...I've been a busy girl.

Chautauqua Cinema

There's simply too much to do in Chautauqua and not enough time. So far I've seen the film "Adventureland" at the cutest one-theater cinema I've ever beheld; experienced a variety show/lecture by NPR's Garrison Keillor; met the characters of "Sesame Street Live!"; gone to the symphony; and attended a brilliant performance of the play, "Arcadia." The best part? It's basically all free. Taking that into consideration, I really can't complain about not having time to go do everything I want. Though I am working six days a week, the schedule is somewhat flexible, and my editor encourages all of us in the newsroom to run to a lecture or see a performance, as long as we are willing to stay late to get our everything done.

This week I'm going to see "Il Trovatore," an opera that, little did I know, I had heard of and even played parts of in my high school band. It's famous for it's "Anvil Chorus," which is what I played. I remember now that it was a big deal because one of the percussionists actually got to strike a real anvil. So cool. Trust me, when you hear it you'll recognize it. Here's a great performance of it on YouTube. I especially like the conductor's afro. :)

The Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in the Amphitheater as it fills up for the show. We sat in the choir loft, which was a fun perspective.

Fourth of July before the CSO Pops Concert. Michael and a few of my roommates/interns: Sara, Christina, Elise and James.

"Sesame Street Live!" came to Chautauqua. What can I say? I'm just a big kid.

Bestor Plaza the day "Sesame Street" took over. Notice the children everywhere.

My sweet ride. Okay, it's my dad's old bike, but it's mine for the summer!

...I actually did have a good weekend.

Despite being in the newsroom late into Friday evening, I had a really great time hanging out with Seal on Saturday. I showed her around the Institution grounds, and we brought Juno, her new pup. Juno, the lucky girl, was spayed last week and was wearing the "cone of shame" ("Up", anyone?). It was pretty entertaining watching her bump into street signs and the sidewalk. 

Seal and I made dinner later, hung out on the dock (above), and watched a movie. Not the most exciting evening, but I appreciated it all the more because of that. There's nothing like working 10-hour days to make you want a relaxing day off.

Juno, wearing the "cone of shame"

...I'm still in the newsroom, putting the paper together.

Well, I guess I really didn't know what I signed up for. I knew that working for a daily newspaper meant more work and at a faster pace, but I never really thought it through. I'll admit right now that I'm a bit overwhelmed. Having only worked on magazines (well, I did the newspaper thing in high school when I was assistant editor in chief), jumping right into a daily publication is intense to say the least. We stayed late last night (until after nine) to start the paper so that we'd be out at a decent hour tonight. Silly me. It's nearing 8 p.m., and it's just coming together. Finally. Home stretch. I've been told that the first few nights are like this but that as the summer wears on, the quicker it'll go. I certainly hope so. I was planning on visiting with relatives this evening (my aunt Anette and uncle John at their place at Peek'n Peak) but had to pass for obvious reasons.

Luckily I still get to have a fun weekend. Seal, my college roommate, is coming to visit tomorrow! And she's bringing Juno, her new puppy. I'm very excited about this.

Also, the summer season of the Chautauqua Institution officially starts tomorrow at noon. I can't wait to see this place packed with people and to be a part of the hustle and bustle. I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures of events soon. Until then, have a good weekend.

...I finished my book.

I almost forgot to mention that I finished Diary, by Chuck Palahniuk. I have some mixed feelings about how it wrapped up, but overall, it was an engaging and quick read. For the most part, it follows a similar pattern shown in his other books I've read: one's personal freedom, or lack thereof. An unexpected motif that emerged was artistic inspiration and expression. Here's a quote that I particularly liked: "Your handwriting. The way you walk. Which china pattern you choose. It's all giving you away. Everything you do shows your hand. Everything is a self-portrait. Everything is a diary."

I'm starting the cult classic Nineteen Eighty-Four, by George Orwell (below). It's one of those books that "everyone" seems to have read, and to be honest, I'm sick of people balking mid-conversation when I say that no, I've never read it. Time to jump on the bandwagon.

Photo courtesy of infowars.com.

...job hunting is downright depressing.

Enough said.

...I look really dumb wearing a mortarboard.

It's still weird to think that I graduated from college a week ago. Here's a graduation photo of Michael and I, courtesy of my family. 

And above is a photo of my roommates and best friends of the past four years. Courtesy of Sara Heal (far left), my random roommate from freshman year. It's safe to say that I got very lucky with that room assignment. :)

...here's what I mean by quaint.

I wasn't kidding. Here are a few places I saw on my walk around Chautauqua. So many reminded me of doll houses...

Many houses have custom-made canvas covers for their porches. This is to protect furniture, knickknacks, etc. from the wicked New York winter weather.

Me, walking along Chautauqua Lake. How quaint, I know.