RedRobinLand

My Christmas

2012-01-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

was very nice. Hope yours was too!
Also, happy 2012.

Precious

2011-11-08T20:34:00.000-08:00

My sister Megan had a baby! I love my little nephew Grey. He is a perfect little person.

Walking

2011-10-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

I really love walking. I have been lucky enough to be able to commute on foot to work and/or school for the past 11 years. It's one of my favorite things about my life.

I created this very amateur sped-up video of (most of) my current walk to work. Yes, I walked to work with a GoPro camera strapped to my head, but I took it off before I got to State St. I want to get better at doing videos with this thing, so here's my first try.

Music by Ramona Falls

September

2011-10-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

Since it's October now, I thought I'd better post a few photos of my September adventures.

Go Pro

2011-08-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

Untitled from Robin Openshaw on Vimeo.

A few photos of Saturday's adventures with my new toy.

New Orleans

2011-08-12T13:54:00.000-07:00

At the end of June I got to spend a week in New Orleans for the ALA Annual Conference. I went to lots of classes, did LOTS of walking, and ate lots of gelato. I also tried all of the classic New Orleans foods that were listed in my travel guide book: po'boys, jambalaya, gumbo, catfish, beignets, and muffalettas.
I unknowingly booked a haunted hotel, and staying there for 6 nights was one of the scariest experiences of my life. We went on a ghost tour of the French Quarter, and our hotel was the 2nd stop on the tour. Yay! No sleeping for the rest of the trip.
We saw some live jazz at Preservation Hall, which was excellent. I loved exploring the French Quarter and especially liked all the bright colors, wrought iron, shutters, and gas lamps.
Overall, I had a fun time in New Orleans, but was very ready to go home. I'm glad I got to visit, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to live there!
See more photos here.

A few days in New York

2011-06-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

Last month I went to NYC for a few days. It was so fun to have Robby and Andrew with me this time and show them some of my favorite places in the city. It was pretty rainy, but we didn't let that stop us from cramming as much as possible into our trip. I was amazed at how much we saw and did. It was a great trip. Some highlights:

- views from the Empire State Building
- foggy ferry rides
- relaxing in Bryant Park
- the New York Public Library special centennial exhibit
- Brooklyn Bridge, Grimaldi's pizza and the beautiful view of Manhattan from the Dumbo pier
- walking around Soho and Chelsea
- Times Square, delicious burgers at Schnipper's
- visiting with Cat and the kids
NYC never disappoints. Till next time!

(see more photos here)

Sandwich adventures

2011-05-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about the very awesome sandwiches I've eaten recently. These are they:

1. The Machine Gun at Bruges. This is a unique sandwich consisting of spicy curry lamb sausage, crispy Belgian frites, and Andalouse sauce on a baguette. It is giant and difficult to eat, but so delicious. Fries on a sandwich! No joke.

2. The TBR at Cafe on 1st. Turkey bacon ranch with lots of veggies. This is another giant sandwich that is super messy to eat, but pretty dang tasty. I like that the bacon is really crispy. The Cafe on 1st is a cool hangout too.

3. Philly cheesesteak at Moochie's. I tried this sandwich yesterday after seeing it featured on the show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" (rerun on my flight home from NYC) and was super impressed. I'm not usually a huge meat eater but this was delicious. We got it with grilled bell peppers and put on their creamy jalapeño sauce which I recommend.

4. Sesame pancake vegetable sandwich at Vanessa's Dumping House. One of the most tragic things in my life is that this restaurant is located in NYC. Ever since I first ate this sandwich last October, I've been dreaming about the day I would eat it again. Luckily that day came last week, and I ate two. This is a sandwich made out of a puffy Chinese sesame pancake, split and filled with cilantro and shredded cucumbers and carrots marinated in some kind of magical mixture of ginger and vinegar. Aaaaand it only costs $1.50. Seriously one of my favorite things to eat, ever.

Try these sandwiches if you get a chance! And probably bring a friend to help eat them... (thanks Robby :)

You're welcome.

Quarterly report

2011-04-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

I blog so infrequently that it's more appropriate to call one post a "quarterly report." Even as I'm trying to write this I am at a loss as to what to report, but I will try.

- Work is challenging, but I am learning a lot.

- I am getting really burned out from still being in school, and am terrified to take Research Methods this summer.

- I am getting really burned out from cataloging so many Osmond live concert DVDs.

- My niece and nephew are cute and funny.

- I am getting another niece or nephew this year!

- I'm going to NYC with Robby and his brother next month. I can't wait!

- I get to go to ALA annual again this June. It's in New Orleans this year. I can't wait!

- Today I sat outside while eating homemade sorbet that was actually melting in the sun on my balcony. What a good feeling.

- I planted some flower seeds in a couple of pots. Hopefully they live to replace the ones I let die last fall.

- I like pink and blue together.

- I've gone running twice this week and actually liked it.

- Books I've enjoyed in the last few months: Moby Dick, Evelina, A Separate Peace.

- I got a lemon verbena candle from Target. I like it, but it keeps reminding me of this expensive lemon verbena ice cream I got once from Momofuku Milk Bar in NYC that honestly tasted like dish soap.

- Here is my favorite quote about spring. I think of it every time it snows/freezes too late in the year.

"With so many trees in the city, you could see the spring coming each day until a night of warm wind would bring it suddenly in one morning. Sometimes the heavy cold rains would beat it back so that it would seem that it would never come and that you were losing a season out of your life. This was the only truly sad time in Paris because it was unnatural. You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintry light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen. When the cold rain kept on and killed the spring, it was as though a young person had died for no reason. In those days, though, the spring always came finally but it was frightening that it had nearly failed. "

-- Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

A walk to the library

2011-01-30T17:21:00.000-08:00

Words

2011-01-18T19:45:00.001-08:00

NIGHT

YELLOW

NEW

SELF

ADMIRE

Here are a few of my shots for the Words To Shoot By collaboration in recent months. Right now we are having a "call for entries" and letting anyone submit photos for possible inclusion in the next posting. Give it a shot! (ha ha)

The deadline is January 29 and the word is PLACE.

Instructions here

2010

2010-12-31T10:30:00.000-08:00

Some of my favorite moments/memories of 2010:

-getting my own apartment again
-meeting Robby
-seeing some really great concerts
-climbing Mt. Timpanogos
-time spent with sisters
-three trips across the country (Washington DC, Macon GA, and NYC)
-getting a much-needed promotion at work
-my Christmas car surprise!

When I think of all the wonderful things I have, my heart almost bursts with gratitude. I don't really know how things could get much better. I am a lucky girl.

Happy New Year!!

Stars

2010-12-07T21:12:00.000-08:00

I need a break from writing a paper about archives and technology, so here are a few photos from last night at Temple Square.

Also a new Christmas song I like.

I love Christmas lights.

NYC on film

2010-11-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

Photos from a roll of film I shot in New York. I'm rarely happy with this many photos on a roll, so I think the city must be magic.

I've been listening to Christmas music and getting excited...I love this song but it always makes me sad.

NYC pt. 2

2010-10-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

More walking, wafels of massive deliciousness, beautiful weather, Chinatown again for more Vanessa's, the beach on Staten Island, and perfect autumn colors at Silver Lakes Park.
It was hard to leave.

NYC pt. 1

2010-10-22T18:02:00.001-07:00

Extreme walking
Extreme eating

Macon

2010-10-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

Some photos from last weekend's trip to Macon, Georgia for the OLAC biannual conference.
I love these southern houses with their big porches and columns.

Timp

2010-09-14T19:35:00.000-07:00

Hiked Mt. Timpanogos on Saturday with my bf and his friends. We started at 1:30 am and made it to the top just after sunrise. It was spectacular. I have never been so exhausted. But three days later and with just a couple of remaining bruises, my body is as good as new. Amazing.

Lavender

2010-09-01T19:28:00.001-07:00

There's a house on the corner of B and 5th that I always pass on my way to work. It has pretty lavender bushes I've been wanting to photograph, but I kept forgetting. Finally, last weekend's assignment for Words to Shoot By was "scent", and I knew it was the perfect opportunity. It was a rainy morning too, so the lighting and colors were perfect.

One more thing: I dare you to show me something cuter than this.

He is precious.

Summer things

2010-08-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

My summer has been pretty great so far, the first part more intense with traveling and school, and the later part more relaxing, with settling into a new apartment, seeing my favorite band perform, walks, almond sodas, a visiting sister, stargazing, and some redheads.

Fall semester will be starting in a mere 10 days . . . and as much as I love fall, I wish I could multiply this next week by 5.

Scenes from the balcony

2010-08-01T21:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight.

New favorite place

2010-07-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

My new apartment has a huge balcony with a nice view.
I will probably be spending a lot of time out there.
There's also a kitty across the way that keeps a close eye on me. I like it. :)

Karaoke fantasy

2010-07-15T06:14:00.000-07:00

Do you have a karaoke fantasy? The song you would sing if you had the guts to do karaoke, and oh, if they ever actually had that song on karaoke machines? Strange as it might seem, this is mine:

Watch out, someday I'll be singing this rad duet at someone's (my?) wedding reception.

DC

2010-07-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

Highlights from Washington DC:
- ALA member open house at the Library of Congress
- my class on science fiction
- amazing guacamole at Rosa Mexicano
- Lincoln's Waffle Shop
- gems and minerals hall at the MNH
- Chinatown Express, with the best dumplings and noodles I've had outside of China
- the bibliography and video presentation I prepared used in two cataloging meetings
- fro.zen.yo (3 times)
- lots of history
- lots of walking

6.14

2010-06-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

A year ago today I was starting my fancy internship at the Whitney. Today I'm studying RDA and preparing for the ALA conference in Washington DC. Acceptable.

Do you like these new photos? I shot them on the antique Kodak Brownie camera I got at the Portobello Road market in London. I was pleasantly surprised that they turned out. I could hardly see through the viewfinder, and I had to modify the film spool to fit since they don't make film for that camera anymore.

lately

2010-05-23T16:20:00.001-07:00

Good things.

wet spring morning

2010-04-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

Today

2010-03-10T19:59:00.000-08:00

I've been experiencing an enormous amount of job satisfaction lately.

I'm a nerd, but cataloging makes me happy.

I have a new laptop (2nd in a week).

Something that was a problem yesterday is no longer a problem today.

I'm reading a funny book.

Tomorrow is payday.

This song has been in my head for 2 days.

I had a yam and broccoli for dinner.

I feel like a lucky girl.

.

2010-02-22T07:20:00.000-08:00

This weekend we ate lots of biscotti and mint tea.

Also, two hundred potstickers.

It was nice.

Mumford & Sons

2010-02-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

I almost like Mumford & Sons' new video as much as their last one...

Have you heard these guys yet? You might like them. I do. So much, in fact, that for the time being they have replaced all my standby favorites to listen to at work. Their album is released in the US next week. London guys, smart lyrics, banjos, accordions, tambourines, and all that good stuff.

colors

2010-01-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

I'm making a rainbow diamond quilt out of these fabrics. I love them. I'm excited about it.

Good things '09

2010-01-06T19:40:00.000-08:00

-my sister's wedding and getting to be in the temple with my whole family

-becoming a pro at making ice cream

-two successful engagement photo shoots

-interviewing for and landing an internship in NYC which secured me with pretty much the coolest summer ever
-getting to explore new cities- Boston, Cambridge, Concord & Philadelphia

-bonding with this boy and being there to witness his new sentences, such as "I make a food."

-my niece Anna

at this time last year

2009-12-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

I was in London and various other places in England

This is how I remember it

Wish I could go every year.

instax

2009-11-30T20:19:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I got the Fujifilm Instax mini.

My first time using any instant film.

Here are some things I've done. I like it.

2009-10-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

in my head
natw

lately

2009-10-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

colors, studies, foster kitten, walks.

"I know that whatever tomorrow brings will only add to the quality of my life, it always does..."

(via jerkunz)

Last weekend

2009-08-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

Cambridge, Concord, Boston.

Brave as traffic

2009-06-15T20:36:00.000-07:00

Well, all of a sudden I'm living in Brooklyn for the summer and doing a schmancy internship at a museum library.

What I did was make a new thing to use as a daily journal.

It is called "brave as traffic" and you can go there if you want.

It's true

2009-05-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

I love making ice cream.
And I think I'm pretty good at it.

mayan chocolate

coconut almond

mint chocolate chip

(I generally use this recipe as the basis and then change/add flavors or ingredients)

Words to shoot by

2009-04-07T06:08:00.000-07:00

I've joined in on a photography collaboration with a few flickr/blog friends. It's called Words To Shoot By, and every two weeks we'll post shots of our interpretations of one assigned word. Our first word was green. I snapped these shots while on a quick trip to NYC last week. Go check out our blog and see the other contributions! I'm excited to have a little photography project to work on.

Megan and Kyle engagements

2009-03-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I shot engagement photos for my little sister Megan and her fiancee Kyle.

See more here.

Fresh start

2009-01-31T20:23:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you need a fresh start.