First things first: Above you will notice a password-protected post. If you want the password, e-mail me and I will give it to you, (almost) no questions asked. It’s just a precaution against Googling. 
Next things next: This weekend, despite my not being in the best mood ever (understatement, ahem), was fun. Tom and I spent Saturday exploring Buffalo a little. First we went to Allentown to buy me a new septum-ring (14g seamless ring, very pretty) and we ended up spending some time in Rust Belt Books, an adorable and fairly big used bookstore:
They had like two whole shelves of vampire fiction ( 
) and I bought a book about witches and warlocks with a cover illustrated by Edward Gorey. ( 
) We also bought a whole bunch of other books, including a bunch of classics and some newer stuff that was just cheaper. I read a pamphlet about astral projection.
And I also found this book, which is the love version of the Oracle Book that Noelle (my bff) and I used in high school to answer our burning questions about life. It was quite the nostalgia trip, finding it randomly in this store:
Then we moved on to Talking Leaves Books, an independent bookstore nearby. It reminded me a lot of Olsson’s (RIP), the now-closed chain of indie bookstores in Washington, D.C. where I worked last year:
The problem, though, as always, is that full-priced books are just too expensive. Hard to support independent booksellers when they have fewer sales than the big places and Amazon. It’s quite the quandary, especially considering how much I love indie places. 
Later that night, the suite had a party. Let me just tell you, it has been a looong time since I participated in a legit college-y party. It was fun. Below, Tom & me looking ridiculous, about to lose beer pong.
(DISCLAIMER: This is the first time I’ve played beer pong in 2 years. Don’t judge me either for playing or not playing.)
Also, discovered a new AND HILARIOUS web comic. Buttersafe is awesome. The one I linked to is one of my faves.
Anyway, if you’re looking for the more emotional stuff, of which there happens to be lots this week, check the pass-protected post.
It broke my heart when our local book store went under – it was stacked with walls of books and was so much fun to just meander around
passwaado o watashi ni dashite kudasai.
buttersafe was a great find by you. though honestly http://catandgirl.com/?p=2076 this is still my favorite (from the many that you send me today)
also. tom tom did you get a haircut?
They weren’t too bad. I’ve heard worse, you could put it that way!
It’s not weird. At all. It’s probably just a scottish or british thing. Basically I cried. I was totally fine and then it just hit me that I wouldn’t see him for pretty much three weeks and I’ve never had to do that before, so it was kind of a little shock. Haha.
I love love love book stores.
My mum just got home from work with my copy of William Faulkner’s collected stories. I could cry I’m so happy. Perfect for my holidayyyyyy! Ahahaaha. (: