Saturday, October 26, 2013

Random Saturday Musings

Well I am getting into the NaNoWriMo mode this weekend - getting my office all set up, trying to get a few blog posts in the can for early November in case I get overwhelmed, starting to think about Christmas shopping...I am so excited, especially as my new book takes root in my head as I go for long walks every day!

Some things I am thinking about this week (besides writing!)

1) That weird J Crew popback morning...

It was accidental that I found it.  I now only check in with the crew on the new releases days and maybe once on the weekend to see if anything on my wishlist has gone on sale.  But as I said yesterday, I woke up really early yesterday morning and to kill time while I waited to wake up my son and his girlfriend, I looked around a number of sites.

The thing that struck me the most was that there were old things that I still really liked.  Lots more than a lot of the new stuff.  Now, I am not sure why that is - is the quality and styling  so changed in the intervening years?  Is JCrew like any new relationship - you spend a lot of time together in the beginning, then slowly drift apart when you find you have little in common after the initial thrill is gone? 

I don't think so.  Actually, I still like a lot of J Crew and find if I stick to the basics, I do very well.  But we are getting almost no skirts anymore (I wonder if that's cause Jenna doesn't like them?), bad construction and cheaper materials.  Anyway, I saw tons of old stuff and a lot of it I thought "gee, wish they still had that kind of stuff..."

I could have spent a lot of money, but no, this new Wendy is trying harder.  I decided I would only buy something if I really loved it and had missed it the first time around.

Then I saw just such a thing - the silk organza pencil skirt from at least a couple of years ago, in sea shell.  I always loved this skirt - at the time it was $156 (wow - that positively seems cheap now, doesn't it) and it sold out early in my size. 


I paid $36 for it yesterday morning.  I am hoping that it doesn't arrive in some terrible condition - but I just adore it, always did and even better: it is 21" long.  Oh those heady days of long-enough skirts...

2) There's something in the (political air)

Sure you've heard all of the shenanigans coming out of the US during the last month, but we are lucky(!) enough to have our own "Scandale" here in Canada - with our current government and Prime Minister in hot water for the crazy shenanigans of Senators they appointed themselves.  This week we had dramatic testimony, name-calling, byzantine backroom deal allegations, it was great...Except it was horrible, what with us paying all of these people's salaries and all. 

Source

I am wondering what the next iteration of politician is going to be like.  We have become a system of such crazy trough-style politics that one wonders that the public doesn't rise up with "Do You Hear The People Sing?"  - where is Jean Valjean when you need him?

We have a broken political system in that the only way to get elected is to have a lot of powerful people and backroom organizers behind you, the same people who will expect and get favours when you come to power and who will stand in the way of real reform, which often threatens their way of life.  I saw this over and over again as a civil servant and it certainly appears to be getting worse.  I don't know where the system is that works better, but I want to see someone run for office who promises to do nothing for the politicos who got she or he there!

3) Just in time for Halloween

Thought you might find the following article interesting, so I am sharing the link: 4 Possible Scientific Explanations for Ghosts.

Oh you can believe those scientific explanations all you want....I ain't 'fraid of no ghosts..




 Oh My God - I loved the 80s - so excessive!  All those fun celebrity cameos!

What are you up to today?  I am finishing edits on my second book, doing some housework and enjoying the day!

Have a great day and stay safe out there!

33 comments:

  1. Hi Wendy, Would you ever consider self publishing? Now that you're on your second book already, I want to read your first book now!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anon! I haven't gone there yet - still dream of an agent and being part of a well-oiled publishing house, but you never know! Thanks for asking!

      Delete
    2. I was wondering the same thing, WMM. It's good that you have both options. :)

      Delete
  2. What a week in the Senate! The mind spins! And you're right it would almost be funny if it wasn't so awful, these being our tax dollars and all.
    That skirt is very pretty, what a perfect shade of pale pink. It reminds me of the pink used in the Tory Burch holiday collection.
    Oh yes Halloween is this week isn't it. DId you know that the 31st is Berna's birthday?
    Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My best friend from high school, Dawn,also has her birthday on Halloween! Very fun!

      I love Tory's holiday collection and I am so going to steal the ideas with my bargain skirt!

      Delete
  3. Oy, politics is giving me a headache these days, and that comes from someone who studied political science in college! During the US shutdown, while the thousands of government workers were home unable to feed their families, the senators and the like we're still collecting fat pay checks that came out of our tax dollars! I think we should all get a refund, especially those of us who are not Republicans. And then, people like Ann Coulter go on TV to talk about how the shutdown was beautifully executed. That, I cannot fathom, but then again, lots of shenanigans are going on in my native country, were corruption is really who governs. An embarrassment all around. I figured I'd just move to Canada, but apparently, that's out!
    In happy news, that is a gorgeous skirt. I didn't pick up anything during the popbackgate, but that's why one has friends! When I come over, we can bake great cookies in your new oven, and I can borrow your skirt and "my" navy polka dot top while we sip Miller time cocktails. It doesn't have to be a Friday, does it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you certainly can, but I am fairly certain we are going to have to clothespin the back for you to fit into!!!!

      there are cocktails here everynight!

      Delete
  4. Do keep us posted if that lovely skirt ships. Like you, I now only check my JC wishlist and see if these go on sale. Most of the time though I realize I don't really like the stuff even on sale. My wishlist is short and getting shorter. I don't know who they are designing for nowadays and find myself buying more classic shirts and sweaters from their supposedly "younger/trendier" sibling Madewell.

    Oh politics, I don't know how it has turned into one big circus. In a way, getting the scandals out is good to galvanize people to act and vote wisely in the future. We have to keep those buffoons out of government. P.S. do your Senators get appointed not elected?

    Self-publishing is another option to think about. I remember reading an author success story in the Amazon website. The husband who has an Ivy League degree had to quit his high-paying job to look after the house, the kids, manage his wife's career so the wife can write full-time. She is earning $500K+ per book and could do millions if she can write more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Marie - I find the wishlist imminently helpful, because I "save" things and then delete them later too!

      Our senators are appointed! Sigh....

      I may well look into self-publishing, though not sure how many middle grade kids read their books on kindles on ipads (probably more than I know!)

      Delete
  5. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10405256/10-great-meals-in-literature.html

    I read this today and thought of you Wendy - I think you will love it!

    PS I love the 80's - was so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I love this!!!! I would take Heidi's meal for sure - I always romanticized living in the Alps, eating homemade bread and fresh milk!

      Delete
  6. Well, you summed up a good deal of what is wrong with our American political system very succinctly. I think it's the favors, the egos, and the selfishness of our politicians that get us into a lot of our messes. :)

    On an odd note, I saw Ray Parker Jr perform this summer! He was part of a cover band, hired by the company for which my husband works, and performed at our corporate rewards meeting. Of course he got to sing his big hit one night--he still sounds great!

    Love your skirt; hope it arrives in perfect condition!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wendy - don't you love his cool little moves in the video? So fun!!!! Well your American system is just as bad as ours! We need to Republic of ___ - we'll have to figure out what later!

      Delete
  7. The skirt you managed to grab is lovely, and a great price! I remember when it originally came out too.Please share with us when you get it.

    Enjoyed your thoughtful post, as always. I'm off to finish today's post and plan to do some baking this afternoon (banana bread time). Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I love banana bread! Do you recall the year ABC - was it 2010 or 2011?

      Delete
    2. According to Polyvore it was 4 years ago! It's hard to believe, isn't it? Where on earth did they find one I wonder?

      Maybe there's a private vault at JC...

      Delete
  8. Congrats on the great find!
    I saw the popbacks too,they had some stuff that i sold a long time ago and also a cardigan i own from 2009:) It makes you wonder where they gwet all the stuff from,haha.
    I am having a yardsale today,hopefully i will sell some unused furniture.
    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. how is the table looking?????

      2009 - oh my!!!

      Good luck with the yard sale!

      Delete
  9. Your skirt will hopefully arrive as lovely as can be. Fingers crossed. Politics. Has always been you scratch my back I scratch yours. Common sense is just so underutilized here in the U.S. Government. Unfortunately our choices are always pig A or pig B. No one with any sense or humility would ever run and put up with all the BS. Oh well, wee'll discuss this again in 90 days when the debt ceiling needs to be raised, AGAIN, and nobody has made any compromises. Lastly, it is amazing how some movies just don't translate we'll 30 years later...I watched a lot of my favorite movies as a kid with my own children. Goodies and Ferris Bueller are still great, Ghostbusters and Back to the Future are just too cheezy now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. damn - I was off to look for Goodies!!! I hear you on the dated aspect. The Alien movies - they still kick butt!

      Delete
  10. BACK ROOM BARGAINS Wenders, do you remember that movie Dave with Kevin Kline where an ordinary bloke stands in for the comatose president and fixes gov. with common sense and his brother-in law accountant? I keep wishing politicians will wise up and realize that we have to balance our budgets, take care of our environment, be reasonably decent citizens, why shouldn't they on a bigger scale. All of the pork barreling and the out-of-control expenses and salaries make me sick. (I know corporate and sports star salaries can also be to excess, but at least not tax payers picking up the bill.)

    Looking forward to your TB inspired looks from both the new lookbook and Ema's blog. Maybe new black cashmere will work with skirt...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZARAldXlSyA

      Delete
    2. Oh, and in case didn't mention before so cool that your are committed to NaNoWriMo...let the countdown begin (you can use leftover Halloween treats to fuel week 1. And how long is DS in Beantown, wonder if he will come back saying "Wicked" ;-)

      Delete
    3. GF and AB-- so with you on the politics. At least our moderate Republican senator, Susan Collins and our indy Angus King have been trying to work the other sides of the senate body. Why can't we lay them off for non-performance of job?

      Pretty pink skirt you snagged. Soon time to think about holiday outfits, isn't it? Think I'm recycling last years.

      Delete
    4. Lane, I know right! If you committed the kind of fraud that has gone on in our Senate or gummed up the works the way things have been past weeks in US gov. you would be either out of a job or at least facing a dismal performance review. Although my DH says a lot of corporate top tier are exempted from the standards of the "middle world" too, ex. past banking and automotive meltdowns.

      Delete
    5. HI Ladies! Was a flying trip for DS - he is back at supper time tonight! I am thinking that black cashmere would look wonderful and if Everlane one is too long, I will just wear my short sleeve black cachmere T from the Crew - I just get a little chilly in the winter without sleeves (cue shawl!). I like maine's reps - Lane - they do seem sensible! I miss Olympia - did you read her book?

      I was planning to completely recycle holiday styles, but this pink skirt has spanned a few outfit ideas!

      Delete
    6. p.s. DS has been talking Boston for a LONG time - ever since seeing The Departed and The Town!

      Delete
  11. Great you got that skirt! I really hope it works out. I was browsing around during the popbacks, very early even, but most of what I clicked on was ghost pages. I bought a cardigan but I suspect I'll end up returning it. And great progress you are making with your writing! There are not enough good books for middle grade kids, yours need to be added to the mix!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Cate!

      my skirt actually shipped, so I am really curious.....

      Delete
  12. I am glad I missed on all those pop-backs!

    Housework ALL DAY LONG for me!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love this skirt - such a pretty colour! I missed the crazy popbacks - well, caught the tail end.
    HOpe you've had a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete

Kindness is a virtue...