Hayley’s Comment

Having a nice night in with the SO, as we both review Uncharted 3. We’re both a little attracted to Nathan Drake…not sure, exactly what that says about us.

He’s a much better player than I am, though. I tend to be optimistic about how far Drake can jump.

I’m publishing old drafts:

WASHINGTON, DC — This morning, my bus driver said, “Ladies and gentlemen, please utilize all available space and try to congregate toward the rear of the vehicle.”

A son looked up at his mother. “We have to move to the back of the bus,” she whispered.

Yep.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today was my second-to-last day temping (a.k.a. working two jobs) and I admit that I am extremely relieved to see that second job go.

Don’t get me wrong; I’ve had maybe the best temping experience one could have had. I thought I’d be in a different office every week, doing menial work, but instead I stuck with the same office for a long time and actually got to do some interesting stuff. In fact, for six months, I worked at a fantastic company with wonderful people with whom I developed real, likely lasting, friendships. If I had any passion for the work, I would have applied for a job there in a heartbeat. And really, how many temps can say that?

Still, it will be nice to defragment my brain a bit and let myself focus solely on being awesome at this amazing job I’ve lucked myself into. (Yes, ending sentences with prepositions on my off-hours woooo.) I do not fail to recognize how extremely lucky I am to have found a journalism job, writing, for The Washington Post, on a subject I love. That’s…a quad-fecta. Working longer hours will also (maybe?) free up some time to get back into serious reporting, which would make it a quint-fecta. In sum, life is pretty awesome right now, poised to get more awesome if I can hack it and I’m a very happy camper.

Plus, my SO just got Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and it’s maybe the most entertaining game to watch…um…ever.

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Sorry not to elaborate, but this may be the saddest thing I’ve ever read:

Dear Santa: Please Make My Mommy Happy : NPR.

YAZOO CITY, MISS. — Helloooo everyone!

Hope you all have a fantastic Turkey Day.  I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Great family, a wonderful (better) other half, a roof over my head and a mercifully understanding and supportive group of friends. And now, to add to the list.

I. Have. A. Job.

A job! I will be working for the Washington Post’s technology section starting Dec. 6. That’s right, folks, someone will be paying me to commit journalism. I will be paid to do what I love.

I am so grateful and humbled, but most of all…excited beyond belief.

Thanks.

–Hayley

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The University of Oregon has had an excellent men’s a capella group for quite a while, but now apparently they also have an excellent producer. Enjoy!

YouTube – On the Rocks – Lady Gaga – Bad Romance.

Bad way to start your day: burning the index finger of your dominant hand with coffee.

Silver lining: Found there’s a market for websites that don’t explain what injuries and illnesses are before telling you how to treat them. Look, I am a huge fan of context, but maybe when I Google “coffee burn on hand” I want the treatment to show up in the sum text. Now I have a new business model in case I ever need one.

Bonus bright spot: Finding out your co-workers like you, even if you are just a temp. And that they habitually have ice packs in their mini-fridges.

Take some time today to remember those who have served our country, those who have died in service and those continue to serve our country.

And, if you’re lucky enough to be like me, call your grandpa and thank him.

In Flanders Field: Lt. Col. John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — I have twenty minutes….go!

Those who know me know that singing is a HUGE part of my life. Since I was seven, I’ve been in a choir every year of my life, save one. So naturally, I joined a choir here as soon as I set down some semi-permanent roots.

My choir of choice was the Congressional Chorus, a 70-person co-ed ensemble dedicated to singing American choral music. And most importantly, to me, the chorus dues and fundraising also support the American Youth Chorus, an ensemble for DC children ages 8-14. Youth choirs are a big deal for me.

Are youth choirs a big deal to you? Is beautiful music? Because if you answered YES to either of those questions, come see the Congressional Chorus sing at the beautiful Church of the Epiphany on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. David Simmons, our music director, puts together a heckuva program.

So, to recap, that’s:

Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, 8 p.m.
 Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G Street NW
Washington, DC  20005

Tickets are $25, and you can get ‘em at http://chorusmarket.org/tickets/

Post done! With tons of time to spare.

Today I did something I’ve been meaning to do for ages. I culled my Google Reader feed.

Things were getting ridiculous with 343 subscriptions. Instead of staying  informed, I was piling on the guilt of choosing ignorance as I clicked “Mark All as Read” again and again. Streamlining Reader taught me three simple lessons, a lot about my media consumption habits and a thing or two about myself.

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