m

2010-02-07T19:43:00.001-07:00

four days and counting until
this

2010-01-26T18:40:00.002-07:00

At least, if anything, Karl has a sense of humor...
here

2010-01-24T23:19:00.002-07:00

2009-06-25T10:56:00.003-06:00

Growing up I hated NPR. Maybe it was the association I made between the opening chimes of All Things Considered and driving to piano lessons after school or maybe the fact that a women named Michelle Norris could get away with pronouncing her name Mee-shell instead of the regular way. I dreaded Saturday morning errands with my mom because I knew Click and Clack would be yacking away about gaskets and brake pads during Car Talk. And yet, I never attempted to change the station because I was scared of the wrath of the master radio controller, aka my mother. My only solace came when Garrison Keeler’s voice rang from the speakers with Live from Lake Wobegon and I knew it was time for A Prairie Home Companion. I never really understood the stories but at least I could relax and listen to music ( don’t worry I’m not talking Lindesy Lohan’s Frankie and Johnny from the movie).

Well my friends, I have something to admit. No, no, Mee Shell and I have not made amends, but in the past few years I have frequently found myself willingly changing the dial to the dreaded 90.1. It took me a while to come to terms with this, but I cannot deny my love for Ira Glass’s somewhat womanly voice welcoming me to This American Life or Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me’s weekly limerick competition. In fact, I often find myself falling asleep to reruns of these podcasts playing sweetly in my ear. All I can ask is what has this world come to? Can this mean I am entering adulthood?

My name is Molly Turner and I really want Carl Castle’s voice on my answering machine…

2009-05-14T21:06:00.000-06:00

2009-04-27T19:47:00.000-06:00

Harry Potter how it should be...

2009-04-24T13:52:00.000-06:00

Leather bound and hand painted!

For a mere 20,000 pounds!

According to my calculations (shout out to Magic School Bus)

they can be mine if I save up for, I don't know, about 30 years...

***disclaimer: the pictures do not do these books justice***

2009-04-22T11:27:00.000-06:00

Thanks for a great day!

Happy Easter from the Catford Ward

2009-04-12T08:27:00.000-06:00

2009-04-10T01:39:00.000-06:00

Changing Tastes...

2009-04-07T11:09:00.000-06:00

Since coming to London I've discovered that I actually

enjoy some foods that I have never liked while living in America.

The list includes:

grapes (the purple ones are better but I don't discriminate against the green ones)

raisins (in this case the green ones are better but the same statement is true again)

black licorice (only black licorice macaroons and the thick licorice rope kind, oh and the licorice wheels)

Feta cheese

Who knew that moving half way across the world would broaden my food horizons so much?

Paris Holds the Key to My Heart...

2009-04-05T07:05:00.001-06:00

"America is my country and Paris is my hometown."

-Gertrude Stein

Pas de deux...

2009-03-28T15:23:00.000-06:00

Swan Lake is the most beautiful ballet I have ever seen. As the ballerinas leapt and twirled I could not take my eyes off of the stage. There are not many things that bring me to tears, but as Odette and Siegfried leapt into the lake and the music changed suddenly from minor to major, my eye couldn't keep from watering.

It was an experience I won't forget.

York...Durham...Ambleside...Preston

2009-03-24T14:23:00.000-06:00

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;

A poet could not be but gay,

In such a jocund company!

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

-Daffodils, William Wordsworth

2009-03-16T11:34:00.000-06:00

the day my heart broke in two...

2009-03-11T15:50:00.000-06:00

Anticipation...Center Court...Wimbledon... Last night I couldn't sleep because all of my dreams were going to come true. And then in one single instant, my little heart was shattered into a million pieces, left for the janitor at Wimbledon, all dressed up in green and purple, to sweep up with his broom. We got to Wimbledon around two. The teachers had been complaining all day because they couldn't understand why we wanted to see London's famous lawn club. I ran to the front of the line, ready for the tour, but as the first words passed from our tour guides lips, my attention was lost. "Center court will be closed until May due to construction. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Sorry for the inconvenience? I felt like a kid who's lollipop had just been swiped by a bully. I had eagerly waited to stand on center court at Wimbledon from the moment I found out we were going. I sulked around the club for a while but then realized I should at least take in what I could see. It was pretty amazing! We even got to walk down the infamous hall that so many legends have walked down to get to the court and sit in the press conference seats were Roger Federer sat after crying like a baby when he was defeated by Nadal last year. So I didn't get to see center court, but the rest of Wimbledon was an experience worth waiting for!

Steph and I, almost in tears

2009-03-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

to Greenwich by way of the Thames

the sun was shining

the wind blowing

but i didn't even notice the cold

maybe because i was staring at mckenzie's amazing glasses...

but back to Greenwich,

how many people can say they've been to the prime meridian?

well...i can

The Great Spitalfields Pancake Race

2009-03-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

"Pancake Day ( also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the last day before the period which Christians call Lent. It is traditional on this day to eat pancakes. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren't allowed in Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent."

Who knew that watching men in outrageous costumes running with skillets full of pancakes could be so entertaining. Finally we see some spontaneity from the Catholics!

After the race we figured we should join in and get some pancakes of our own. (Their pancakes are the equivalent of crepes in America). We found a quaint diner off of Westbourne Grove called Tom's. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like a local.

2009-02-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

A short haiku...

samples surround me

i always feel full after

free food brings true joy

We Interrupt This Blog About London to Broadcast Some Important News...

2009-02-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

As I type, the tents at Bryant Park are being packed away and Anna (Wintour of course) is back in her office, kicking up her Manolos in exhaustion. As far as I'm concerned, New York Fashion Week Fall 2009 was a success. I tried to choose my favorite looks but there were far too many so here are just a few. Look and enjoy.

**If you want to look through every show like I have spent the week doing click here

Also, the Mulleavy sisters and Zac Posen are complete geniuses!

2009-02-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

We went to Wales this week, Cardiff and Beaumaris. If you have to choose go to Beaumaris. It is on an island, surrounded by the ocean. After we got there I went running with a couple of girls. It was the most amazing feeling to have the sea breeze blowing alongside us as we ran through the sand. In Cardiff we went to Saint Fagan's which is an outdoor museum. We saw pigs. They made the trip worthwhile.

What do you get when you combine forty girls, 40's dresses, music, and a Valentine's Day with no boys? The best 40's themed Valentine's Day party London had ever seen. Surrounded by bright red lips and curls we danced the night away to classic jazz and even threw in a little Chris Brown (don't worry Rihanna, we are totally on your side). It was one of the best Valentine's Days ever!

2009-02-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

So I meant to post this a while ago but never got around to it. When I applied to BYU's Advertising Program I had to make a sixty second self portrait, basically an advertisement, as part of the process. Here it is...

By the way, they must have liked it because I just found out that I got accepted! I can finally say I have a major and some sort of direction in my life!

P.S. It really is a coincidence that this is full of hearts and that it I am posting it right after the day the world celebrates love. It was made in December and has nothing to do with Valentine's Day, but the timing does work out nicely.

2009-02-10T13:31:00.005-07:00

I am off to Wales until Friday. I'll update later this weekend upon my return!

It was a White week...

2009-02-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

First it was the snow. The biggest storm in 18 years covered London in a blanket (ok maybe comforter) of heavy white snow. People in Hyde Park were going nuts. Londoners did not know how to react, but they soon figured out that the curious white stuff could be used to make snow men and hit friends with.

Next were the white cliffs of Dover. One word: BEAUTIFUL, and I don't throw that word around lightly.

The Canterbury Cathedral is not white, but I went there this week and it was cool. So here is a picture...

***This post is over unless your name is Judd or Mary Anne: stop bugging Steph's parents about my lack of blogging, I hear about it from all the way across the pond!

2009-01-31T08:11:00.000-07:00

2009-01-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

"She was stronger alone; and her own good sense so well supported her, that her firmness was as unshaken, her appearance of cheerfulness as invariable, as, with regrets so poignant and so fresh, it was possible for them to be."

-Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen

If there is anything that every girl in my group agrees on it is the literary merit of Jane Austen. Yesterday we were able to go to the Winchester Cathedral to her final resting place. The Cathedral was beautiful and it was amazing to see the Jane Austen in person (ok not exactly in person but I was closer to her bones than most of you ever will be!)

My name is Molly and I'm a relapsed shoeaholic...

2009-01-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me well will remember that for a period of about three years I had an unhealthy obsession with foot wear. This actually began the first time I came to London. Walking through Camden Town I dragged my parents into almost every shoe store. My eyes widened every time I saw a new pair. These were nothing like we had back home in the States. My addiction continued on until the end of high school when my passion for shoes faded into dresses and fashion in general.

Well I'm back in London and I spotted a pair of shoes the first day I got here that clicked something in my brain. I saw gold, purple, sparkly, and then RED. Red Reebok Hightops, I knew I had to have them. They were a little pricey so I determined not to buy treats for a few weeks and set that money aside for my shoes. With much encouragement from girls in my group I made a little trip to Office ( the shoe store near our flat) and gave in. All I can say is that they might look ugly in pictures but they are really amazing. They shine and glimmer in the sun and make my heart fill with a warmth that no pair of Adidas or even Manolos ever could. Many would argue that every girl needs a fabulous pair of red high heels, I would agree but I think that for me, Reeboks are a much better fit.

This post is for my mom who is constantly asking me to update my blog...

2009-01-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

I don't really like to blog about what I've been doing everyday since I've been in London but I thought my dearest mother would like to get a quick update. Also she requested that I stop putting pictures of things up and put some of myself so I will try.
Our entire group went to Cambridge yesterday, and other than being freezing, it was amazing. If Provo was like Cambridge I would never leave! We snuck into one of the libraries behind a boy with after he swiped his card and it was just like the movies only much better. On our way to Cambridge we stopped in a town were Sir Francis Bacon lived for a while and went to a neat Cathedral there. We also stopped at and American cemetery commemorating Americans who died in WWII.

In more exciting news, I ran into Kanye West and Mos Def tagging some walls near the Hayward Gallery. They were polite enough to take a break and pose for some pictures.

2009-01-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

"At first Mrs. Darling did not know, but after thinking back into her childhood she just remembered a Peter Pan who was said to live with the fairies. There were odd stories about him: as that when children died he went part of the way with them, so that they should not be frightened. She had believed in him at the time, but now that she was married and full of sense she quite doubted whether there was any such person."

And so it seems I have found myself living in a place were not all children grow up...

2009-01-08T01:59:00.000-07:00

If you ever have trouble sleeping on a plane I would recommend Dramamine. I have never been plagued by motion sickness (knock on wood) but after taking aspirin to ensure I didn't get a blood clot, Tylenol PM seemed kind of pointless. Well let me tell you that Dramamine is a wonder drug. It knocked me out and I was able to sleep, even after I got kicked out of my exit row seat and was forced to sit with my extra large backpack spilling out from under my seat. Now I am here in London. This picture is actually of the BYU London Centre (I am in England so I should probably start using British spelling techniques). It is in the Notting Hill area, right near Hyde Park. I am in a room with 13 other girls, 7 bunkbeads, and about 100 pairs of shoes. The room is actually really spacious and things are very nice here. Yesterday we went and bought tube passes and walked around the neighborhood. I learned another lesson last night, no matter how cold you are when you go to bed, you don't need to wear ski thermals under your pajamas. I woke up about three hours after I fell asleep, sweating from head to toe! It's a good thing I learned that lesson early!

The past month...

2008-12-28T20:42:00.001-07:00

London calling from the underground...

2008-11-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

I was planning on going to London in April for BYU's Spring semester, but things have changed and now I am going in January for Winter semester. In preparation for my travels I will begin implementing British words into my everyday vocabulary, so when you see me and I am using words like "cheerio" and "bloke" don't be alarmed.

2008-11-17T21:40:00.000-07:00

FAITH= the power to cause things to happen

This is my dog, and this is my dog on drugs...

2008-11-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

For all of you out there who were worried about Lorenzo, he made it through his emergency surgery and except for the fact that he will have huge scar, he will be just fine. He did come home, however, highly drugged with a large plastic cone around his neck. Sadly, it is pretty hilarious watching him try to get around the house with it on his head. You can hear him coming from a mile away because he keeps scraping it along the walls. I know it's not funny...but it is so funny that I can't stop laughing every time I look at him!

On another note, I forgot to post these other pictures earlier. This year the Bonneville Halloween Parade came around our block and I saw two of the best costumes I have ever seen in my life. If you know my family well, especially my mother, you know that we have slight obsession with gnomes that has led to a fairly large collection of plastic friends lying around our house. Anyway before the parade my mom and I were walking the dog and we saw these kids walking to school with their parents and grandpa. All five of them were dressed in matching costumes. It was amazing!

Ode to an Australian Pup...

2008-11-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Our dearest Lorenzo went under the knife today, his very first emergency surgery. Apparently he developed some thing the vet called "bloat" and it caused his stomach to twist. If my mom hadn't taken him to the vet today he might have died. Fortunately my mom and our dog have this unspoken connection and she could read his mind (maybe it's because he spends almost every waking moment following her around the house) and knew he was sick. I thought that I should pay homage to our little labradoodle with some classic images from his past.
Feel Better Lorenzo!

2008-11-09T18:35:00.001-07:00

I just got back from a trip to San Francisco with the parents. We did a lot of walking, a bit of shopping, and even a bit of farmer's market perusing. Overall we had a great time.
One day while we were walking down one of the many busy San Francisco streets, we saw a women with a stroller a few feet ahead. She was wearing a headband with cat ears attached to it and her back was to us. I just assumed she was waiting for someone with her kid. We got closer and she was actually shaking a cup, asking for donations. The stroller did not contain a cute little baby, but two full grown cats, decked out with boas and sparkles. I wanted to take some pictures of her so my mom gave her a dollar and asked if I could get some shots. Her face immediately lit up and she proceeded to incoherently babble about her cats and asked if I would send her the photos when I got home. She wrote down her address, taking her time as she produced red unreadable squiggles on a stark sheet of paper. She rambled a little more and then my mom and I went into a store up the street. A few minutes later, we walked past her again and she put her cup in our face, obviously not remembering our conversation moments before. All I can say is thank goodness for crazy cat ladies!

2008-10-29T17:39:00.001-06:00

Correction: While attempting to stick it to the man (or in this case the fabric) I was informed by my mother that "twall" is really "toile". You would think after a few years of French I would know that...

TWALL THIS

2008-10-25T12:08:00.000-06:00

What can I say, plain twall is a little boring and I like unicorns!

Did you ever think as a hearse drove by...

2008-10-14T22:26:00.000-06:00

At our house it has been Halloween since mid-September (my mom is a little ADD when it comes to Halloween but its ok cause I love it too) Anyway, just thought I'd share some of my favorite things about All Hallows Eve!
-The Halloween Cruise on the Provo River: You get to see the river all lit up and if you're lucky, your boat might get highjacked by a pirate who just might give you some of his booty (it means treasure in pirate terms!)
-Pumpkins: This includes the oversized pumpkin that lights up that my mom bought at Target and put on our front porch about a month ago (I'm telling you she's like a little kid at Christmas when it comes to Halloween!) Also pumpkin chocolate chip bread, cookies, jacko-lanterns, and I especially enjoy hearing my Grandma Lewis say "punkin, punkin, punkin" whenever I point out the picture of a pumpkin I drew for her.
-Scary movies: If you haven't seen Watcher in the Woods you are missing out, if you have you have to agree that their is nothing more frightening than 70's special effects.
-Chocolate: there is not a better holiday because Halloween gives everyone an excuse to gorge on mini versions of their favorite candy and not feel too guilty about it.
-Costumes: Don't you remember as a little kid deciding months in advance what you were going to be for Halloween. I remember way too many fights with my friends over who was going to be what. Unfortunately when you get older, to some people, dressing up for Halloween actually means trying to wear the least amount of clothing possible...can anyone say Hollywood House party?
Speaking of costumes, any holiday that can get Martha Stewart to dress up and for which she creates a special edition of her magazine has to be a great ocassion!
Ghost stories- especially one's involving someone named Tina!
I'm sure there's more but for now these are the reasons why I love Halloween and can't wait two more weeks to eat lots and lots of chocolate!

I'd rather be in Paris...

2008-10-04T22:25:00.000-06:00

Can't we all just get along?

2008-09-26T21:27:00.001-06:00

If I really wanted to watch two grown men fighting on TV I would be watching WWF wrestling. At least there'd be a little more action!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

2008-09-14T13:00:00.000-06:00

New York Fashion Week-Spring 09 Collections
This week was a large mix of men's tailoring, floral prints, and dresses dresses dresses! (which I love by the way)
Although I was disappointed by some designers and many collections seemed a bit repetitive, there were many good things about what came down the runways.
I can't post all of my favorites, it would take up too much room, so here is just a peek of some of my favorite fabrics, prints, and overall looks.
From Marchesa:

Marc Jacobs (both collections)

Oscar de la Renta (one of my very favorites)

Anna Sui, Isaac Mizrahi, Behnaz Sarafpour, L'wren Scott (pictures in same order as list)

There so many more designs that I loved I am just to lazy to post them all. Overall Spring 09 was a success!

1- After this I promise to shut up about Russia!

2008-09-05T09:59:00.000-06:00

And the number one thing about Eastern Europe...(drum roll sounding in the distance)
THE FASHION
I'm not sure if Russia and Ukraine are ten years behind or ten years ahead in their fashion sense but things are definitely a little different over there. The top three trends just hitting the East include roller blades, nylons (women wore nylons with everything including sandals, and this included all ages not just the Babushka's), and the hottest trend, which happens to be most near and dear to my heart, is the fabulous Mullet. In my past travels through Europe I enjoyed mullet sightings because they were often surprising but in Russia I got so used to seeing mullets lining the streets that my radar was desensitized and I stopped noticing all the people walking around with business in the front and a party in the back. At first I was so surprised how behind Eastern Europe was in the fashion world, but who knows, maybe in ten years we will all be rollerblading with mullets. I really hope so!

3 and 2- The Palaces and Asians

2008-09-03T21:27:00.000-06:00

3-As we walked the streets of St. Petersburg the soundtrack from Anastasia was constantly running through my head, especially when we went to the Hermitage museum which was actually the winter palace of Anastasia and her family, (remember the run down palace she goes to in the movie, come on, don't be ashamed, you know you've seen it a million times!) Any way the Hermitage is an amazing art museum in the winter palace, which is painted in my favorite color and extends along a beautiful river. For some reason I am a little obsessed with palaces, I mean who wouldn't want to have their own ball room just down the hall from where you sleep?

You can't see the amazing color under the scaffolding, sorry...
We also went to Peterhoff just outside of St. Petersburg which is considered the summer palace and is based off of the design of Versaille. It is not quite as big but the gardens are huge and there is a lot of gold, I mean a lot!

We also went to some palaces in Yalta, (thats in Ukraine), like the palace where the Yalta Conference took place, (look it up its important!) Maybe more impressive than the palaces were the poses that we caught some of the Russian tourists striking throughout the tour. For Eastern Europeans, every shot is a glamour shot. Unfortunately I didn't capture any of these...maybe next time!

This isn't the Yalta Conference palace, it's some other palace in Yalta.
2- Asians
Yes there are Asians in Russia and yes they are still posing creatively for pictures. When we were at the Hermitage this Asian couple was taking pictures of each other on the stairs and they had some pretty sweet moves but I got my camera out too late and missed it...dang! I did capture this picture at the Kremlin and it made me happy to know that no matter where I am in the world my Asian tourists will be there giving their peace signs. Once we got to France even my dad got into the Asian posing spirit, and I have to say he's a natural!

sorry I couldn't figure out how to rotate this one!

4- Onions... Onion domes that is

2008-08-31T16:45:00.000-06:00

The architecture in Eastern Europe is unlike anything I have ever seen and I think these magnificent buildings really represent the Russian and Ukrainian culture that was stifled under Communism. Fortunately for us tourists these buildings were left standing during the Revolution and years of Communist dictators so we got at least a subtle glimpse of the true Eastern European vitality.

Eastern Europe Top Five

2008-08-28T09:32:00.000-06:00

5-The Old Women
Babushka's, as their known in Russia and Ukraine, line the streets of Eastern Europe, their heads covered, their brows wrinkled. The best experience I had with these women was at Red Square, when tourists were tossing their coins onto a tiled monument and the Babushkas were scurrying around collecting the coins for themselves.

2008-08-26T21:18:00.001-06:00

home, alive, more to come...

To the Motherland...

2008-08-01T21:32:00.000-06:00

So I am not so good at keeping this blog updated but I am off to Eastern Europe for three weeks and I thought I would make one last post. For all of you out there who might be wondering what Russia is really like I decided I would create a little preview using images from my Google search of Russia.

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Please pray for me!

My Life Is Complete Again

2008-07-19T16:06:00.000-06:00

Everyone could use a little Tim Gunn in their life so I am very excited to announce that Project Runway Season 5 has begun. I have been forced to watch on YouTube as my father is slowly coming around to calling the cable company so we can get Bravo Tv. Anyway the first episode was brilliant as always and I already have a few favorites for the season. I have to say that overall this is definitely the best dressed group so far!

Emily- she has really great style

Emily's first challenge look

Kelli- she introduced herself as the illegitimate child of Vivian Westwood and Betsey Johnson, whats not to like, plus she reminds me of a mix of Kit and Sweet Pea from the previous seasons. Although I didn't love her first runway look she did win the first challenge!

Kelli's first challenge, its cute except for the coffee filters...

Jerell-He is very creative and not bad looking either!

Jerell's first look, pretty good for getting all the materials at the grocery store!

Wesley- I just really liked his dress for the first challenge, I don't know if I really like him...

I mean come on he made flowers out of fly swatters, pretty cool.

If I had to choose favorites on personal style alone, along with Emily I love Leanne, and I love Kenley's 50's style bow with netting!

Check them all out at bravotv.com

2008-07-12T23:57:00.000-06:00

i'm the kid on the bike

A little business in the front with a party in the back...

2008-07-01T22:26:00.000-06:00

Here's a little shout out to all though Euro-mullets that made my trip complete. You guys don't know what you do to me!

The She-Mullet, a classic

Mullet by the sea...

and last but not least, the dred-mullet, a native of Spain!

Alas, I wish all continents could pull of the mullet half as well as our dear friends in Europe.

2008-06-26T18:06:00.000-06:00

I thought I was ready to come home. After being home for a little more than I week I am ready to go back. Back to walking all day with no where to go, back to being in a place where being productive meant visiting a museum in the morning and having a picnic at night, and back to seeing the world through cultures with histories much grander than a few hundred years. I love being home, I really do, but I miss the sense of exploration and spontaneity that the first half of my summer granted me. Who knows, maybe I'll go back...in August...

A stroll through Camden...

2008-06-21T16:34:00.000-06:00

Just another British inspiration for the day

2008-06-20T05:55:00.001-06:00

Look of the day

2008-06-20T05:47:00.000-06:00

So I found many inspiring dressers on my recent bout abroad and here is just one of many I would like to share. I found this girl walking across Abbey Road in London, just a few yards from where the Beatles made their infamous trek.

In the beginning...

2008-06-20T05:27:00.000-06:00

So this will be my first attempt at keeping a blog and since I can't keep a consistent journal it will be interesting to see just how up to date I keep this. Right now it is five thirty in the morning and I am wide awake because I just got back from a seven week adventure in Europe and I am still on London time. Why not take these few hours of silence to create a blog?