1) I’ve got Nancy Drew magnets, a week-at-a-time planner, and a 365 day Star Wars calendar. The important things are now taken care of, so I don’t have to stress so much over the extra furniture and utensils I need for my apartment.

2) I’d like to highlight three poetry blogs I recently found that I’ve been enjoying:

  1. Warrior Poet Wisdom
  2. Granbee
  3. LScott Poetry

3) I love this article from Miss Manners’ column:

“Dear Miss Manners,
“I am a young, female, professional who is currently on the board of a national non-profit organization. The board consists of 10 members, and the composition changes on a yearly basis. This year, our board is composed of four women and six men all ranging from age 22 to mid-50s.

“I was recently having a conversation with two of the men my own age and one of the middle-aged men where the older fellow used a few expletives. After doing so, he proceeded to single me out and apologize to me as the female in the conversation. I gave a slight smile and ignored the situation. I have become very close to all of the men and women on this board, including the man in question. I feel like this apology was mildly discriminatory, but I also understand that it most likely was a result of upbringing. Our organization’s membership is primarily made up of college students where this kind of singling out genders is not common practice.

“Where is the line between chivalry and discrimination, and how do I let him know that his apology was not welcome and made me very uncomfortable?

“Gentle Reader,
“And yet you do not want to make him feel comfortable with using foul language at board meetings. At least Miss Manners hopes not.

“She agrees that the signal of ‘Oops, there are ladies present’ is detrimental to the professionalism that ought to prevail. But the usual reaction, of the targeted lady protesting that she doesn’t mind, and often illustrating this by using expletives herself, is also discriminatory. It signals ‘Oh, no, I understand that this is boys’ territory. Think of me as an honorary male.’

“Therefore, Miss Manners would prefer you to say good-naturedly, ‘On behalf of all the ladies AND gentlemen present, I accept your apology.’ There will be a slight titter throughout the room, after which you can milk it by saying, ‘I’m so glad to be raising the tone here.'”

4) If you have a bit of time, listen to the first poem on this video by Sarah Kay from TED:

5) I am nearly done reading The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, and I’m about to start The Hunger Games. Here’s to as much light fiction as I can get in before school starts!

6) Sometime next week, I’ll feature a guest post by a friend of mine, Layne Ashton, on a particularly controversial subject. You all now have that to look forward to!