I simultaneously find it hard and easy to believe that it’s been five months since I began this internship at Beaufort Books. It has been quite the adventure, and I’m glad you all got to tag along for the ride. I remember when I was first informed about my blog duties, I was actually, contrary to my typical behavior, really scared. What am I blogging about? Who out there in WWW will care? I legitimately had no idea what to expect – out of the internship, out of my last semester of college, out of this blog. I’ll admit, I’m still in the question mark phase of my life, but five months later I am without a doubt a little bit less confused. If there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that I don’t want to give up writing, probably ever.

Speaking of writing, this blog began as a literature and publishing-related blog, and I will continue that on through to its last. I just recently read Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games and its sequel, Catching Fire. It is edge of your seat suspense, and a phenomenal summer read, because the third installment hits shelves August 24^th. There’s also a movie in the works, it’s YA, so it’s  never pretentious, and your blogger loves it. ‘Nuff said.

Here is the last segment in my connections list:
Remember that rocker-looking famous dude from my building? The one I always see in the elevator? Well, last week we rode up together again, and we got to chatting (he’s a little chatty), and at some point I put out my hand and introduced myself as Rachel, fully sure this semi-famous man would gladly inform me of his first and last name, thereby giving me full swing to Google him. Unfortunately, all I got was a first name, and it’s Ricky. Not at all helpful. Well, you’ll just have to trust me that there is a semi-famous rocker dude who always rides in the elevator with me. And he knows my name now.

Whoa! of the day: Every single day that I’ve been at Beaufort Books, I have gone to a little place around the corner for lunch called Books and Bagels. It is one of the only kosher places in the area, and it’s a really sweet place, with daily soups (I got a free one last week!). I also find it kind of funny that it’s called Books and Bagels, because there are in total about five books on the shelves at any given time. Unimportant. What is important is that my friend was in Vienna two weeks ago, and in telling me about his trip, reported that he had eaten at this little kosher place he found called…Books and Bagels! I’m going to let you digest that. It is my mission for the day to find out what the connection is between the two. Apparently, there are much more books in the Austrian version of the cafe, which makes a lot of sense if the 19th Street version is an offshoot of it. Addition from the future post-lunch Rachel: Okay, so I just got back from Books and Bagels where I got a free lunch because it’s my last day! I asked one of the workers there about the Viennese Books and Bagels and he thinks either the owner used their ideas, or owns both! Mystery solved! Can someone say uncanny?

What else? I have officially moved to the Jersey shore for the summer. This means the number of persons living in my house has…quintupled? Is that a word? It also means Jersey cops, Jersey hicks, Jersey boardwalks, and most importantly, Jersey moonrise! If you have yet to watch the moon rise, and I have had to convince people in past that yes, the moon does in fact rise, this is a MUST SEE. Trust me. I took NJ Transit today, which made the F Train look like my nephew’s Thomas the Tank Engine toy. Over the weekend I saw billboards toting the following slogan: Jersey Doesn’t Stink! I went to their website, which you need to check out HERE. The concept is hilarious and yes of course I signed the petition. Even though when I arrived at the Secaucus Junction there really was a terrible smell emanating in the air, there are other, more important ways which make Jersey unstinky. One of which includes that your blogger lives there in the summer.

To celebrate the end of my blog, I have compiled a list of mine and your all-time faves. There’s nothing like a little reminiscing for a proper season finale. Here they are in chronological order (because that always makes the most sense). Click on the titles for a direct hyperlink to the blog post.

1) Imperfect Peyton – In this blog, my second ever, I explored my love for Manning and the loss of the Super Bowl. If there is one amazing part of the summer, it’s the fact that when it’s over, number 18 will be back on the field ready to conquer again.

2) Brand New Brand – When Rachel Lily was created, the connections list started, and my road to fame began.

3) Labyrinths – One of my favorites. In summary, I got lost in the city on the way to a book club on Labyrinths. Irony at its best.

4) Family Feud on the F – A look at the ridiculous mind of your blogger.

5) Orange Plates – Here’s something I never told you. According to the weekly website analytics, this blog post received a record-breaking number of hits – almost 250!

6) Random Facts of Blogness – A fan favorite.

7) Random Facts of Blogness II – The sequel.

Sadly, we need to wrap up and say our goodbyes. We have come a long way. Remember the snow day that kept me locked up at home? It’s now a sweltering, melting city out there. We’ve discussed Google, and Apple, great books, great authors and great ideas. I think the randomness of this blog has always kept me on my toes, and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Since it’s my last blog post, maybe you’ll all consider commenting? Hm?

I want to thank Erin, who may not work at Beaufort anymore, but truly made my experience here unforgettable in the best of ways. I would also like to thank Margot, who is the backbone of this company, and who really taught me everything I will ever need to know about publishing. I would also like to thank the Midpoint crew – James, Josh, Antonio, Tony, Charlie, Laurie and of course, Eric. I was so lucky to be given this opportunity, and I thank you for making it such a memorable one. And lastly, I would like to thank all of you – friends, family and strangers alike, who have taken this phenomenal journey with me. Although I joked on my very first post about a network of “fans” that I supposedly had, I am very much humbled by the outpouring of support from my blog followers. I have named them without names throughout these last five months, but I hope they know how much I appreciate them. Gracias. You rock my blogging world.

In the words of William Shakespeare – “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
In the words of Gov. Schwarzenegger – “I’ll be back.”

Your truly,

Rachel Lily

p.s. No seriously, I’ll be back. I am semi-planning to get my own blog somewhere out there. Google me. This is not the last you’ll hear from Rachel Lily. Goodbye Beau and Arrow, hello world!

Wouldn’t exactly wanna be me either…I have a terrible cold and cough and it’s the beginning of May. Do I automatically assume allergies (of which I never had)? Or do I blame the F-train/my nephew who was sneezing on me/not wearing socks to sleep? You know it’s bad when you need NyQuil. Oh, NyQuil, your drug is my love (I <3 Kesha).

I’ve been holding out on my connections list. I saw Miranda from Sex and the City a few weeks ago and I didn’t even tell you. She was in the city. Predictable…I’m also pretty sure I was just with someone famous in the elevator. Rocker dude type. He was talking to other people in the elevator about writing a song for some album, and he’s going to playing with Sheila E. next week, who apparently once played with Prince. It is officially my goal for the remainder of my time at Beaufort to figure out who this guy is.

Speaking of my time at Beaufort, I have great news. I will be here for an extra month! Your favorite blogger just extended until mid-June. A big deal.

THIS JUST IN: I asked Margot who the guy is and she doesn’t know, BUT, lo and behold, there is a famous acupuncturist on my floor who apparently has A-list clientele. Margot said she’s seen an Olsen twin, and Elizabeth Berkely (Jesse from Saved by the Bell) in the elevator, and Charlie, another co-worked spoke to Sting for like a block! I will be lingering in the hallway from now on. This is bigger news than the Google Editions (times like, a thousand??).

I’ll be sure to remember you all when I become famous.

Or maybe only those who comment.

Yes, that’s a blogging threat.

Comment!

Please comment?

I’ll mention you in my blog if you comment.

I’m outty,

Rachel Lily

In perhaps one of the most outstanding media affronts I have seen in my lifetime, Google (aka The UnBing, The Godly One, He Who Must Be Named) has decided to declare war on Chinese censorship. They have already begun rerouting content through Hong Kong. The Chinese have already begun mourning the loss by placing flowers at their Beijing headquarters (not kidding). Of course, no media power can claim similarities to the almighty Google, but it’s important that we clarify what is going on here. A website has decided that its unalienable rights as a search engine supersede the declarations of one of the most powerful countries on Earth. And I, in all my blog glory feel the interminable need to burst out in applause. This is so freakin’ cool! The internet vs. a country – we’re talking 21st century technological warfare. This is Freedom of Speech in a whole new light, one which I’m sure our forefathers would be proud of. Whether Sergey Brin has the chutzpah (he’s Jewish) and bravado to carry this through to the end will definitely be something to keep an eye out for.
Other matters: The woman who helps me pick out clothes at one my favorite Jersey boutiques turns out to be Ashley Tisdale’s grandmother. My niece just informed me of this colossal addition to my A-list list. (In the words of Ashley herself – “I want it all!”)
I started reading Dave Eggers’ A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which I read a portion of in college and it’s totally amazing all over again. Of course, I only read the introductory pages, but if you pick up this book you’ll understand that that’s no slim feat.
My sister created her own heartbreaking work of staggering genius this past Wednesday at an event for Women in the Arts at the 92nd Street Y in Tribeca. Check it out HERE. Also, in another shameless sibling plug, that same sister also has her very own book blog. Check it out HERE.

Happy Passover! I can’t wait…

Rachel Lily

Rachel Lily

Speaking of yahoo, who uses Yahoo? Or better yet, who uses anything aside from Google these days? My blackberry has permanently defaulted Bing as my go-to search engine and I am not at all satisfied. Google = Godly.

On another note, my two best friends got married last night. To each other. Ah yes, the joy of being a bridesmaid for the 8th time in a one year period can sometimes drive me slightly over the edge of sanity, but it is a position I am for the most part extremely honored and delighted to be in. People oftentimes come up to me and wonder if I ever wear anything other than a gown. Call me Katherine Heigl, I do have a bunch. But yes, I own other clothing! I just don’t get a chance to wear them that often as I am forever walking down the aisle without an engagement ring. Make no mistake, I am not bitter about this. But my dancing feet most assuredly are.

Toodles,

Rachel Lily