Obama

On Saturday I went down to the Obama rally with group of friends from work. My mom decided to join us. It was an amazing day. When we got through security, a gentleman asked my friend Steph if she was alone. A little weirded out, she looked at me and said no. The guy then informs us he is not a stalker but wants to know if we want to sit on the bleachers behind Obama. We totally agreed to this. We got to see everything up close and personal. It was very exciting. Then after he spoke, Obama went around and shook hands. And we all got to shake hands with Obama while informing him that we were all librarians who were voting Obama. Hee! Then Obama reaches in and tells my coworker Skye that she has the prettiest eyes he's seen. Obama's a flirt.

All around great day. Check out some of the pics from my flickr account. More images to come when I get pictures from the group.

Ch-ch-changes

I've decided to resume the old discarded dots template. I kind of missed the dots and I was ready for something different to look at all the time. Enjoy!

Oh Stephen!

Hee!

Meg Cabot blurbing

I've read two more books this week. Both books happened to be my beloved, fellow IU grad Meg Cabot. I've know about these books for a while but since I can whiz through a Meg Cabot book in a day, generally speaking, I've held off reading them as to savor them for the future. Anyway, I got tired of waiting so...

Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot: Heather Wells. Former teen popstar cum Asst. Residence Hall Director. Girls dying in res halls and now someone is after Heather. Will hottie Cooper figure it out?












Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot: Severed head in a pot in the caf. Drug dealers. Cooper is still cute.










Looking forward to reading Big Boned when it arrives from MOBIUS.


Books Read in 2008:

Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot
Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot
Thumbsucker: A Novel by Walter Kirn
The Off Season by Catherine Murdock
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Love Walked In by Marisa de Los Santos
Belong to Me by Marisa de Los Santos
Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
Queen of Swords by Sara Donati
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Airhead by Meg Cabot
Meridon by Philippa Gregory
The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory
Wideacre by Philippa Gregory
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart
Stowaway by Karen Hesse
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart.
Spike: Asylum by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru

Debate Day 2008

I saw John Oliver twice today. So freaking awesome.

Book blurbing again

I kind of like summing up books in a few words. I think it's because I am lazy. So, here's some of the stuff I've read recently.

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins: Big thumbs + hitchhiking + Lesbian cowgirls = A book Sarah Palin would try to ban. Funny and strange but a great read.










Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock: Recommended by Marissa. Cows and football and training. Breaking barriers both socially and with a Romeo/Juliet thang. Perfect for my neice.











The Off Season by Catherine Murdock: More about the life of D.J. So, more football and also, family angst. I hope there is another book in this series.











Thumbsucker: A Novel by Walter Kirn: Ritalin filled teen angst also imbued with Mormonism. A quick and fascinating read. Cannot wait for the book club.







Books Read in 2008:

Thumbsucker: A Novel by Walter Kirn
The Off Season by Catherine Murdock
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Love Walked In by Marisa de Los Santos
Belong to Me by Marisa de Los Santos
Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
Queen of Swords by Sara Donati
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Airhead by Meg Cabot
Meridon by Philippa Gregory
The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory
Wideacre by Philippa Gregory
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart
Stowaway by Karen Hesse
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart.
Spike: Asylum by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru

I love ya tomorrow?

Tomorrow night the place where I work is hosting a thing that is kind of important to a few people in America. I don't care what your politics are (well, I do but that's a different post) whether you like elephants or donkeys or hammers and sickles; it's been fun to be at a place to is so energized and excited about an event.

I am looking forward to and also dreading tomorrow. I mean, it's pretty cool to have my campus be the host for something the nation will be tuned to. The flip side of that coin is well, all the practical stuff that you have to deal with. I mean, I am glad I take the train to work because parking is going to be (and already is) a bitch. Plus, eating on campus is going to be a nightmare. Also, if you don't have your id they make you turn around and leave...hey, I smell a vacation day.

I didn't get carded today but I did get tell a member of the media (if you consider a make-up artist for Access Hollywood media) where the media credentials building was. So, that is something but I think the deluge will be in full force tomorrow.

I plan on packing the camera and I hope to get some awesome pictures. If I do, I will post them.

I do love me some Sarah Silverman

Sweet Jesus, this is funny. Language NSFW, unless you gots some headphones.


The Great Schlep

Religulous: The Trailer

I love Bill Maher. LOVE HIM. I cannot wait to see this film.

22% Gay, musically that is

According to Out Magazine, the following albums are the 100 Greatest, Gayest Albums of All Time (thanks to Perez for posting this). The albums were chosen by polling "more than 100 actors, comedians, musicians, writers, critics, performance artists, label reps, and DJs, asking each to list the 10 albums that left the most indelible impressions on their lives." I wonder how many of these I own (mine will be bolded)?

1. David Bowie, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars,
2. The Smiths, The Smiths, 1984
3. Tracy Chapman, Tracy Chapman, 1988
4. Indigo Girls, Indigo Girls, 1989
5. Judy Garland, Judy at Carnegie Hall, 1961
6. The Smiths, The Queen is Dead, 1986
7. Elton John, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 1973
8. Madonna, The Immaculate Collection, 1990
9. Cyndi Lauper, She's So Unusual, 1983
10. Antony and the Johnsons, I Am A Bird Now, 2005
11. Various artists, Hedwig and the Angry Inch soundtrack, 2001
12. The Velvet Underground & Nico, The Velvet Underground & Nico, 1967
13. Ani DiFranco, Dilate, 1996
14. Erasure, The Innocents, 1988
15. George Michael, Faith, 1987
16. Queen, A Night at the Opera, 1975
17. Lou Reed, Transformer, 1972
18. George Michael, Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. I, 1990
19. The B-52s, The B-52's, 1979
20. Queen, A Day at the Races, 1976
21. David Bowie, Hunky Dory, 1971
22. The Gossip, Standing in the Way of Control, 2006
23. Deee-Lite, World Clique, 1990
24. Sylvester, Living Proof, 1979
25. k.d. lang, Ingénue, 1992
26. Scissor Sisters, Scissor Sisters, 2004
27. Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), 1983
28. Queen, The Game, 1980
29. Pet Shop Boys, Actually, 1987
30. Diana Ross, Diana, 1980
31. Sarah McLachlan, Fumbling Towards Ecstacy, 1993
32. The Smiths, Meat Is Murder, 1985
33. The Smiths, Hatful of Hollow, 1984
34. Donna Summer, Bad Girls, 1979
35. Yaz, Upstairs at Eric's, 1982
36. Madonna, Erotica, 1992
37. Blondie, Parallel Lines, 1978
38. Dusty Springfield, Dusty in Memphis, 1969
39. Laura Nyro and Labelle, Gonna Take A Miracle, 1971
40. Pet Shop Boys, Behavior, 1990
41. Melissa Etheridge, Yes I Am, 1993
42. ABBA, Gold, 1992
43. Prince, Purple Rain, 1984
44. Pet Shop Boys, Very, 1993
45. Bikini Kill, Pussy Whipped, 1993
46. Madonna, Ray of Light, 1998
47. The Magnetic Fields, 69 Love Songs, 1999
48. Cris Williamson, The Changer and the Changed, 1975
49. Patti Smith, Horses, 1975
50. Rufus Wainwright, Poses, 2001
51. Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Welcome to the Pleasuredome, 1984
52. Kate Bush, Hounds of Love, 1985
53. Culture Club, Colour by Numbers, 1983
54. Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes, 1992
55. David Bowie, Diamond Dogs, 1974
56. Team Dresch, Personal Best, 1994
57. Prince, Dirty Mind, 1980
58. Liz Phair, Exile in Guyville, 1993
59. Bronski Beat, The Age of Consent, 1984
60. R.E.M., Automatic for the People, 1992
61. Sleater-Kinney, Dig Me Out, 1997
62. Jeff Buckley, Grace, 1994
63. Björk, Debut, 1993
64. Patti Smith, Easter, 1978
65. Le Tigre, Le Tigre, 1999
66. Soft Cell, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, 1981
67. Hüsker Dü, Candy Apple Grey, 1986
68. Nirvana, Nevermind, 1991
69. Frances Faye, Caught in the Act, 1959
70. Rent original Broadway cast, Rent, 1996
71. Elton John, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, 1975
72. Donna Summer, Once Upon a Time, 1977
73. Various artists, Fame soundtrack, 1980
74. Michael Jackson, Off the Wall, 1979
75. Carole King, Tapestry, 1971
76. Ani DiFranco, Imperfectly, 1992
77. New Order, Substance, 1987
78. Various artists, The Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack, 1975
79. T. Rex, Electric Warrior, 1971
80. Rufus Wainwright, Want One, 2003
81. Scissor Sisters, Ta-Dah, 2006
82. Cher, Believe, 1998
83. Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M, 1972
84. Cyndi Lauper, True Colors, 1986
85. Nina Simone, Anthology, 2003
86. Madonna, Madonna, 1983
87. Madonna , Confessions on a Dance Floor, 2005
88. Hüsker Dü, Zen Arcade, 1984
89. Fifth Column, To Sir With Hate, 1986
90. Kate Bush, The Kick Inside, 1978
91. Grace Jones, Nightclubbing, 1981
92. Morrissey, Viva Hate, 1988
93. Sade, Lovers Rock, 2000
94. Hair original Broadway cast, Hair, 1968
95. Culture Club, Kissing to Be Clever, 1982
96. Nick Drake, Bryter Layter, 1970
97. Janis Ian, Between the Lines, 1975
98. Ferron, Testimony, 1980
99. Joni Mitchell, For the Roses, 1972
100. The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

I heart Matt Damon

I know, I know. Actors should stick to acting. Whatever. They are American citizens like the rest of us so he's entitled to his opinion. Which, of course, I agree with. Matt Damon, you rule.

Review: Zune Car Pack v2

Ever since Bill sent me my Zune last November I have been accumulating Zune accessories. This summer I decided to purchase the Zune Car Pack v2 (the v2 part is very important). I was going to write a review back in July but I am glad I waited until I went on a trip to Chicago before writing this up.

So, the car pack hooks into your car lighter and uses a radio station to play your Zune. One of the best features of the car pack is that it also charges your Zune while it plays in your car. The product is fairly attractive looking. The part that hooks into your lighter lights up with the Zune logo when it's plugged in. The transmitter has large, easy to read numbers and it glows so that is useful in the dark.

The car pack's reception can be spotty. Depending on where I am in the city, I have a few stations that I scroll through. Once you get on the highway, the car pack has amazing sound quality. But one of the things I like the least about the car pack is that I have to have skin contact on the transmitter or else the reception can get spotty.

I got the car pack used for a deal on Amazon. I think it's every bit worth the $25 I paid but I am not sure I would be as happy with the product if I had paid full price. Because I got it used I didn't get the pad that holds the Zune and transmitter in place but the Zune fits perfectly in the slot next to my shifter.

I guess the greatest feature of this is that I get all the music on my Zune with me in the car. And that's great since I've been buying almost all of my music via the marketplace.

Overall, I would give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Things that annoy me about the train

I ride the train to work pretty much everyday now unless something unusual like a doctor's appointment is going on. Honestly, I love riding the train because I generally get 30 minutes of reading time or music listening time or just thinking and staring out the window time. However, there are several things that really annoy me about the train. Here they are:

1. I hate the ticket checker guy who tells me to smile in the morning. As though I must be in a bad mood since I am not smiling rather than I am simply not totally awake yet. Why do people assume that because you aren't smiling that you must be in a bad mood. Maybe I am working out the problem of energy dependence in my head. Anyway, it makes me want to punch him when he says, "Smile. It's not that bad." Fuck off, dude.

2. People should not have inappropriate conversations about their personal lives on cell phones on the train. Yesterday morning I had to listen to this woman talk on and on about her impending divorce. I even put my Zune on and I guess that was her cue to talk louder because I could still hear her over the music.

2b. People should talk at a normal or below normal level on the train. I don't care about your dog, your car, your job, your opinion on the Cardinals, whatever. Either talk like a polite human being sharing a public space or shut the hell up.

3. People need to learn to share. Your bag? It does not need it's own seat, especially when it's a Target bag containing your lunch. It's seat can be your lap, asshole.

4. Teenagers who feel the need to touch you. Some girl was touching my hair the other day on the train. When I turned to ask her to stop, she acted like I was the inappropriate one. But my look of death stopped her from touching my hair again.

5. PDA. Seriously. No one on the train wants to watch you make out.

Fall TV Preview

Beth might be the only person who care about this but here's my fall tv lineup.

Sunday:

8pm: Dexter
9pm: Brothers and Sisters
9pm: Mad Men (which I have been watching all summer and it should end soon)
9pm: Skins (been watching for 5 weeks now)

Monday:

7pm: Chuck (watching it on Hulu)
7:30pm: How I Met Your Mother
8pm: Heroes
9pm: Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein

Tuesday:

8pm: Fringe
9pm: Eli Stone

Wednesday:

7pm: Bones (watching it on Hulu)
7pm: Pushing Daisies
8pm: Project Runway
9pm: Top Design

Thursday:

7pm: Ugly Betty
8pm: The Office/30 Rock
9pm: Burn Notice (again been watching it all summer and it ends soon)
9pm: Tabitha's Salon Takeover

Friday:

7pm: Crusoe
9pm: Life


Honestly though, I am more excited for January when I get BSG, Lost, and Dollhouse. JOSS WHEDON!

10 words or less

I have several books to cover but I don't really feel like doing the whole write up thing. So, I am going to try my hand at some blurbing.


Queen of Babble Gets Hitched: Meg! Cabot! Fun but predictable.













Persuasion: British snobbery + Thwarted love x Time = Happy ending.












The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks: Co-ed Boarding school. Girl power. Hijinks ensue.











The Hotel New Hampshire: Viennese fairytale. Bears. Get obsessed and stay obsessed.











Northanger Abbey:Gothic themes. Bad Thorpe family. Cruel fathers. Love prevails.











Books Read in 2008:

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Love Walked In by Marisa de Los Santos
Belong to Me by Marisa de Los Santos
Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
Queen of Swords by Sara Donati
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Airhead by Meg Cabot
Meridon by Philippa Gregory
The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory
Wideacre by Philippa Gregory
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart
Stowaway by Karen Hesse
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart.
Spike: Asylum by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru

This glass is half full of anger

So, I really need to vent. I mean big time vent. About a couple of things actually. So, first things first. I had been driving around on expired plates because the state of Missouri forgot to send me a reminder that my plates were expired. I don't check my plates too regularly so I kind of depend on the state to remind me of such things. And you know, you think they would remind you as they like to take my money as it is. Anyway, I went and jumped through all the hoops that one has to jump through to get a new sticker. And last Saturday I went to the DMV to get my sticker. Only, the incompetent fools at the DMV couldn't fucking figure it out. They say I am not in the system; they don't believe I even have Missouri plates even when I show them the receipt for said plates from last year. They tell me that THEY MUST SPEAK TO SOMEONE AT THE CAPITOL and that I need to come back during the week. Fine. Am I pissed? Yes, but at this point I've only been to the DMV once, as opposed the five times I had to go last year due to incompetence on their part, so I resolve to go back on Thursday (today) when I am on vacation.

Okay, so then part two factors in. I have a whole host of new neighbors. The one thing I like about my complex is the off street parking. But now that we have 2 couples living in the building we have six cars and five spots. I think you can see where I am going here. So, I call my landlord to ask is it supposed to be first come first serve or do we say that each apartment gets a spot and the multiple cars rotate in the extra spot. Well, apparently the "fair" thing according to the landlord is first come first serve. Which, I am sorry is bullshit. I think each apartment should have a spot. Anyway, I come home last night to find that one of my new neighbors has decided to park like a fucking moron and take up two spots. So, I had to park on the street for the first time since I have moved here. I was (am) fucking pissed. So, this morning I walk out to my car to find two tickets waiting for me. One for expired plates (valid but onlybecause the DMV sucks) and one for an invalid inspection (which is bullshit and I am fighting).

So, I get in my car and head to the DMV and I am already livid at getting these tickets which I would not have gotten had the bitch downstairs fucking parked straight. At the DMV, I end up with the same girl I had on Saturday. I remind her about Saturday and she starts the process. Only guess what? She actually didn't have to call Jeff City. She just gives me new plates (because Missouri redesigned their plates). So, at this point I fucking lose it. I mean I LOSE IT. I turn to this idiot and ask her why she couldn't have just given me plates on Saturday. And she gives me some bullshit about being new. Then I tell her that thanks to her being a fucking moron I got two tickets and I ask if she wants to pay for them. She declines. So, fine I leave with my plates and tell her that the DMV needs to get it's head out of it's ass.

But I feel a little bad. Like that girl probably did not deserve my anger directly pointed at her. But my god. I am just so angry. I want to fucking punch something. Or better yet. I want to go shoot my new gun. Actually, that's not a bad idea. If only I had time for that today.

Breaking Dawn

So, I just finished reading the final saga of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn. Like Marissa, I have to say Huh? It's just not really at all what I thought the final chapter would be. Not that I really knew what I thought it would be. It just wasn't exactly what Meyer came up with for us.

Anyway, I won't give away any of the details because I think think there are plenty of you who read this blog who have yet to read the book. I will just say this...I think that Edward is in many ways redeemed and looks much less controlling and overbearing in this book than he is in the previous works of the series. For that I say thank you because there were times when I did wonder why Bella would be with such a guy.

Overall, I liked the series. For those who make Harry Potter comparisons well, I don't think that really possible (because Harry Potter will win this battle). So, people stop doing that.

Books Read in 2008:

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Love Walked In by Marisa de Los Santos
Belong to Me by Marisa de Los Santos
Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
Queen of Swords by Sara Donati
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Airhead by Meg Cabot
Meridon by Philippa Gregory
The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory
Wideacre by Philippa Gregory
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart
Stowaway by Karen Hesse
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart.
Spike: Asylum by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru

Reading stuff

I know I have been super lax about posting. I've just been so tired lately. Anyway, here I am to post about some books I've read in the last couple of months.

I actually read Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips back in May but I must have forgotten to blog about it because I only realized it after I saw it in Beth's list. Anyway, I think this book was an interesting twist on what might happen were the Gods of Olympus still alive and actually in power. I will say that sometimes I thought the book would lag a bit but overall I thought it was a pretty great book. Anyone who loves mythology will enjoy this book.



I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by the cover but after seing this cover I just had to read the book. I think it's because I really want a pair of rain boots. Anyway, Belong to Me by Marisa de Los Santos is the story of Teo and Cornelia. This couple moves to the burbs to start fresh but finds that their many problems both known and unknown follow them to the burbs.

I thought this book was a really great story and it totally sucked me in. I this that all the characters were fleshed out in amazing and wonderful ways. And the twist near the end I really didn't get until the last possible second. I highly recommend this book.

After reading Belong to Me I realized that Love Walked In by Marisa de Los Santos was the first book in the story. So, I went back to read that book. Although I knew how some of this would end up I did enjoy reading the journey of how we get to Belong to Me. I found this book to be just as compelling as Belong to Me but I suggest to you all that you read them in order. Things will make a lot more sense that way.



Finally, for my book club we read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. This book was amazing. I mean truly amazing. If you don't know the story, well, this is the story of a what happens when Randall McMurphy enters the world of Nurse Ratched's ward in the mental hospital. Told from the point of view of Cheif Bromden, the thought to be deaf and dumb Indian, this book is easily one of the greatest pieces of writing of the 20th century. I couldn't stop thinking about this book and about these characters and about how they all end up.

In book club, we also watch the movies that are based on the books. And while I know that the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest won awards, etc. it is a pale version of the book. Take time to read this book, you won't be sorry.


Books Read in 2008:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Love Walked In by Marisa de Los Santos
Belong to Me by Marisa de Los Santos
Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
Queen of Swords by Sara Donati
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Airhead by Meg Cabot
Meridon by Philippa Gregory
The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory
Wideacre by Philippa Gregory
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart
Stowaway by Karen Hesse
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart.
Spike: Asylum by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru

37 Things Meme

For B-Mart

37 "Odd" Things About Me

1. Do you like blue cheese?

No. I think it's gross. I know cheese is mold but it's another thing to actually see the mold.

2. Have you ever smoked?

A few times mostly when alcohol is involved.

3. Do you own a gun?

Funnily enough, I just got a gun yesterday. Honestly, I am not sure I am completely comfortable about the whole thing. But still, it's kind of a pretty gun.

4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite?

Cherry. Always Cherry.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?

Only when it involves a speculum.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?

I think they are best eaten at the ball park.

7. Favorite Christmas movie?

It's not really a Christmas movie per se but for some reason the local stations would always play The Sound of Music at Christmas. So, the hills are alive, bitches.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?

It depends on if it's warm or cold. Warm: ice water. Cold: hot tea.

9. Can you do push ups?

Yes.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?

It's a toss up between my amethyst ring I got for my 13th birthday and my Hand of Fatima necklace (that I turned into my arm tattoo).

11. Favorite hobby?

Reading with watching television at a very, very close second.

12. Do you have A.D.D.?

Nope.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts?

Yes and yes. Thanks parental units for my awful eyes.

14. Middle name?

I can't tell you that because you might try to steal my identity.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?

On Spooks: Ruth should really date Harry. They are so cute together. I need to take a shower and I think I will wear pigtails today.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?

Water, Pepsi, milk. But I am not Laverne and I don't mix the pepsi and milk.

17. Current worry?

Will I get all my work stuff taken care of before going away for Girl's Weekend?

18. Current hate right now?

My dirty apartment.

19. Favorite place to be?

I don't know that I have a favorite place to be. I mostly care about who I am with at the time.

20. How did you bring in the new year?

I honestly do not remember. Wow. That is just sad.

21. Where would you like to go?

Many, many places. I want to go to France, Spain, England, Scotland, Australia, and back to Montreal.

22. Name three people who will complete this?

GMYH but he'll parody it. And, uh others?

23. Do you own slippers?

Of course. Don't you?

24. What shirt are you wearing?

I am wearing an orange tanktop.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?

Not particularly. It always felt strange to me.

26. Can you whistle?

Nope. Never have been able to.

27. Favorite color?

Turqouise.

28. Would you be a pirate?

Arrgh you kidding? Hells yes.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?

If I told you I would have to kill you.

30. Favorite Girl's Name?

Look, I don't like attempts for people to try to steal my potential baby names. Haven't you ever seen Seinfeld?

31. Favorite boy's name?

See above.

32. What's in your pocket right now?

I have no pockets on me right now.

33. Last thing that made you laugh?

The Soup with Joel McHale. Hee.

34. What vehicle do you drive?

My blue Mazda3.

35. Worst injury you've ever had?

Uh, well, I have had several sprained ankles and also a few concussions. But it was mostly likely the concussion/ankle slicing combo of the first accident I was in and had to spend a few weeks on crutches.

36. Do you love where you live?

Generally speaking, yes. Although I don't really know all my new neighbors so we shall see.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house?

Just one and I am kind of proud of that.

ZOMG! W00t!

It sounds like the WB is finally going to release Everwood season two on dvd. My heart is filled with joy at this news. And at the same time I am wondering when they will give us seasons three and four so I can stop worrying about my tivo crashing everytime we have a storm. Yes, I am so obsessed that I have season four saved on my tivo. Yes, I know the show has been off the air for two years now. In case, you all didn't know; I really love the show Everwood.

And speaking of Everwood...two very important Everwood things. One, when the WB online (I'm an early adopter and I get email updates) launches next month they will have all the episodes of Everwood online. No more excuses, Beth. This delights to me to no end as you can imagine. Second, Sarah Drew (aka Hannah on Everwood) showed up on Sunday night's Mad Men as Sal's (the closeted gay man) wife. Oh man, I hope this means that Sarah Drew will get an interesting story line.

On being anemic

Hello dear readers,

It's been a while, no? I know you all have just been pining for my wit and words. Ha. So, I have a reason being gone. I won't go into all the gory details but due to some female issues I became anemic. And being anemic. It. Sucks. I mean it really sucks. It feels like it sucks the life out of you; that's how much it sucks. I was tired all the time. Like coming home from work and going directly to bed. Like wanting to sleep all day and all night long. And then when you do wake up all you want to do is eat steak. Or at least that's what I wanted to do.

Luckily for me, I have a good doctor. A sick day of sleeping, some iron pills, red meat and lots of broccoli later, I am feeling much, much better. I still feel myself dragging along throughout the day and around 7pm but it's such a vast improvement from what was that I am not going to complain.

Alas, I have much to tell you about so hopefully you will be getting several posts this week.

Cheers,

Jalehlabad

Some things I read in June and early July

Queen of Swords by Sara Donati is the latest in the five book saga of the Bonner family. Queen of Swords takes place in the unlikely spot of New Orleans during the War of 1812. Unlike the previous books, the focus is not on Elizabeth and Nathaniel but on Hannah, Luke and Jennet. In New Orleans Hannah, Luke, and Jennet encouter evil the likes they have never seen before.

I will say that this series has left me disappointed at times but this book comes closest to capturing the magic of the first book but it still falls a little short. Sara Donati is no Diana Gabaldon but for some reason I feel compelled to read all the books and the promised books to come in the series.

I recently purchased and then very quickly read Maureen Johnson's new book Suite Scarlett. I recently thought that the book Girl at Sea was my favorite book by Johnson but it's now been supplanted by Scarlett. The story is this: Scarlett is a member of the Martin family and her family owns a sort of run down hotel in New York City. In the Martin family, each child gets assigned a suite in the Hopewell Hotel that is theirs to care for. Scarlett gets assigned the grandest suite of all, the Empire Suite. And just as Scarlett starts to think her summer is going to be boring the Empire Suite gets a guest in the form of the incredibly wealthy Mrs. Amberson. Also, I can't wait for the sequel. What will happen with Scarlett and her crazy family?

So, I can now say that I have finally read Jane Austen's masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice. I am not sure what I can say about this book in a paragraph or two that hasn't already been said over the years since this book was first published. But, I will say that the book was everything I hoped it would be. And even though, thanks to the television adaptations, I knew what would happen I really loved every bit of it. And now, I am more than ready to rewatch the six hours of Colin Firth as Darcy.



Books Read in 2008:

Queen of Swords by Sara Donati
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Airhead by Meg Cabot
Meridon by Philippa Gregory
The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory
Wideacre by Philippa Gregory
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart
Stowaway by Karen Hesse
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart.
Spike: Asylum by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru

For the first time ever...

I am sad I couldn't make it to the ALA Annual meeting. Because if I had made it to ALA, I would have stood in line all day just to meet John Green and have him tell me I am made of awesome. Of course, I probably would have acted like a crazy stalker and made him uncomfortable but I would have gotten a picture and it would have been my screen saver and I most likely would have asked to meet me for a beer. Alas, none of that happened. Maybe next year. Beth, do you think we could handle that?



I am however, off to Bloomington for the first time since I moved to STL. I can hardly believe it's been 2.5 years since I have been to that beloved, home of Meg Cabot and the Indiana Hoosiers, town. I am so excited that I just don't know what to do first. Nicks? Kilroys? Upstairs? Blue Bird? Rockits? Samira? The Lion? DO YOU SEE MY DILEMMA?!?!?!

I hope you all have a very fun and safe July 4th.

Psych

It's just a little more than two weeks before new Psych episodes come back to my tivo. I usually fast forward through commercials but when I saw the new promo for Psych I stopped to watch and cracked up. I hope you enjoy this too and I know B-Mart will for sure!

Joss, NPH, and Nathan

Here's a trailer for the anticipated by me, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Can't wait!


Teaser from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog on Vimeo.

Picture time

For B-Mart:

Well, I finally bought a camera. Actually, I got it about two weeks ago and really haven't found time to play with it until recently. Last week, I took my niece to the Botanical Gardens with my friend Angie and her daughter. It was hot and humid but a lot of fun. Anyway, if you want to see some pictures, check out my new flickr account.

Airhead

Over the weekend, and before wrapping the book for my niece's birthday present, I read Meg Cabot's new book, Airhead.

I don't want to give away the details of the book because it's got quite a twist but I can tell you this: Emerson Watts is secretly crushing on her best friend, Christopher. And she's got an annoying little sister. When Em's mom makes her take Little Sis to the Stark Megastore to meet Gabriel Luna, Em's life changes forever.

I liked this book as much as I've liked every other Meg Cabot book I've read. Can't wait for the sequel.

Books Read in 2008:

Airhead by Meg Cabot
Meridon by Philippa Gregory
The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory
Wideacre by Philippa Gregory
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart
Stowaway by Karen Hesse
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart.
Spike: Asylum by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru