Month: June 2013

Links for a Lazy Sunday

Posted on by Alison Doherty in Links for a Lazy Sunday

bonvoyageHappy Sunday! It’s my last lazy Sunday for awhile. Not that I’m complaining, because the lack of lazy time is due to a really awesome trip I’m going on. In fact, I shouldn’t be lazing around on the internet right now, I have guidebooks to read, suitcases to pack, and blog posts to schedule. But oh well, I suppose a bit of procrastination won’t hurt me … much.

If you are in a similar mood and want to lounge about on the internet here are a few links I’ve found interesting over the last few weeks.

In Defense of English Majors

Posted on by Alison Doherty in Uncategorized

English majorTo major in English or not to major in English … that is the question. While it was never much of a question for me, it does seem to be something that’s risen in public consciousness in the last two weeks. Just four days after my slightly awkward Father’s Day conversation about if an English major actually translated into any kind of job, David Brooks came to my aid and wrote an op-ed titled The Humanist Vocation in the New York Times. The article discussed how humanities degrees have been cut in half in the last 50 years and exploring the reasoning. Continue reading “In Defense of English Majors” →

Marry, Date or Dump: Mad Men

Posted on by Alison Doherty in Marry Date or Dump

Mad-Men-1

Is anyone else already missing Mad Men? If you haven’t seen last night’s season 6 finale let me tell you, you’re in for some serious twists and turns. This week I’ve decided to give you double the choices for who you can marry, who you can date, and who you can dump. The men: Don Draper, Roger Sterling and Pete Campbell. The women: Joan, Peggy, and Betty. Feel free to make substitutes. I really wanted to add Ted and Megan but thought I’d keep my choices to people who’d been on the show since the beginning. Let me know who you would choose in the comments!  Continue reading “Marry, Date or Dump: Mad Men” →

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith: Changing the Way I Think Of Airports Forever

Posted on by Alison Doherty in Book Reviews

9780316122399_p0_v1_s260x420I am not the kind of person who gets dressed up to go on a plane. I flew enough as a bicoastal kid to know the key to a happy plane ride is a comfy plane ride. When I was at Smith College (an all women’s school) the airport became the place to meet guys. Suddenly, instead of wearing leggings and avoiding eye contact I was supposed to wear eyeliner and be flirtatious. The goal was no longer an empty middle seat on the plane: it was a boyfriend. I resisted this trend and continued to wear my Ugg boots and unapproachable expression, but reading The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith, kind of made me regret that decision.  Continue reading “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith: Changing the Way I Think Of Airports Forever” →

Adulthood Take 2: Life Update

Posted on by Alison Doherty in Uncategorized

IMG_3641It’s been three months since I basically decided to quit my life and runaway to try and finish my novel. And it’s been going really well … which is I think a shock to no one in my life except myself. Logically, it makes sense that the ability to spend all your time doing your favorite thing (writing) in the most beautiful place in the world (Big Sur) seems like a recipe for success. And it is. Still, my inner pragmatist is being like, “Wait why are you enjoying yourself. I thought I gave you enough rope you would hang yourself and then you could get a normal job and spend your free time watching YouTube videos and going on Okcupid dates instead of writing.” Well the joke is on you inner pragmatist, because not only am I sincerely happy in a way I haven’t been in a long time, I also feel really motivated and engaged in “my work” of writing this novel and trying to bring interesting content to this blog.

I never know how much to write about my personal experiences, because in a strange twist of fate more than just my mom reads this blog. But for my mom (whose birthday is tomorrow!), and other friends/family/internet friends that might be interested I thought it was time to give a little life update. So if you want to know more: Continue reading “Adulthood Take 2: Life Update” →

Marry, Date or Dump: Women from Game of Thrones

Posted on by Alison Doherty in Marry Date or Dump

Last week, I gave you the option to marry, date or dump the men from Game of Thrones and your response was overwhelming. The comments I got were so thoughtful, witty and completely incomprehensible (since I haven’t really read the books and only watched one episode) that I knew that I needed to jump on this bandwagon. Since I learned your opinions on men last week I wanted to see what people thought when it came from the series’ ladies. You can choose from any of the women below or let me know who you would pick from my choices in the comments.

women game of thrones

Continue reading “Marry, Date or Dump: Women from Game of Thrones” →

Links for a Lazy Father’s Day

Posted on by Alison Doherty in Uncategorized

Happy Fathers Day! I’m excited that this Sunday I will actually be able to see my dad for the first Father’s Day in a long time. I’ve seen a lot of best of fictional father’s lists around the web in celebration of the day. tumblr_m1gt0wfVHj1qfklrho1_250The two characters on most lists are Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird and Arthur Weasley from the Harry Potter series. I always liked Mr. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. Even though he might not be the best dad, but Austen certainly gave him some great one liners. I would love to hear who your favorite fictional dad in the comments. But I digress. If you have a little time away from your father and find yourself with some free internet time, may I suggest these links:

Books While Travelling

Posted on by Alison Doherty in Uncategorized

reading-on-a-planeWhen you go on a trip do you like to read books set in the location you are visiting? I know I do. I’ve been lucky enough to go to some great places around the world and as a consequence discover some of my favorite books. I read Nicholas and Alexandra in  Russia. I read Romola in Florence. I read Ladder of Years, by Anne Tyler, while sitting on Bethany Beach and proceeded to become convinced my mother was going to abandon me there. Don’t worry. She didn’t. So now that I’m preparing for a new trip, I’m looking for new books to bring along and enhance the experience.  Continue reading “Books While Travelling” →