Day 24

I'm two days late on Day 24, but I'd like to feel my delay had great purpose.

Whatever tickles your fancy

You see dear readers, I have nothing that tickles my fancy this very second. I'm trying to save up for the "... in great details" in the next few posts. If I spill it now, I'd delay the writer's block I have right now. But back to the matter at hand. April 26th.

Today is the 4-year anniversary of this establishment. This is the 793 post. Too bad I didn't plan a bit better and I could have had 800 posts on my 4th birthday. But that would have involved advanced math. And we all know my charming is better than my math. And if you know me at all, you also know my charming isn't anything to write home about.

I won't wax poetic about stats and figures because A) who cares and B) who cares. But 100,000 page loads the same month as my 800th post the same month I turn four years old? WHAT IF THIS IS AS GOOD AS MY LIFE GETS? I'm probably at the peak right? It can only be downhill here: brittle bones, thinning hair, and robots to vacuum my floor.

This does remind me of a funny exchange Julie and I kept having at my parents house over Easter. She'd been asking about my blog and if I had plans to put the posts into book form. The answer is well yeah, kind of -- but what's the end game here? (Also, my favorite new catchphrase of 2010.) I priced the books out, and for as much and as somewhat consistently as I've written, having books made would cost me about $100 a year. The longer I wait, the pricier it gets overall. Then the big question about formatting and binding and captioning... and right: A) who cares and B) who cares.

Anyway, the thought of those books kept coming up in conversation. Yes they'd be nice to have later in life (but would they?). But what to do with them now? Put them in a cedar chest? In a book shelf in the living room? The mock conversations we came up with involving complicated scenarios on why and how visitors would see and ask about the books popped up in conversation all weekend. End game? Tangible output for hours of laborious input.

End game? I could finally throw away all my scrapbooking equipment. And that would tickle my fancy.

**Also? Don't miss Day 23 below this. It's blitzkrieg all up in this space to catch-up, but that's a funny one you shouldn't miss.

***Also? Jody, I haven't forgotten about you. It's just been wild. I always pay out on my contests, sometimes I'm just not very punctual. Congrats on the 100,000th page load!

Day 14

I do very little reading that isn't easily digested fiction. I blame this on a stressful job and the unwinding I do when I don't have to focus much on literary themes or complicated theories. Ironically, I purchased the following book at Target, thinking it was a fiction novel.

A non-fiction book

I don't recommend "Flags of our Fathers" because it's one of the few non-fiction books I've read. I genuinely recommend it because it's a fascinating look at the fighting that happened in the Pacific during World War II. The book tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima, a nearly impenetrable island off the coast of Japan and the Americans charge to capture two air fields. Don't be fooled into thinking the book is all war tactics; true there's some of that, but it's fascinating.

My favorite part are the first few chapters that outline the difference between waging war in Europe as opposed to the East. Most GIs considered assignments to the War in the Pacific as a death warrant; the "rules of war" were still maintained in Europe, but the Japanese fought in ways unfathomable to American minds.

The book reads part history, part art of war, part biography. The book centers on the "photograph that turned the war" -- the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima; and chronicles the lives (both pre and post-war) of those who raised the flag.

Clint Eastwood turned the book into a movie a few years ago, and you know I don't love posting videos, but the trailer is a beautiful look at what the book is about. I honestly can't remember if I saw the movie because the book is just as expressive.



The book, though non-fiction, is an easy read. And it will make you feel smart! And then we can rent the movie and watch it together. Deal?

Are there non-fiction books you'd recommend? If you're an avid NF reader, why? Convince me to become one!

Day 13

Twenty minutes left in today to write yet another post about a book. Am I allowed to say that I'm wearing thin coming in to this next section of the list? I feel like I blog about books all the time; heck I even have an entire label for nothing but books. But alas, I'm bound by the rules I place upon myself, here goes.

A fiction book

I've pigeonholed myself into answering with one response for each of these 30-day entries. I'm going to respond in the spirit of the challenge but mix things up just a bit -- I'm going to choose a genre of fiction to discuss. Don't worry about pointing out my inability to stick-to-it in deviating from my own rules--no one is more broken up about it than I am.

My dad and I share quite a bit in common--the list is long enough and deserving of its own post (note to self: Father's Day in June), but in the interest of today's topic, we shall discuss books. I'm not quite sure how it got started, but we're avid readers of the paperback thriller. The kind you read once, enjoy, and throw or give away. Six bucks for a couple hundred page escape into a slice-em-dice-em cop series, lawyer battle, or renegade vigilante (Jack Reacher, I'm looking at you); we're not too picky.

Books of this type are perfect for travel; they can be consumed on a cross-country flight and then left on a seat in the terminal and then written off on your taxes as donations. My dad used to travel a lot for work and said his only free reading time was on a plane. I've found myself flying the friendly skies infinitely more in the last few years and I understand the allure of the sit, read, be done. Heavy on plot, thin on literary elements. Now, anytime we're in each other's town books are exchanged and it's not uncommon for us to have already read the offered book. I can rarely go to Target or Costco and find a book whose cover I don't recognize because I've already read the book, but whose plot I can seriously not remember.

I'm the most squeamy, scairdy-cat person in real life. You'd be appalled at the grisly books I read--true, some are more graphic than others, but I so enjoy them all. It's one of the few areas of my life I have a hard time explaining the delta.


So if you're looking for a recommendation for some easy, light (ha!) reading, check out Harlan Coben (our favorite and actually not graphic murder books, just suspense), Lee Child (I promise you'll love ex-MP Jack Reacher and want to read all the books about him), and if you really are feeling grisly, James Patterson.

Now you can be done reading about books. Orange you glad I didn't say Count of Monte Cristo? (100 pages to go! One Harlan Coben, one James Patterson, and "The Help" finished in the meantime.) My other genre of books are those eventually made in to movies--and yes, the book IS generally better than the movie, but sometimes the book isn't all that good to begin with. In case you were wondering. You know.

Day 04

I can promise right now, this book is going to get big. Bigger than it is already anyway. Especially on the heels of the young adult series hysteria--because those housemoms are going to need some other jailbait teenagers to lust after now that the Twi/HP actors are old enough to vote.

Your favorite book

I don’t know that I can technically call this my favorite book—because I’m not even done reading it. And actually, I’m not even reading it, I’m listening to it. But this is most definitely “my favorite book I’ve ever listened to while running on the treadmill for such long periods of time the machine shuts down and kicks you off and you have to start it up again.” But that title was too long to write on the 30-day blogging list I presume.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins is A BOOK YOU SHOULD FIND AND READ. I’m practicing intense self discipline in only letting myself listen to the book when I’m on the treadmill—and the motivation to stay on the treadmill to hear more story is incredible.

I didn’t know a thing about this book when I started listening to it, except that every person I’d heard who’d read it loved it. In some ways, it’s kind of fun not having any idea what you’re getting into. So? To carry on that fun tradition, I’m not going to tell you what the book is about. (A quick search of the Google will fill you in on the details if you're so interested.) But I’m hoping this far into our relationship you trust my judgment and will do all you can to borrow, buy, or steal this book.

Get in before the craze gets too huge—the movie is coming out late next year and think how cool it’ll be to act all pretentious and patronizing when you’re standing in line for the midnight showing telling everyone you “knew about the books before they sold out and got all huge.” YOU WILL LOOK SO COOL.

I get my read on

Did I miss the memo that reading for enjoyment is taboo?

On two separate occasions this last weekend, I had to defend my activity. The first when it came to material, the latter on my method of procurement.

Now don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t reading light and fluffy fare that I’d be embarrassed to be caught seen reading outside the comfort of my own home. (There have been plenty of moments where that may or may not have been the case.)

There I was, sitting on the bus, chatting it up with two cute BU law students (because all BU law students are cute, right Whit?). Our conversation lulled, so I pulled out the copy of The Count of Monte Cristo I've been wading my way through (and procrastinating at times). Holy buckets. You should have seen the looks and heard the questions I fielded after that one. Yes, the book is long. No, it's not an assignment. Lemme check... it's 1124 pages. Yes, the type is small. This was the second nerdiest I've felt in my whole life... only because this happened a few days earlier.)

Then, not a day later, an eyebrow was raised when it was discovered my book was checked out from the public library. My casual response? "THIS IS WHAT MAKES ME CHARMING." Just like that. In all caps.

You are all aware of the fact I watch quite a bit of TV. But you may not know I also plow through books with reckless abandon and my roommate can attest to the time I spend lounging about reading. It's something in which I delight. And the library is an amazing, amazing place.

How happy I was this morning to see Jared buzzed this great great image:

credit: asofterworld.com

So. What's the longest book you've ever read for the sheer pleasure of entertainment? Do you have books you'd rather people didn't know you read? And wouldn't you agree that frequenting a public library is charming?

matchmaker, matchmaker

Yesterday, I flew home from Salt Lake on a relatively perfect flight. I was due, given my colorful experiences of the trip out of Boston--suffice it so say that I didn't realize I had such a strong affinity for my most frequent airline (Alaskan Airlines. That's right. Weird, huh?) until I had to take another.

I had my own row, a bag of pre-packed pistachios and chocolate covered pretzels, the book "March" by Geraldine Brooks (written by Pa Marsh [of Little Women fame] and his experiences during the Civil War while his family waited back in Concord). Oh yah, and Millionaire Matchmaker.

I didn't feel too bad tuning in to back-to-back episodes of this E! staple. It was a) my first time, b) I spent the commercials reading my book, c) it was an instant upgrade from the back-t0-back episodes I watched of Real Housewives of Orange County, d) I'd already played four rounds of inflight trivia (blast you BUBBA and IRA for always putting me in 2nd place!!) and e) Patty and Millionaire Matchmaker came up quite a few times on my trip to the Mountain West. Why? I don't know. Why am I writing a blog about this? I don't know that either.

But there I am, watching, kind of intrigued. Until I recognize one of the gals who gets chosen to go on one of the mini-dates with the Millionaire. I recognize her. No, it's not someone I knew, or someone I went to school with -- it's a girl I recognize from another dating show. (Dating in the Dark for those who are interested.)

Sigh. For all the reasons I don't have to name, because you already understand. Sigh.
BUT I'M STILL AWESOME.

Little Men

I'm having some mild writer's block. Stay tuned, I'll get it together eventually.

So, I finished reading "Little Men," Louisa May Alcott's sequel to her instant classic "Little Women" (perhaps my favorite post.) As much as I liked Mr Bhaer, I just can't get over wishing that Jo and Laurie ended up together. Does anyone else feel this way? Can anyone read those books and not think of Winona Rider and Christian Bale?

(On that note, does anyone take a break from vampire books to read old timey classics?)

This leads me to an interesting topic. Are there famous literary or television best friends you would have like to have ended up together? My other vote is for Veronica and Wallace from that hit show V. Mars.

Thanks for letting me get those off my chest.

A Night Not Wasted

Last night, I had one goal. Finish my book. Not a hard task considering my book is a very very very very fine book, but between work, family, sleep, and the Olympics coverage, I haven't found the 90 minutes needed to put the nail in the coffin and lay it to rest.

I decided to take a breather from the sucking-my-life-away Olympics (I just can't help how much I love them) and finish it once and for all.

The sisters had other plans.

We didn't go anywhere, we didn't do anything, we didn't even eat. In fact, we didn't even leave the house. Kendall and I sat and chatted about everything and nothing while we waited for Mallory to come home. After the grand arrival, we somehow migrated from the family room to the guest room. We talked, we giggled, we compared Wms vs Wood traits. We discovered that we each have oddities--the way I move my hands, the way Mal's nose moves when she speaks, and the fact that Kendall wants nothing more than to see our baby niece without any skin.

The night got later and later. Needless to say, my book didn't get finished. I'm not too broken up about it. And hey, if you don't have any sisters, go find some. Or borrow mine.

Little Women

I’m not the type who reads for emotion--I read for the story. I’m looking for plot over description; action over philosophy. I’ve always been this way; it’s how I plow through books so quickly and don’t do well in book clubs.

Because my joy resides in plot, I don’t read much into all the deconstructive actions taught in the classes I’ve taken. Can I pick themes to analyze, motives to dissect, and theories to critique? Of course I can. Do I choose to? Not unless a required 3-5 page paper looms over my semester’s grade. The books I read are still laden with literary elements worthy of discussion. It’s just not my cup of hobby tea.

(Clearly you feel the shift in this post coming, right? Classic method of writing; the historical set-up and then the shift that gives meat to the topic at hand.)

I purchased “Little Women” at Target several months ago but hadn’t found the time to join the millions of readers who have loved the March women since childhood. I’d seen the movie some years ago, and appreciated the visual framework laid by Winona, Claire, Kirsten, and Christian. The book is lengthy, and I’ve found myself on several bicoastal flights in the last few weeks.

Little Women is the party I’m devastated to be late to.

The book holds no major surprises if you’ve seen the movie. (Though to note, it’s been long enough since I’ve seen the movie that the central plot points were hazy in memory.) Where the book trumps the movie is where the heart lies, and that is not with the actual plot, but with the March sisters. Four girls, on the brink of maturation; relationships explored through the habits of daily living; textured with the joy and heartache caused by moving on and growing up.

A task no two-hour movie could ever hope to achieve.

Each character in the book has strength and goodness uniquely her own. In turn, she isn’t perfect—at times rash, cruel, or insensitive. Passionate yet flawed; able to hurt and be hurt. At heart, however, the reader always knew that “ a peaceful presence, invisible, but dearer than ever…could not break the household league that love made dissoluble.” Louisa May Alcott does a phenomenal job developing imperfectly loveable characters you can’t help but love perfectly.

And so it is with me.

Surely you know by now that I come from a family of four girls.

And surely you can understand why this book rocked my emotional core.

I cried when the eldest sister Meg left home to be married. I cried when Beth battled mysterious disease but carried on with a smile and grace that surpassed her years. I cried in the afterward describing how hard it must have been for Amy, the youngest, to caboose the order of such strong and differing personalities.

Mostly though, I cried for Jo, who wanted so desperately for time to freeze, and the dynamics of her nuclear family to stay the same; who for a time felt life happening around her, but never truly to her.

And the parents who ruled the roost were kind and just—they guided with firm but loving hands. Not as much is said about the March parents, but the qualities and “well-breeding” visible in each of the March sisters speaks volumes to who bore and raised these women. Their nature is implied with every movement each of the girls makes. Alcott spoke to my heart with the passage, (speaking of Jo) “…for the parents who had taught one child to meet death without fear, were trying now to teach another to accept life without despondency or distrust, and to use its beautiful opportunities with gratitude and power."

The Marches proved themselves to be a ‘league that love made dissoluble’. In time, Jo accepted the inevitable changes required of a household of sisters growing up. Of a little woman growing up. She accepted life without despondency or distrust. She created beautiful opportunities with gratitude and power. She learned to trust time.

I’m rediscovering my tender heart and learning to attach myself to characters in books.

Stoneybrook, CT Revisited

When I started this blog last April, I didn't have any designs on being famous. Fate had other plans.

You may remember my post about The Babysitter's Club. If you don't, never fear--I merely compared myself to each of the BSC members; all because I got my bangs cut and decided I looked like Dawn.

A random post from a randomer thinker, right?

Well get this. Last week I received a comment from a Columbia Journalism student. She was writing an article on the impact the BSC books had on 20-30 year olds who still have fond memories of the characters and books and wanted to know if she could interview me.

Hot dog! Why not.

We arranged a time for a phone interview and so last night, as I was perusing the aisles at the grocery store, Melissa and I had a fairly in-depth conversation about the Babysitter's Club books. Who knew?

My favorite question she asked was, "Did you think it at all strange that you had a completely random memory association without having picked up a book in 15 years?" I honestly had to tell her no. My mind works in the strangest ways (ya'll should know that by now!) and I've learned to take the random curveballs my brain sends me and hit them out of the park.

Questions ranged from, "When did you start reading the books?" to "Did you start at the beginning?" "Are there any characters you strongly dislike?" and "Did your recalling the BSC entice you to reach out to the network of fan clubs and forums dedicated to the Babysitter's Club?"

Did you know there are online role playing games you can play with the BSC members? Players take the Sitters into high school and beyond. Claudia has a baby and Kristy is on drugs. Creepy strange. And slightly disturbing.

Melissa will now write her article and send it out over the Columbia news wire, which is an affiliate of the New York Times. 400 editors will have the chance to pick it up; she said a half-dozen or so probably would. Editors love quirky--and this could be a big hit with Connecticut papers. I asked her to keep me updated on where she gets printed.

So let this be a lesson friends. Posting about the randomest of things can bring about the randomest of requests. Blogs are the podium for grass-roots experts to share what they know in an open forum. Stay tuned for my next post on quantum physics...

In Celebration

My world has not stopped celebrating since I found employment. Por ejemplo:

1. I burned through a solid chunk of my anytime minutes telling my mom, dad, sister, grandma, aunt, and anyone else who wanted to listen about the good news. You'd think I was Italian with all this familial involvement.

2. My roommate Cheryl and her fiancee William took me to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner last night. There, I overindulged on Diet Cherry Coke, Chicken somethingorother, potatoes, broccoli, and a ginormous piece of carrot cake to go.

3. Celebration commenced at the house where Marie, Preston, Kylee, Tim, and Jared had just arrived. We decided to watch a movie.

4. Spontaneous dancing ensued after the movie. (I guess it was Step Up! so what can you expect?)

5. Arriving home at 1AM, I decided to give one of my besties Stephanie a call. Somehow we filled 2.5 hours of conversation. I guess that shouldn't be so surprising since I used to talk to that girl an hour or more at work everyday.

6. THEN, (I know this is super exciting people, control your enthusiasm), I had to finish the book I was reading Judge and Jury by James Patterson. It's fantastic! And super scary to be reading about an Italian mobster on the loose at 5AM.

By the time I was done, the time was 6:04AM EST. The neighbor's car was on warming up, Cheryl was waking up to go to the gym, and the sky was getting light. No regrets from me though, proving I could spend my last free "I should have a job and be going there in the morning, gosh it's too late" night guilty-free.

My eyes opened at 12:17 PM EST and I celebrated by eating the giant piece of carrot cake and having a Diet Pepsi. In fact, I'm quite ready for another. Think I'll grab my next book and plop back into my bed while it's warm.

The Tale of Two Donuts

This morning, I bought two raised donuts with chocolate frosting. One for today, one for yesterday.

Typically, I wouldn't have time to spare before work (as I usually have a negative balance of minutes in the "getting to work on time" game), but this morning was different.

1. My alarm went off in the 7's. I hate the 7's. Natalie doesn't like 7's or use 7's. But today was different.
2. I pull into the DMV lot at 7:49 AM. No one is standing in line yet because it's 9 degrees outside. That's right, 9.
3. Finally, one person ventured from their car and the line grew pretty quickly. 9 degrees is pretty cold on bare hands trying to read James Patterson's book "The Lifeguard."
4. I attempt to get a 2-month registration extension. No dice. The max is 15 days, I still need my emissions and safety inspection, a duplicate title, and I'm down 200 bucks.

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!

The time is now 8:13 when I exit the glorious DMV. No time to go home and crumble back into bed for a catnap. So I drive my now 15-day extended registration car over to the Albertson's and buy two of the most delicious donuts you could ever imagine. And a 1/2 gallon of milk (they didn't have skim in the little jars). I felt delightfully white trash eating a donut and chugging out of a 1/2 gallon milk carton -- I was happy for every red light I hit.

So dear friends, it's now 8:59 AM. I'm on time for work and perfectly satisfied since I started the day. Here's hoping my after-work adventures are just as exciting as the pre-work windup. Cheerio.

OH for Pete's Sake

I really want to write a book.

But then I remembered I have neither a topic nor the organization to create... some people have it, some people don't.

ARgh. Guess I'll go back to reading.

New Best Feeling

Last night I discovered one of the newest, best feelings.

I went to the library branch near our house last night after work. As I wandered the aisles, my eyes on consta-scan, my gaze kept brushing books I've previously checked-out and read. I know and understand that I read an exorbitant amount, but I'd never had such a visual representation and validation of the books I've read.

Granted, the branch of our library isn't gynormously expansive, but it's still pretty good sized. I'm not going to lie, it was a really good feeling when I recognized why my eyes kept pausing on recognizable book jackets.

Let's mark for the record that being "into" music isn't the only hobby left on the block.

Busy Bee

Life's been pretty crazy lately. Not crazy drama crazy, but it's definitely keeping me busy. In the last few weeks, I feel like I've hardly had any "down time"--which isn't neccesarily a bad thing, but as someone who craves a soft bed and a good book as much as I do, never having a moment to myself can start to be taxing. But this isn't a post to moan and complain, but rather to celebrate the fact I have the opprotunity to be active!

Last night Michele called me on my drive home from work wanting to know if I was interested in dinner at my all-time favorite restaurant the Texas Roadhouse. Well how could I say no to that!? I met Mich, Krista, and Heidi out in Murray and we had a delicious meal and entertaining chatter. The movie "Take the Lead" was starting at the movie theater immediately following dinner, so we enjoyed the finest dollar theater Taylorsville has to offer. Upon arrival home we had to practice the dance moves we'd seen on the big screen, so our living room became a makeshift dancefloor for cha-cha, rumba, and some good old fashioned urban hip-hop. It was another quasi-late night as we stayed awake chatting and planning for the prom.

Prom? Yeah, that's right. We're hosting a prom on Saturday July 8th. Location is TBA--and that's what's holding us back at this point. It looks like our best option might be my sister's clubhouse; and I'm pretty excited about that option.

I was filling out my calendar at work this morning and this is what's coming in the next four weeks: Ward Temple Night, Michele's birthday and ensuing activities, Kendall's surgery, possible boating this weekend in Pocatello, camping over the 4th of July, Prom 2006: Last Chance for Summer Romance, Las Vegas for the Dashboard/Ben Lee show with friends, trip to Portland/Seaside with my immediate family, and Krista's birthday. I'm tired thinking about it!

But it's lunchtime at work now and speaking of busy... I'm going to wash my car, get my eyebrows waxed, and maybe get something to eat. Buzzzzzzz.