Welcome to Audrey's Life as a Private Person.

So... I went private. Why, you ask??? Because the Museum That Must Not Be Named is spying on me.

This is what happened. On Monday, May 18, 2009, I got an email from one Suzanne McLaughlin, Internship Coordinator for You-Know-What-Museum. She wanted to see me in her office before I went home for the day. So, I packed up my stuff a little bit early to drop in and talk to her. I figured that she just wanted to discuss my first week of work, you know, see how I was doing.

I went up the elevator, said hi to Eddy the Elevator Man, then proceeded to her office.

This is how it went:
"Hi, Suzanne! How are you?" I sat down.
"I'm fine. Audrey, I have something that needs to be brought to your attention."
"Okay..." I was very hesitant in my okay. I sat down.
"Here at the [Museum that Must Not Be Named], we like to see what people are saying about us. We have advanced searching technology to find every time the [Museum that Must Not Be Named] is mentioned online. This morning I was notified that your blog was found."
"Oh."
"Now, there was nothing super inappropriate on there, but you probably should not have pictures of your ID badge online, or your email address." Super inappropriate?? That actually is a direct quote, and translated it means, you are in trouble. You have inappropriate things on your blog. Take them off within the next two minutes."
And then my line, "Oh my gosh, I had no idea. Wow, that does seem like a dumb idea to put my ID badge on there. I didn't even think about security. I'm so sorry. I understand completely. I'll take it down right away. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it." Blah Blah Blah.

I walked out of that office feeling many things:
1) Very much in trouble. She did not get mad at me, she was just concerned and needed to let me know. BUT, I don't get even slightly in trouble, EVER, for ANYTHING. I remember the 3 specific times in Elementary School when I got in trouble. It just has not ever happen besides those three random incidences (that were extraordinarily unjust by the way. I still say that I did nothing wrong). People don't get mad at Audrey Sweetheart, because I never do anything wrong. The end.
2) Watched. Monitored. Censored. Spied On. Violated. Seen. Attacked. My first amendment rights had been infringed upon. What the dementor happened to freedom of Speech?
3) Very nervous and worried. I had mentioned some co-workers in that first, unedited post. I didn't say mean things, but they were things that could have been taken as offensive. I was mortified by the fact that someone from the Archives Center may or may have already seen my blog. I was SCARED TO DEATH that my internship would be ruined over a stupid blog issue.

I marched right home, and my blog was edited within a half an hour of talking to Suzanne McLaughlin, Internship Coordinator. And then, before I went to bed that night, I made the difficult decision to go private. I did not want to be censored, and I did not want to deal with this issue in the future. I figured that this was better, anyway, because it creeps me out when random people from China read my blog and leave comments. I want none of that. So, I am private and secure, and You-Know-What-Museum is now relateable to You-Know-Who, Voldemort. Let me explain why:

1) I am scared to use the name on my blog because I don't want to be found again.
2) The Museum That Must Not Be Named is very powerful.
3) The Taboo. With a single mention, You-Know-What-Museum finds the source, just like old Voldy traces those who use his name. (Exhibit A: HP 7 when Fenrir Greyback finds Harry, Ron, and Hermione and takes them to Malfoy Manor. Tragic Consequences.)
4) Voldemort causes fright and pain.

And so, my friends. I have a private blog, and I am very unhappy about it. But I feel secure, and that's worth something.

Down in the Dumps.

So, I've been slightly down in the dumps. I have a cold, the weather is horribly cold and rainy outside (not at all what I was expecting in D.C.- well, not the cold part, anyway), everyone is gone all day at internships except for me (I start next Tuesday), AND I just realized, I am suffering from severe scrapbooking withdrawl. I need to get SCRAPPY! Me and Audrey P. used to say that we just needed to "get our scrap on," and boy, am I feeling it now. And the sad part is that I have only been gone from Pebbles for like 2.5 weeks, and I still have ALL SUMMER ahead of me. It's such a shame. My one regret about this whole D.C. experience is that I didn't bring any scrapbook stuff with me, and I thought that I would be okay without all of it. I'm just SO DUMB sometimes!

So, today, my goal is to find a scrapbook store that I can reach by one of my two sources of transportation- my feet, and the metro. I searched online, and low and behold, I found a craft store called Ipso Crafto in the Southeast quadrant of the city that I could easily reach by metro via the Eastern Market stop (one of my fave stops). The craft store even has fabric, and I have been dying to make myself a new blanket. by hand. You see, I CANNOT stand having only one blanket on my bed. I desperately need a blanket to cuddle with.

For a few brief minutes, I was very, very excited about the idea of going to a craft store, buying scrapbook stuff, and finding fabric to hand-sew a quilt out of. AND THEN, I saw a notice that said, and I quote, "Remember, DECEMBER 14, 2008, THIS SUNDAY, is our last day ever! We’re not moving, not closing for renovation, not taking a holiday. We’re shutting our doors for good." Now, I don't have a picture of my sad face, but imagine one, and insert it right here.......

Now what am I going to do?? Pebbles friends, I hope you understand this problem. All you other friends out there, just try to sympathize, becuase this is a BIG problem.

And don't worry guys. I will keep searching. And also, I miss you, Pebbles in my Pocket.

Love, Audrey