Recession magazine blues...

Wow! Fashion magazines really suffer when the economy is in the crapper. We had our mail on hold while we were out and about for the holidays (which were lovely, by the way) so we had a big stack of fresh magazines when we finally got the mail today.

I love fashion magazines. Not because I actually buy that stuff or because I am so fancy, but because I like any story that features people who are great at what they do. Paris Hilton may not be able to string a sentence together, but man she wears those labels with panache! Fashion magazines show the most chic people that have a real talent for dressing. I snatch those magazines up and devour them when they come each month.

Enter recession-era magazines.... This month's issue of Lucky (my second favorite behind InStyle) came today and I couldn't help but notice that it's about half the size of the usual issues. Upon further review, about 90% of the articles are about how to make an entire outfit for less than $20 or how to make fifteen different outfits out of the black skirt and red sweater you already own. This is certainly practical advice, but I don't subscribe for practical advice. I know how to wear my tired black skirt and pilled red sweater. I subscribe for the flashy photos of things I can't afford and would be embarrassed to buy even if I could afford them.

So note to fashion magazine editors, wherever you may be. We know that times are tight. We don't need to be reminded of that in our everyday light reading. Bring back the excess!

And a little shout-out to the cooking magazines, my true first love. I feel exactly the opposite about you guys. Keep those meals-for-under-a-buck articles coming! I actually use your magazines for something.

Googleganger update

Dave's Googleganger is a federally-prosecuted tax evader.

Googleganger

My friend Emily Brunner has a Googleganger (read: woman with the same name that competes with her for top billing when you Google the name Emily Brunner) that is out of control. My Emily is panicking about this because she's a PhD candidate and teacher at the University of Chicago and her students often Google her to find out what she's into. When they do, they get info on the Sisterhood of Avalon, a nutty lunar-based religious organization for women. The sort of women that paint celtic symbols in their menstrual blood. (Okay, I made that up, but it seems like the kind of group that would do that.) You can see why she doesn't want her students to mistake her for this other woman, but she looks super crazy if she mentions it in class!

This whole drama got me wondering if I have a Googleganger. I checked, and there is a woman named Laura Pflum from Montana that I actually knew about already because she found me on Facebook. I'm ok with her because she works for the Governor of Montana and seems pretty normal. She's actually a lot like me, but a few years behind. She's slightly younger, slightly cuter, and has a slightly better job. I take it back- I hate her!!! : )

Do YOU have a Googleganger?

Budgeting....

Oh, it is past time for Team Pflum to start some better budgeting practices. The good news is that we've found lots of places to cut costs, and after implementing them we'll be just fine till graduation day. If you're interested in a high tech way to figure out your budget, I highly recommend Mint, which links to all of your accounts and tracks spending.

Every time I look at anything vaguely financial I get a headache. But I always feel better once I'm better informed....

Lazy day....

We're enjoying a much needed weekend at home, and I'm blogging because I'm afraid that ND will lose to Navy if I look up from this computer screen. And because I haven't blogged in a while. Things here are good- the weather is rainy and cold, and we're bundled up quite nicely. Tonight we're going to a disco party and I can't decide what to wear. I think if I teased Dave's hair enough, it could be a pretty nice afro. I have platform boots and pink tights- seems 70's-ish to me....

This game is giving me a bit of a scare. The Navy fans are shouting "overrated" at Notre Dame as if ND was rated something other than crappy at any point in the season. Stupid college kids....

Okay, the game is over. It was closer than it should have been, but a win's a win. Apparently Charlie Weis doesn't care if I hyperventilate or not.

Boo Bash!

We are so excited to be heading to Cincinnati today for Boo Bash at Bart and Mollie's. This is the annual Halloween party that is not to be missed. Extra special treat- we get to see friends Brian and Julie for the first time since they moved to Milwaukee. I'll definitely post pics from the costume competition when we get back- no hints until then!

Okay, I'm back to normal!

Feeling decisive again today, thankyouverymuch! There's just no place for apathy in this world. Plus, I was scaring Dave. He doesn't want to be forced to make the decisions.

Friday we're heading to Nashville to see David Sedaris speak. He's an absolutely hilarious author and speaker. I've seen him before and can't wait to go again! We'll be staying with our friend Melissa Wibbens who will definitely show us a good time. She's the best!