Steaming Bowl of Crazy

Normally I like to think of myself as a pretty rational, level-headed person.

However every once in a while Volcano Caitlin erupts and spews molten dork everywhere; awkwarding up everything in its path.

Usually these incidents are directly proportional to my lack of sleep and amount of coffee used to supplement lost sleep. So then before I even know that I've opened my mouth, some innocent bystander is shouldering this hot mess. Staring blankly at me while I excitedly and wildly ramble on and on about something even I know is not interesting. These rants are never pretty and involve me making twisted, twitchy faces, giggling to myself, and saying things like: "I'm all like blargh!" "Grrr!", "Blast!", "Eee-gads!" and so forth.

Meanwhile, this person (usually a fellow student, terrified and trapped in their desk by the fact that class starts in two minutes) has come to the startling realization that it is not a mild-mannered library student seated next to them, but in actuality, the Mad Hatter.

"Ha HA! Tricked ya!" thinks I, with a slight, caffeinated eyelid twitch.

In moments like these, my self-confident, well-adjusted side (yes, I actually do have one of those) wants to believe that all that is happening here is just a matter of me being able to think really fast and I am just ten steps ahead of these goons and that they are simply stunned speechless by my wit, charm, and charisma. In actuality, I am sure they are calculating how fast they can get to the nearest exit. And I can't blame them because in my head I am fervently telling them "run! Run! I gots no off switch!"

But fear not, gentle citizens. My sweet boyfriend and very patient roommates sacrifice any sense of normalcy in their lives by letting me in and therefore seem to absorb most of my batty tendencies which placates my awkwardness making it not free to go all Godzilla on unsuspecting victims.

...most of the time.   

And yes I did consult my thesaurus for all the synonyms of crazy before writing this post. Wouldn't want you all getting bored. 

Until next time...watch out who you sit down next to. It might be me!

For My Next Trick...

...I try my hand at baking.

Yesterday brought a snap to the air and that special dappled, amber sunshine that is unique to autumn. The crispy, crunchy (stole that phrase from the coffee shop around the corner) day inspired me to bake chocolate chip pumpkin bread which I do every fall (ok only for like two years).

Now. It seems to be a growing trend amongst blogsters to photograph and document every step in a recipe. I am not that talented with photography (as exhibited below) nor do I have the patience when it comes to chocolate chip pumpkin bread. Also, I don't make my own recipes. However, I did take a picture of the finale as well as attempt a fall still life. I think I should stick to baking.

Anyway. If you want to make it. here is the recipe I use.

Caveats:

• I don't use the whole wheat flour (who wants to make things healthier anyway? Come on.). I just do three cups of regular flour.
• This recipe makes muffins, which are delicious. I did not have muffin tins in my apartment so I substituted and made two 9x5 bread loafs. If you choose to do this, just leave them in for longer. I would say...until they look done. Ha! 

et voila! Zi finished product!

My (lousy) attempt at a still life. I apologize for making your eyes burn. 

 Happy autumn! And happy eating! Love, Caitlin

P.S. the book leaning against the sunflowers is This Book is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson.

You know, in case you were curious.

I'm back!!

Hello darling readers!

I took a break over the summer (and then some) to spend time with family, be a social, urbanite with friends, and canoodle with le boyfriend! And let me tell you, it was so therapeutic!

Here is a quick update:
-I am living in a quaint little suburb of Boston in a very cozy apartment. It is super close to school and even closer to my work as well as the libraries in my life. The neighborhood is so great. Grocery store is a 7 minute walk, Trader Joe's is a 10 min walk, there's a new church I have been going to that is a 9 minute walk. Plus, there is an AMAZING diner down the street that serves breakfast all day long and has chocolate chip pancakes that I would sell a kidney for.
-I am living with two beautiful, patient, and very understanding roommates (you would have to be to live with me). They are a blast to live with! Good times.
-I began my second and final year in graduate school. EEEK! Simultaneously terrified for the real world and excited to be done with forum discussions and papers.

...and that about covers the big stuff, I suppose.

I am taking a Young Adult Literature class, which I will probably be talking about quite a bit. I am really enjoying it. The reading is outstanding. Outstanding meaning boat-load in this scenario.But I love it. I wish it was the only class I was taking so I could give more time to it. To give you a taste, here is my reading list for the next couple of weeks:

And in list form (starting from the top):

• Big Mouth, Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates
• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
• Feed by M.T. Anderson
• The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause
• City of Orphans by Avi
• The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
• The Arrival by Shaun Tan

And that's not even all of it. That is just for next coming 2 or 3 weeks. I am so conflicted by it. In some respects, I am stoked to read these new books, but I have no idea when I will fit it all in (and no, sometimes I don't. Shhh!).

Well instead of blathering about it, I guess I should maybe actually work on chipping away at this mountain.