're still in line, so I'm right next to her. She picks up the lone pear and looks at her friend and says "Somebody stole my pears." I love my friend, but she has a tendency to laugh too loud in the wrong situations, and I could feel my ears turning red in embarrassment. We snickered...not maliciously....as the lady's friend deduced they had been knocked into the trash can.

I suppose a considerate person would have told her what really happened to the pears, but I just couldn't do it. What was I supposed to say? "Um, sorry...I dumped your pears in the trash can and left them there?" I don't think so. If we had been somewhere else, I probably would have said something, but we were at a grocery store, so she could go get some more pears. But, that ended up being a moot point because she just reached right on in and retrieved the pears! I know we all wash our produce before we eat it, but I sincerely hope what I buy hasn't been sitting in a trash can.



DAY 2

The next day, we drove out to the where our classmates have been working on restoring historic windows at a plantation. It's a 40-minute drive there one-way, so we settled into our trip. I was driving because my friend's car's check engine light had come on. OK, I know you're thinking my bad luck with technology rubbed off on her car, but I'm hoping that wasn't the case.

About 20 minutes into the trip, I see a blue thing in the middle of my lane on the interstate. I thought it was a bag or something, but there were cars on either side of me so I couldn't change lanes to go around it. All of a sudden, I hear a dull thud and scraping noise. We've been hit! It took me about .2 seconds to realize that we were dragging something under my car. I immediately pull over, put my hazards on, and get out to check on the damage. I'm always nervous stopping the side of the interstate, but there was no way I could keep driving with that thing under my car. So there I am, kneeling beside my car in 95 degree heat and what do I see? Oh, well, there's a blue plastic milk crate (see picture below) stuck to the bottom of my Jeep. And by stuck, I mean it's lodged under the car without touching the ground. (This brings to mind the time I was on my way to the beach at night with friends and we hit a bat which got stuck spread-eagle in the front grill....at least the plastic crate wasn't alive)

I think it didn't do as much damage since it had already been hit a few times and was pretty bent out of shape. After my friend and I push and pull on it, the thing finally comes loose and I throw it into the ditch by the road. I figure it's not littering if it was already there. Besides, I was doing people a service by getting it out of the road.

These are just a few things that go against my self-vision as a competent and contributing member of society. I really do mean well, but I suppose we all have our own idiot-moments now again. Let me know about yours....maybe they'll make me feel better.

The Technology Angel of Death Strikes Again!

OK, so my very first post explained my abismal relationship with technology. I joke about it, but sometimes I wonder if I'm cursed. I manage to kill things without even trying. You may think I'm overreacting, but let's see what you think after I tell you about my most recent technology woes.

Exhibit A: My mostly new camera is the biggest battery whore I've ever seen. I got a really nice camera when I began graduate school since we take a lot of pictures of architecture and interiors, so we need a good zoom. When taking pictures to document a plantation and its outbuildings, I discovered that the camera would take about 5-10 pictures before dying. I bought an 8-pack of AA batteries and used them all over the span of about 3 hours. It still works, but I can only wonder what the problem is.

Exhibit B: I live near the beach, so I've been trying to visit it as much as I can while class is out for the summer. On one such occasion, I stopped at Taco Bell for some lunch on my way over. I don't eat fast food often, but I get a craving every once in a while. I also got a drink which I stupidly put in my beach bag. Naturally, it spills and I have a bad feeling that my iPod became yet another casualty. It isn't broken, but some of the songs started skipping. So, I took the advice of some friends who have had experiences with submerged cell phones and left it alone for a few days to make sure it dries out completely. I'm still too nervous to turn it on.

Exhibit C: The most frustrating thing so far has been my car. I drive a 2002 Jeep and even though it was bought used, it's been an excellent car with very few problems. However, I am getting ready to take the dang thing back in to the car dealership for the third time in less than a month. The first problem was a rear window that wouldn't go up and down with the switch anymore. All I did was try to let a moth out and the thing craps out on me. I got to pay the men at the dealership a $60 service fee to hook something that had become unhooked. They found multiple other things to fix....of course....and I paid them another $85 to get my check engine light to go off. And when I got back in my car to leave, guess what? The check engine light is still on! By then end of it all I've paid them another $115 to fix it and I feel like I've been had. I know I'm a girl who doesn't know anything about cars, but it's not fair that I have to go into a car place and feel like I'm being swindled. Egh! To make matters worse, my car is now sporting it's own personal jet engine rumbling noise complete with the smell of burnt rubber whenever I drive somewhere. So now I'm getting ready to take it in for a third time.

My lack of success with all things technological and mechanical is very frustrating to me. I know so little about most of it that I am completely stranded when something goes wrong. My dad usually takes care of these things for me. I know that must make me sound pretty useless, but I'll admit that it's nice to let someone else take care of that sort of thing when they're good at it. I completely trust my dad in all things, but he's not here to do this for me. It's hard to appear like you know what your doing when you don't. I suppose I'll find out the damage when I take my car in to the shop tomorrow. Hopefully it can be fixed before I leave town in a week.

And so, my ill-fated relationship with technology continues...

"The Hangover" - Definitely worth it!

I'll go see just about anything at the movies. I like adventure, comedy, suspense, historical, action, and horror, you name it. So, I enjoy raunchy guy movies just as much as the next person....most of the time. Some of them are so disgusting in their attempts to get a laugh that it just becomes awkward and contrived.

However, that was not the case with "The Hangover." I don't think I've laughed that hard and continuously through any movie I've ever seen. The casting was spot-on, and they kept the plot moving with hilarious hijinks that were exactly what you'd expect from four guys who'd been slipped roofies during a batchelor weekend in Las Vegas. We girls had man-candy Bradley Cooper to look at while the entire cast was just plain hysterical so I was a happy camper.

I definitely recommend this movie...for mature audiences only of course. If you're looking for a good laugh and don't want to waste your money, this movie is a perfect choice.

Favorite Quotes:

Phil: Would you please put some pants on? I feel weird having to ask you twice

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Stu: She is wearing my grandmother’s Holocaust ring.
Alan: I didn’t know they gave out rings at the Holocaust.

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Alan: Tigers love pepper... they hate cinnamon.

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Stu: We’re not going to leave a baby in the room. There’s a f***ing tiger in the bathroom.

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Phil: It's Phil, leave a message. But don't text me. It's gay.

Ramblings of a frazzled student...

My main task over the next two months will be to write a proposal for my master's thesis. My internship is winding down, and I've been offered a part-time job with a gift shop and house museum that is run by the foundation I am interning with. That, combined with two weddings (one that I'm going to and one that I'm in), makes for a fun and relaxing summer. So why am I worried? Two months is plenty of time, but I have found that when I am not in school, I have a difficult time focusing on school-related things.

I can read for hours, hang out at a friend's place, or go to a movie and have a blast, but I have this constant niggling tightness in my stomach thinking about the coming year and how hard it will be. I am not worried because I know that I am a good researcher and writer. I find that I feel this nervousness before I begin every paper I write, and I can say with certainty that my thesis will be the biggest paper I will have written to this date. So, it is understandable to be nervous starting out. I suppose it is mostly the unknown that puts me ill at ease. I have an idea for my thesis, but I still haven't fleshed it out which makes it this abstract idea that's been floating around in my head for several months. However, I am thankful for my calm, easygoing attitude that comes from God because I would surely be a bundle of exposed nerves without Him.




While I love all of my classmates dearly, some of them let their nerves get the better of them and have mini freak-outs around due dates for papers and projects. I am usually able to keep things in perspective, but their nervous energy sometimes rubs off on me. It's like when you've studied all night for a test, then when you come into class on test day and everybody is quizzing each other and doing a last minute scramble through their notes. That may work for some of you, but it definitely does not work for me. When I was in grade school, I had to sit and listen to it, but thankfully now that I'm in graduate school, I can leave the room till time for the test to start. I see no point in making yourself sick over something five minutes before you're to be tested on it. My theory is you'll do as well as you've prepared yourself to do, and after that, you have no control over the situation. I think many people lose sight of that and needlessly worry over things they cannot control.

So, when they freak out, I try to calm them and help them put things in perspective. If that doesn't work, I get the heck away from them so I won't get sucked into their black hole of nervousness and worry.


As a cathartic experience for myself, I think I'll tell you about my thesis idea if you'll indulge me:

Historic preservation is such an interesting and diverse field. By preserving old buildings, we are preserving our history and culture. Winston Churchill said "We shape our buildings; thereafter, our buildings shape us." In addition to preserving our culture, historic preservation is also complimentary with sustainability and adaptive reuse of buildings.

Many of the historic preservation pioneers are dying out, and I wonder if newer generations will have the same love and reverence for historic buildings as those who came before them. The city where I live used to have families who had been living in their historic homes for generations. They had blood ties to these buildings that indoctrinated them to preserve their history. However, the dynamics of the city are changing, and more and more downtown homeowners are from other places. Unless they are sensitive to the needs of historic buildings, their loose connection will make them less likely to preserve what is historically significant and their children will not grow up with a respect and knowledge of historic buildings.

How can we expect children today to appreciate history and all of its buildings and structures if we do not educate them on the subject? They won't grow up to understand all of the financial, environmental, and social benefits of restoring downtown areas and adaptively reusing a building rather than tearing it down for new construction. If young people are not adequately informed on this, then it will be very hard for cities to have continued support for their historic structures.

I would like to find a way to get children and young adults excited about historic preservation. I could create educational activities and/or lesson plans for young people to participate in at museums and historic sites as well as in the classroom. I would also research how other historic cities address this issue. The Preservation Resource Center in New Orleans, LA is a good example of an organization that has been successful engaging student interest in preservation.

OK, so that is just a start, but I think it is an issue that is relevant and important for the preservation of our historic structures. Thanks for listening to my ramblings!

'Grab your torch and pitchfork!' -Shrek

As part of my internship, I sometimes attend city zoning meetings. Being an intern, I don't actively participate in the proceedings, but it is a learning experience to see how zoning ordinances and variances are handled in a historic city. Most of the time, it's rather boring, but last night....well, let me just tell you about last night.

Without going into too many specifics, let's just say a neighborhood association got their panties in a twist because a business was requesting that the zoning for a building in the neighborhood be changed from residential to office use. The building was never used as a residence in its almost 100 year existence. Despite the fact that there are other commercial buildings sprinkled throughout the neighborhood, this particular business was not receiving a warm welcome. Some neighbors wanted to turn the building into a residence, but its open interior layout is ideal for an office/studio space.

Representatives from boths sides of the argument spoke at the meeting. What should have been an open-and-shut case turned into a "Peyton Place" melodrama that lasted for over two hours. I half expected some of the angry neighbors to pull torches and pitchforks out of their designer purses. Since I didn't have to be there, I suppose I could have left. But it was like watching a train wreck, and I had to know the outcome.

Early on, the opposers were given a verbal slap on the wrist by one of the board members for rudely grumbling and harumphing too loudly. Keep in mind that 95% of these people are over 50 years old. The lack of maturity and respect displayed was astounding.

While there were many hysterical speeches made, perhaps my favorite involved a young-ish man who began crying because he wanted this building to be turned into a residence. Apparently his buddy can't afford living downtown, but might be able to if this building was put on the market. Then they'd be neighbors! Ooooh goody! Now, I consider myself to be a mature and professional adult, but I could not contain my giggles during this pathetic display. I wanted to explain to him that his friend should make more money if he wants to live in this area. Heck, I'd love to live there too, but guess what? I don't have the money so it ain't gonna happen. The city doesn't run a charity for people who can't afford to live in big houses.

Nobody seemed to care that the historic integrity of this building would be severely compromised if its open interior was chopped up into small rooms for a residential use. I suppose stubborn ignorance is an inevitable thing when working in the field of preservation. Understandably people will look out for themselves and what they want, but it would be nice if they would try to consider what is good for the community as well. Downtown neighborhoods can be enhanced by incorporating small amounts of commercial use. Those who want the honor of living in a historic district need to understand that these neighborhoods have always included commerical buildings, and that diversity is what makes them special. If you want to live in a strictly residential area, move to the suburbs.

Thankfully, the zoning board sided with the business and allowed for the change from residential to office use. I find it ironic that despite the overwhelming response from the neighborhood, their petulant display worked against rather than for their cause. Perhaps a lesson in brevity and eloquence would have been beneficial to this angry mob. Next time, leave your pitchforks at home.

Sostenere Le Arti!

For two weeks, my city has had a wonderful arts festival that has offered live music, theater, and dance as well as the visual arts. Its a great time for locals and tourists alike to come out and get a good dose of culture.

Today, I listened to live bluegrass music while I perused the stalls of vendors selling items such as art, jewelry, handwoven dog leashes, and frozen lemonade. As an artist myself, I was particularly drawn to the variety of local art on display. Some of the pieces were so gorgeous they took my breath away. And some of it made me think I should paint a bit more if people less talented than me are able to charge hundreds of dollars for crappy paintings. I don't say this to be conceited because I know we have all seen bad art being sold at ridiculous prices. For example, I saw animal art being sold at an aquarium last weekend for $45 a painting. They were horrendous, but if that's being taken seriously, one of these days I'm going to go out and buy a cat, dip its feet in paint, and let it run around on a canvas to see what unfolds.

We all see evidence of our nation's lagging economy in job lay-offs and decreased spending. While I was at the festival today, I overheard one of the vendors on their cellphone saying that there were a lot of tourists walking around, but no one is buying anything. It is a sad fact that the arts are among the first to suffer when money is scarce because they are viewed by many as a luxury rather than a necessity. Personally, I saw many pieces of art that I would be thrilled to put up in my apartment, but I just can't afford it. Graduate school has a way of leeching money away at a scary rate. Although, I have a feeling that I will never be able to afford the $1,000 painting I was lusting after. It is upsetting because I know this annual festival is something that local artists count on to promote their work and make money. I could tell that people were really enjoying themselves and the atmosphere in the park, and I hope that their presence brings a boost to the city's economy that is primarily driven by tourism.

I acknowledge that the arts are not necessary for physical survival, but I encourage you to patron them in any way possible. Even if you can't spend a lot of money, go out to your local festivals, craft shows, concerts, theater productions, and art shows whenever possible. You'll be suprised at how much they will enrich your life and get your own creative juices flowing. I have a painting I've been working on for a while now, and the summer has given me some free time to finish it up. I am a notoriously slow artist, but seeing all the beautiful artwork today inspired me to make a goal of finishing it this summer. It is for my sister, so I know she will be glad to hear that. Take advantage of your community's cultural scene and support the arts!