gracer's Profile

I love to read, obviously! I also enjoy cooking, shopping, and traveling.

I have been a member for awhile now, but am still feeling my way around PBS. I am always open to doing deals, just ask. I read historical romance, history, current events, travelogues, and short stories. I want to read more of the canon and get into poetry. I have a smoke-free home and no pets, but I buy a lot of books used and I used to have a cat.

Favorite authors include: Mary Balogh, Paul Bowles, Bill Bryson, Loretta Chase, Suzanne Enoch, Gaelen Foley, Laura Lee Guhrke, Sabrina Jeffries, Laura Kinsale, Lisa Kleypas, Katherine Mansfield, S.J. Perelman, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, J.D. Robb, Saki, P.G. Wodehouse

I collect postcards, so if you want to send me one from your state, I would love it!

For Diva Swap: First off, I will say that I have been invited to serve in the Peace Corps so I am parting with a lot of my worldly goods. That being said, my inner diva still enjoys pampering and the joys a little luxury can bring. And I've been dying to join the diva swap, so here I am! This will be my last diva swap for awhile!

Kaboodle Wishlist

My Kaboodle wishlists have both realistic and unrealistic items on them. It is more of a reference for me and also so you can get an idea of the types of things I like and am looking for. I also posted my Style list, so you can get a better idea of my style sensibility. My Gift Ideas list is for me for ideas on what to buy for someone else not ideas for other people to get for me. Also, my Kaboodle wishlist may have many versions of an item, such as socks or a backpack. I do not want all of them! It is just to give you a sense of choice and freedom within my list!

Kaboodle Style List

Bags: I could use a canvas tote bag for carrying groceries from the bazaar. You know the loose type often associated with bookstores or themed conventions. I could also use two of the compression sacks offered by Eagle Creek, the Large ones.

Beverages: I enjoy tea and would be willing to try a new kind. I haven't gotten into looseleaf and teaballs or anything. I usually drink chamomile, mint, or Good Earth Sweet and Spicy. I don't drink coffee. I could also use some of the drink powders like Crystal Light or Gatorade.

Birthday: May 20

Books: The following are some books I would like to read. I would love any of these. Used is fine and encouraged. I am facing space constraints on what I can take with me, so if you do find any of these books it might be better to send them to me later once I am at my permanent post. Or if you send me books later, I will love you!

Shamima Ahmed - NGOs in International Politics

Michael Barnett - Eyewitness to Genocide

John Baxter - A Pound of Paper

Carol Bergman - Another Day in Paradise

Paul Bowles - Without Stopping

Ray Bradbury - Bradbury Stories: 100 of His Most Celebrated Tales

Thomas Dichter - Despite Good Intentions

Alexander Laban Hinton - Annihilating Difference

Dahr Jamail - Beyond the Green Zone

Ben Kiernan - Blood and Soil

Alan Kuperman - The Limits of Humanitarian Intervention

Ruth Levine - Millions Saved

Brad Newsham - Take Me With You

Samantha Power - Chasing the Flame

Fiona Terry - Condemned to Repeat?

I would also like to try some of Dylan Thomas' poetry or Rilke.

Calendar: I'm good through 2009, thanks to Sonal!

Candles: I'm not really into candles, but I do like fresher scents, citrus, and sandalwood. I do have a Glade plug-in but I am good for now.

Candy and Snacks: I like any candy unless it has coconut in it. I like Asian stuff, such as ginger chews (so spicy and addicting), tamarind, Japanese caramels (I don't know what they're called but they come in a little yellow box, kind of the size of a small pack of cigarettes), nori maki crackers (the ones wrapped in seaweed). I also like chocolate (except white), dark chocolate with almonds in it, Nutrageous, Reese's, etc. I like root beer barrels. Fruity candy is a winner as well. I am a fan of Starbursts, Skittles, Jelly Belly, etc. I like to eat.

Clothes: I am in the market for a nice pair of gloves, probably size small, I have small hands. (waterproof for snow or wool and I can get liners), and a nice beanie (I think I have a couple on my Kaboodle). I could use a scarf, one for cold weather.

Collections: Postcards

Colors: For clothes, I like more natural colors or saturated darker colors (think fall, like plum, navy, forest green, charcoal gray). I look horrid in yellow, coral, and orange. I don't think pastels are my colors and I know I wear too much black. Actually, in general I like solids and deeper colors. Neutrals are always good.

Crafts: I love scrapbooking and paper crafts, but I don't go all out. I am not into rub-ons, die-cuts, bedazzlers, etc. I am an amateur stamper. I would like a self-healing cutting mat or one of the Fiskars paper cutters (both relatively small). Prismacolor markers, color pencils, blenders, Staedtler markers are great as well.

Credits: Love credits. I think I'm good for now.

Decor: Nothing needed at this time.

Games: I love games! I like to do crossword puzzles. I don't do sudoku. The MENSA brain teaser books are fun. A multiple games in one (travel-sized) would be handy for me. I already have the portable Scrabble. Apparently, UNO is a big hit in Ukraine. If you have a used one that you don't use anymore, I would love to get a couple decks. According to a fellow volunteer, "My host family is addicted to UNO like crack!" I am also interested in getting a jump rope (for cardio), one of those exercise balls (depending on how big it is), and a NERF football. I would really like to get the game TWISTER. Used is fine.

Gift cards: REI, Amazon, Borders, Target

Hair: I shaved my head last fall and have been growing it out, but my hair is very thick so a lot of cute little clips and barrettes will just fall out. A brush would be nice or strong non-metal elastics.

Holiday decorations: I am not into holiday decorations. There are some historical masks on my Kaboodle that I would like for portable Halloween fun. Although, holiday theme stuff is good for teaching aids, I hear. Maybe some hanging decorations for Halloween or Christmas, like the paper type that you put in the window? Something small, like a pumpkin.

Jewelry: I don't wear a lot of jewelry. I don't wear earrings, but I like funky necklaces or bracelets and that's what I would most likely wear. I like natural stones, rocks, cool beadwork. Think minimalist, spare design. I am not into hearts or charms. I could use a cheap, unobtrusive watch.

Kitchen: I could use an oven thermometer and some measuring cups.

Magazines: No subscriptions needed at this time. Magazines I like include The Economist, Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, and InStyle.

Misc.: A box of dustless chalk, random pictures of your town or things in your town that are unique to your area (i.e. Mom and Pop grocery stores, weird monuments, nature, what your backyard or public library or mass transit looks like...)

Movies: Prefer widescreen. I like documentaries (I own Planet Earth), would love The Bourne Ultimatum, Arrested Development, Law and Order: Criminal Intent (the ones with Vincent d'Onofrio). I'd also like to get something like Ace of Cakes or No Reservations on dvd, that I normally wouldn't buy, but would love to get. I also like foreign language films and the PBS programs Frontline and Nova. I'd also be down to getting something feel-goody or trashy like later series of Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl.

Music: I listen to mostly indie rock. To give you an idea of my music taste, I enjoy Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire, Interpol, Iron and Wine, Neko Case, Neutral Milk Hotel, Spoon, etc. If you have something in mind, ask me because I might already have it. If you're a musician or there's a cool local band you're into, send me some. I would love a Mix CD, be sure to include a track listing, though! Or if you want to make a data cd of a lot of music, that would be great as well. I have lost some music recently so if you have any of the Spoon albums or Feist albums, we should talk. I can think of some more.

Romance: These are a few of the books that I am ALWAYS on the lookout for. If you find any of these, I would be very happy!

Adele Ashworth - Winter Garden

Adele Ashworth - Stolen Charms

Old Mary Balogh

Loretta Chase - The Last Hellion

Suzanne Enoch - The Black Duke's Prize

Suzanne Enoch - Angel's Devil

Suzanne Enoch - Lady Rogue

Suzanne Enoch - Stolen Kisses

Laura Lee Guhrke - Conor's Way

Lorraine Heath - Texas Glory

Lorraine Heath - Texas Splendor

Lorraine Heath - Always to Remember

Old Carla Kelly

Scents: I love the smell of fresh laundry!, sandalwood, citrus, fruity, clean, fresh, subtle. I don't really care for floral unless it's light, don't really like rose, vanilla, or musk.

Shoes: None needed at this time! Can you believe I'm saying this?!?

Smoke: No

Socks: Tonya got me some really nice hiking socks and wool socks to wear with my boots, in the cold. I am looking for a couple of pairs of nice wicking running socks. Like Coolmax or Teko. Not white. I wear a size 7 so sock size is usually small or medium. I don't mind irregular or closeout socks.

Sports: I am into sports, but can't think of anything I would like to get that is sports related.

State: Oregon land of assisted suicide, Nike, track and field, good microbrews, pinot noir, Tillamook cheese, Crater Lake, Columbia clothing company, and a lot more.

Stationery: Love it! But I'm pretty set for now.

Taste: To give you an idea of my taste, I'd say I prefer modern art, drink mostly water, like songs you can dance to, and like to travel by myself. Some of my favorite brands/designers (I don't expect anything from these!) include 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander McQueen, Anthropologie, Burberry Prorsum, Calvin Klein, J. Crew, Jil Sander, Proenza Schouler, Theory, Zac Posen.

Toiletries: I like lotion, wear perfume occasionally. Again, think clean, fresh, subtle scents. I usually wear L'eau par Kenzo (running out) but also like Dolce and Gabbana's Light Blue and Clinique Happy if that gives you an idea. I am taking a GAP body spray with me. I like Burt's Bee's products, especially the regular chapstick (could use 1-2 tubes). I rarely wear makeup, but if you have something good, I'll try it out. I will probably be trying the L'Oreal bare minerals-esque stuff. Also, anything organic, natural, sustainable is good. I need a new moisturizer with a sunscreen in it. I used Aveeno in the past but am willing to branch out. Small, closeable bottle, please.

Travel: I love to travel! I have put a few travel related items on my Kaboodle list. I have been to England, Spain, Mexico, Egypt, Senegal, Thailand, Burma, South Korea, and hope to travel much more. I love reading travel memoirs, particularly those in the developing world.

Because you divas are sick, sick people who like to buy me things: Here is a list of a bunch of small items that I am needing to take with me, there are some bigger items below

Shout Wipes (They come in little packs often found either in the laundry detergent aisle or travel/trial size aisle)

Tide 2 Go pens (ditto, I would like 2)

A rolling lint brush (the kind with the sticky paper)

Sunglasses (they can be cheap, I have a round face)

Some sort of drugstore face moisturizer that has SPF

Sunscreen (small); I have heard it comes in a stick form, but have yet to see it myself

Hand sanitizer (Purell or similar - one smaller bottle for purse, one larger one to refill)

Emergen-C

Recipes

Measuring cups (with both metric and US)

Drink/Sauce/Soup mixes and spices (probably a wait and send later situation)

Rubber cement (to get my craft on)

Nerf football

Crossword puzzle book

1-2 LED keychain lights

Bigger items: Don't feel you need to get me these things.

Gloves

UNO

Beanie

Running socks (not white)

Eagle Creek compression sacks (1-2), Large

Gossip Girl on dvd

Arrested Development, Monk, etc.

Trouser socks (no color preference but black or nude would be best)

Bradt travel guide: Ukraine, 2nd Edition

Katzner Russian-English dictionary

Oven thermometer - different from a meat thermometer

A cheap watch like the kind they sell at Wal-Mart or Target

Now for the picky part: This is not a requirement and I understand time and money constraints. I feel very strongly about supporting small, local businesses and championing human rights. As such, I am trying hard to limit my shopping from big chain stores as well as limit the products I buy that are made in China. I am very interested in current events and support divestment, the anti-genocide movement, and the resistance in Burma. If it is possible, I would prefer products that are not made in China. I know this is hard, and I cannot completely get away from it myself, but I am trying. That being said, who doesn't love Target, Borders, and getting a bargain (especially on books!) at Wally World. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I will try and be a conscientious shopper as well as utilize local shops and businesses in my town, and I hope that effort will be made on my behalf in return. I always prefer quality over quantity as well. I would also enjoy a note or letter or any information on something that you're passionate about. Whether it's women's issues, education, some political movement, I'd love to know about it. I love to learn new things about the world, particularly things that relate to public health, women's issues, education, genocide, poverty, microfinance, etc. Stand up, divas!

But honestly, I will love anything you send me. It is the thought that counts.