Here is Samuel L. Jackson reading the newest in night time reading for toddlers, Go The F*ck to Sleep
Do NOT listen to this at work!
I've been told that one of Lucy's parents ordered this book for our collection. I want to know where he's going to hide it...
Showing posts with label I can read. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I can read. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Year in Review
Top events in 2010
Doug & Chelsey announce they are pregnant. Super excited for them! We don't share that we've started talking about the possibility of a family ourselves. Must make our own decision before we bring anyone into the loop.
Jason turns 40 A fun 70's themed party was held and the family and friends embraced the theme with gusto! Thanks to everyone who made the night memorable.
My friend Matt got married. He looked high and low for the perfect gal to compliment his witty and rather smart existence. After lots of dates with the wrong ladies he found someone who appreciates all the wonderful things about him. I miss his sarcastic side, but am thrilled he's happy. Wishing them many happy years together.
TP goes to traffic court. I got a speeding ticket that I deserved but wanted due process. I got it, and for $150 and a year of good driving record my insurance company will not be notified. (I have 7 weeks to go!). It was a bummer to have my 20+ years of clean record wiped away, but the law is the law. Speed (get caught) and you will pay.
TP's consulting company on the back burner, after being hired as a full time employee by her client. (Happy news!)
Sad news that an estranged friend died suddenly at age 43. My heart is broken for her family and am sending lots of love and good wishes to them over the holidays and always.
Installed a heat pump (air conditioner) in our house. Jason is delighted and I'm convinced the weather will never again be warm enough to need it now that we invested in it.
Discussions about a baby kick into high gear. "Maybe we should take down the firewall and see what happens".
Fun visit to friends in Portland and the craziness with their kids (a busy 4 year old) don't scare us... in fact. We stop using the "firewall" (nerd speak for birth control.)
Holy Shit - We're pregnant.
Long Beach for 4th of July! Fireworks and friends.
Long weekend to Yosemite. Damn, tis HOT there in July.
Last Train to Clarkston - camping for a week on the Snake river. Happy to get color on my skin and hang out with Jason's friends who are now my people too!
Wine Tasting Weekend In Walla Walla with Becky and her cute hubby. The being pregnant thing stopped the wine tasting but we had a pool at our hotel. It was perfect!
Jordan is born! Welcome to our world, nice to meet you sweet little monkey!
Labor Day in Vegas with my sweetie. Turns out my hair looks fabulous in 114 degree heat. Maybe a move to Arizona is in order... NOT.
1 Year Wedding Anniversary - weekend road trip along California's northern coast. SF, Santa Cruz, Monterrey. I'm still quite pleased with my fella!
It's official - We're having a girl. Happy tears.
In Denver for Mrs. B's 80th birthday party. She's amazing.
A rainy and wonderful weekend with my girlfriends at the Lake Quinault Lodge near Forks. No vampire sightings.
A snowy getaway with the book group to Leavenworth. (Jason puts up x-mas lights and does secret holiday shopping for my gifts. lucky me.)
Thanksgiving with the cousins. How fabulous not to have to cook!
Christmas with the family. Missed Mom & Dad on Christmas but got to road trip to visit the following Monday. Happy!!!
Counting the weeks until Lucy arrives... We have 8 to go. tick tock
Friday, March 12, 2010
it was of course, wonderful!
Book group last night was delightful! We discussed the book for quite a while but there was a lot of catching up and some great lessons learned:1) If your nanny says or implies you are a bad mother it is A-OK to fire them!
2) You may, for a period of time, have to give up your dreams of a clean and tidy house while you are raising little people.
3) The appropriate answer to "Are you going to have kids?" can be "We had sex this morning so I'll give you a call in a month and let you know."
4) It is OK to cry when your 7 year old pops off with "Only daddies do hard work". Someday they will KNOW how hard it was to let them live through that moment.
5) When you are hard core pissed at your partner person try with all your might not to say things you can't take back. TRY!
6) If you can't go all in on the save the earth front, don't try at all. If you can't compost, buy locally, organic, walk or bike everywhere, and generate your own energy then F*ck It! Hummers for Everyone!
And, for the record. If our hostesses daughter starts using the f-bomb it wasn't me who dropped it TWICE in front of those sweet small ears!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Hmmm...
I've always been somewhat of a homebody. While I am a person of good humor there are times when social situations stress me out a bit. I've skipped my share of parties because I would know no one. I've also gone to wonderful events alone and mingled for an appropriate period of time and then scooted away gracefully.I have skipped events because I felt bad about myself, my size, my attitude and a lack of what I thought of as interesting conversation. "Yup, same job. Nope, not dating anyone. No exciting vacations taken or planned." These were the low moments because if you've been keeping up I've been to Italy, Spain (twice), Ireland, San Jose, California, and most recently Canada. My life has been far from boring.
In the past I've had my nose out of joint for not being invited to events because I didn't have a partner, but also not gone when invited. These moments where I've withdrawn don't happen too often anymore and I'm thankful about that. Backing out at the last minute with a lame excuse is transparent and makes it hard for your kind host(ess) to want to invite you back.
My bookgroup meeting is tonight and it should be great. The book has been completed, I have 'things' to bring up and even some gossip to share. However, I don't want to leave the house tonight. Maybe its the rain, maybe its the drive into town at 6pm, maybe it's my new life with Whatshisface.
I've been a part of this book group since the inception and have loved it from the beginning and while I only see these women infrequently outside of our meetings I really do value them and enjoy hearing about their lives. Over the last 15 years our membership has changed, and I miss many of the former members but I have to say the group we have currently is exciting. Sure, we're all liberal, white ladies in our late 30's and early 40's. We have similar hopes for our families, country, and world but we still manage to discuss the topics illuminated in the books we select in a fierce and passionate way. Seldom do we agree on everything, which makes for great discussions. (Ok, I'm totally talking myself into donning a warm sweater and leaving the house tonight.)
I find it disappointing that as much as I love this group, the idea to call in "sick" crossed my mind. What is wrong with me? Am I one of THOSE women who don't want to venture out without her man?
I use to give my one girlfriend a ton of flack for never wanting to go out with me alone after she got married. I was wrong. (Did you hear that? I'm saying I was wrong!) She was only trying to bring her two worlds together. Her happy married world and the remainder (me) of her single life. Now, all these years later I respect and enjoy the time I spend with her and her husband. I also value the moments we find to have girl talk, but recognize that in our busy lives if we're not together as a group we likely won't be together.
I plan group events (meaning that I'll be there with my fella) and try to keep the "just girls" stuff to weekday lunches or very planned ahead. It's only been 6 months - maybe after I've been married a while we'll venture out on weekends on separate activities, but I kind of doubt it. Becky & Brett have been married for almost 15 years and they still prefer to hang out together. I happily signed on to be a duo, and will be a duo as much as possible.
However, I will still fight for the all girls weekend away - because they are wonderful! And when our book group again plans an outing I will go. (I had to back out last time because of the whole house hunting situation.) I will go tonight and I will love it - but I want credit for leaving my cozy house on a icky rainy day.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Give it away
In my quest to finish the work so my tax accountant can do major math I am in the process of entering all of our annual donations into itsdeductibleonline.com (an online donation tracker that uses pre-established amounts for common items donated.)
I'm going through the sixteen lists of items donated throughout the year and entering each one into the site. It's a gigantic pain in the butt, but worth it because we essentially donated one entire household worth of stuff (mostly kitchen & bedding) during the year. Taking a standard $500 deduction isn't good enough.
We cleaned out my condo in February & March, then started in on Jas' place in the early spring, in July and August we had another major push before moving into the house and finally there was the stuff we didn't find a home for in the new house.
I don't miss any of this "stuff" but it is interesting to look at the lists and see how we prioritized things. My lists start small and then grow to very large; the largest has over seventy-four individual item types on it, with many items like wine glasses and trivets having multiple quantities.
I see the receipt for things I was happy to part with - a 'fugly' entertainment center, sets of 3 or 4 wine glasses that don't match anything else in our collections, tons of Tupperware (with lids!) yuck!
Thankfully, last year I went through the same exercise while donating Messy Martha's usable items and remembered to keep good records. The deduction amount may be significant and I want to make sure we can explain it. We even have photos of some of the donations - not that it technically proves anything, but it shows we at least had the items.
I'm also pleased to report that the lists are fairly evenly distributed between HIS stuff and MY stuff. It doesn't appear that either of us took it in the shorts when it came to who had to sacrifice their 'stuff' for the greater good. I have a lot more kitchen stuff on my lists, but we clearly kept the "best of breed" from each household. My full-sized bedding collection took a significant hit, but as I no longer had a full-sized bed and Jas didn't have one either it was a smart decision.
His t-shirt archive was severely impacted, but as the person who unpacked the remaining collection into our shared clothing closet I can say with all certainty that he is not going to be t-shirtless anytime soon. I did save the marquee shirts for awesome music and sporting events - especially the ones he wore with pride at the time. I think getting rid of the "Colorado Academy 6th annual yard races day" t-shirt in LIME green was a reasonable decision (never worn btw), but the much worn concert t-shirt from an epic classic band... KEEPER!
It is slow work entering these into the deduction finder. I've completed five thus far and have had to stop and blog... my goal is to get at least 4 more in tonight, and one of the four will be the big one from my condo. Goals...
It helps that I'm in San Jose and there's not much on tv tonight, but the desk here is badly located and even using a pillow to elevate myself my neck hurts already.
SO, before I move on to add more items, I'm going to go have dinner. No wine tonight though... I have homework.
I'm going through the sixteen lists of items donated throughout the year and entering each one into the site. It's a gigantic pain in the butt, but worth it because we essentially donated one entire household worth of stuff (mostly kitchen & bedding) during the year. Taking a standard $500 deduction isn't good enough.
We cleaned out my condo in February & March, then started in on Jas' place in the early spring, in July and August we had another major push before moving into the house and finally there was the stuff we didn't find a home for in the new house.
I don't miss any of this "stuff" but it is interesting to look at the lists and see how we prioritized things. My lists start small and then grow to very large; the largest has over seventy-four individual item types on it, with many items like wine glasses and trivets having multiple quantities.
I see the receipt for things I was happy to part with - a 'fugly' entertainment center, sets of 3 or 4 wine glasses that don't match anything else in our collections, tons of Tupperware (with lids!) yuck!
Thankfully, last year I went through the same exercise while donating Messy Martha's usable items and remembered to keep good records. The deduction amount may be significant and I want to make sure we can explain it. We even have photos of some of the donations - not that it technically proves anything, but it shows we at least had the items.
I'm also pleased to report that the lists are fairly evenly distributed between HIS stuff and MY stuff. It doesn't appear that either of us took it in the shorts when it came to who had to sacrifice their 'stuff' for the greater good. I have a lot more kitchen stuff on my lists, but we clearly kept the "best of breed" from each household. My full-sized bedding collection took a significant hit, but as I no longer had a full-sized bed and Jas didn't have one either it was a smart decision.
His t-shirt archive was severely impacted, but as the person who unpacked the remaining collection into our shared clothing closet I can say with all certainty that he is not going to be t-shirtless anytime soon. I did save the marquee shirts for awesome music and sporting events - especially the ones he wore with pride at the time. I think getting rid of the "Colorado Academy 6th annual yard races day" t-shirt in LIME green was a reasonable decision (never worn btw), but the much worn concert t-shirt from an epic classic band... KEEPER!
It is slow work entering these into the deduction finder. I've completed five thus far and have had to stop and blog... my goal is to get at least 4 more in tonight, and one of the four will be the big one from my condo. Goals...
It helps that I'm in San Jose and there's not much on tv tonight, but the desk here is badly located and even using a pillow to elevate myself my neck hurts already.
SO, before I move on to add more items, I'm going to go have dinner. No wine tonight though... I have homework.
Monday, January 04, 2010
2009 Year in Review
What happened this year? Not much. HA HA 2009 might best be categorized as the year of change. Not to steal a phrase from the Obama Presidential Campaign… but I’m doing it anyway.
Probably the easiest way is to break it down by month:
January: My team at MegaBank officially dismembered at the end of the month. I tried make their departure as easy as possible, the decision wasn’t mine and I think I fought for them, but the result was the same. I watched the Obama inauguration with happy amazement. Jas and I enjoyed a night away at the Salish Lodge (romantic and wonderful). We also used our MLK day to go to the zoo and watch a gorilla eat her own poop.
February: with my favorite co-workers gone, work is a real bummer. The actual “work” part of is a joke. I’m dragging myself into the office Tuesdays & Thursday’s and hating every minute of being there. I wrote a request to the new boss to say I had time on my hands and he replied by calling me the wrong name. Forget it, I’ll bide my time and plan the wedding thank you very much. Jas and I spend our first Valentine’s day in Denver with family and friends celebrating his dad’s 70th birthday and our engagement. Jas and I have our first dark discussion about the guest list for the wedding. We can’t invite everyone and the stress of it makes me crazy. I officially move out of my condo in Renton and start taking to an agent about putting it up for sale.
March – Life at the bank officially ended on the 27th. Formed my own company and started contracting. Learning to do taxes, B&O oh my. The wedding plans are in full swing. We have a caterer, and are interviewing photographers. We bought a wonderful new camera and are having fun with it. I almost cut my finger off on St. Patrick’s Day. My condo is officially for sale as of the 28th. Started new working gig on Monday the 30th.
April – Received a more than full price offer for the condo on April fool’s day. We took a long weekend in Napa and Sonoma which was fun in spite of the fact that we got the oldest grandpa car at the rental car agency. We spent Easter in Denver and I attended my first ever Catholic mass. (Very pleased that the holy water didn't burn my skin.)
May - the condo closed and I officially live with Jason. We head to Indiana for a week with Jason’s aunt the Nun in a convent. It was surprisingly fun. We explored Parke County (a place I’ve wanted to see for a while.) We found a house we loved and made an offer. We finagled and got our hopes up but no deal. SAD SAD SAD
June - life is busy this month. Lots of wedding things – finishing the registries, the invitations are assembled and addressed, we keep running into friends at the mall (perhaps we’re at the mall too much) We headed to Granger to celebrate Dad’s 70th birthday. (How odd that both of our dads are the same age.) We tried again to get the house in Snoqualmie that we “love” and spend the month waiting for someone to come fall in love with our condo. Yaz throws us a wonderful couple’s shower on a lovely summer night.
July – the Snoqualmie house is officially off the table. It will never be ours and we move on. We spend a busy 4th of July weekend in Long Beach. Head back to Denver twice, once for a funeral and the second time for a wedding shower. The weather went crazy and it was HOT HOT HOT in Seattle. Michael Jackson died… which was the media end of the world.
August – wow, with the wedding a month away it is wedding central in our lives. Details and more details. But also… parties. The official bridal shower, the bachelorette party (bus with drag queens) happens and we work in a weekend away with friends. Jason’s condo gets a real offer!!! We’re moving, but within weeks of the wedding. Who has time to pack? All the wonderful wedding gifts go straight to storage. In San Jose three times this month - traveling is getting old.
September – Jason goes to Vegas with the guys (his two cousins, dad, friend and 2 second cousins) for a fun weekend, I enjoy time alone before the madness starts. We go to visit Mom & Dad the week before the wedding to help put siding on their house. We throw a wedding and it is a blast, then head to Canada for a honeymoon. We put an offer on a house that we LOVE but don’t get it. (heartbreak) We search and search and finally find a new home (never been lived in) that we like and make an offer that is accepted! So, now we have something to do after the wedding.
October – We sleep for a week after the honeymoon and then pack and move. The new house is wonderful and we are happy. It's crazy to sum the whole of October up in two lines. The packing was nutty, I'm back and forth to San Jose twice each month... Jason hurts his foot during the move, the doc says it's "sprained."
November – Thanksgiving with my family in eastern Washington. We are still unpacking boxes and getting organized at home, but the world is coming to us in December so we have to get it together. I got a speeding ticket. Jas' foot still hurts, new doctor is in order, turns out... foot has a stress fracture.
December – PARTY CENTRAL. We throw 2 birthday parties, three dinner parties and host Christmas for our parents in our new home. We are planning into 2010 – there will be weekends away and likely an Orlando vacation. We found a new gym and have signed up. Looking forward to it.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Don't Spend it all in one place
I know it’s not polite to talk about money, but this one hurts and I have to get it out.
I received an email from my investment company telling me that my “withdrawal” had been processed and a check sent to me. Having requested no transactions I was worried and immediately logged in to see what was happening. Well, it seems that the last of the financial hits from the failure of Mega bank has been finalized in my world.
Earlier in the year I transferred all the actual money from my dead 401k into a new investment fund and it is nicely producing a tiny growth and will eventually be the nest egg it once was. However, when this transaction occurred they didn’t touch the company stock in my portfolio. As a no longer traded item, I’m not sure anyone knew what to do with it – so it sat there.
They finally figured it out and I have been cut a check for a little over $135.00. This will be a nice addition to the upstairs TV fund or a small addition to my short term savings fund but looking at the yearend statement for the fund in total I want to throw up. This tiny little check means that I am “recouping” $0.00376 cents on the $1 of my original holdings. If you’ve got a calculator, I’m sure you can figure out the starting figure. I’d post it, but it makes me too sad.
I know that in the overall course of things, I got off pretty lucky. I walked away with a nice severance, I obtained work right away and am ending the year on very solid footing. I am NOT WHINING. However, this financial loss is real and extends to every shareholder of Megabank stock who didn’t think to sell when the price dropped from $38 a share to $16, and then poof. It’s ‘nice’ that the FDIC seized the bank and sold it for pennies on the dollar to a bigger more stable bank with a more stable portfolio. People who banked at the bank were “secure” in their insured holdings, but the investors… got screwed.
I was at a party earlier in the month and ran into someone I knew briefly at the bank and we had the usual catch up conversation. How are you? Are you working? Is that your choice? And for many people the answers are, I’m good, I miss the people at the bank, I’m (am /not) working (at xxx.com) and I think I (love / hate) it. Many people are not as employed as they were before and have embraced the change. Some have chosen totally different paths, and some are still looking for the right position. This gal, isn’t working (after not looking at all until the fall) and is frankly ANGRY about it. She wanted to know if I was considering suing. Sue!? Who? The state court already said the shareholders didn’t have a case and that the FDIC had every right to seize the bank. (I find it fishy that it all went down less than 10 days before TARP monies were offered…but that’s a different thing.) So, no, I haven’t thought about suing. I lost a lot of money and a job I liked working with a team of people I respected and it is done. Being angry doesn’t change anything.
I think the only thing I can do is learn from it. Lesson 1: don’t buy the CRAP the CEO and CFO tell you. When the stock starts to freefall, get out. Lesson 2: Don’t invest more $$ in the company you work for than you’re prepared to lose. I was only 20% invested in my 401k in Megabank stock. I now see that that was too much and should I be lucky enough to work for a traditional employer again with a 401k I’ll cap that % at a lower rate, especially if stocks are part of my compensation package. (If they are giving me stock, maybe buying more is a silly idea.) And, don’t hold the compensation stock too long. The stock I was “given” as part of my compensation package that I cashed out I turned into my condo which was a very good investment for me. Had I held it, it would have been worth nothing – or rather 0.00376 cents. ICK. Sure I paid taxes on it, but tax is better than a pot full of nothing.
PS – don’t take investment advice from me. I’m just rambling here.
I received an email from my investment company telling me that my “withdrawal” had been processed and a check sent to me. Having requested no transactions I was worried and immediately logged in to see what was happening. Well, it seems that the last of the financial hits from the failure of Mega bank has been finalized in my world.
Earlier in the year I transferred all the actual money from my dead 401k into a new investment fund and it is nicely producing a tiny growth and will eventually be the nest egg it once was. However, when this transaction occurred they didn’t touch the company stock in my portfolio. As a no longer traded item, I’m not sure anyone knew what to do with it – so it sat there.
They finally figured it out and I have been cut a check for a little over $135.00. This will be a nice addition to the upstairs TV fund or a small addition to my short term savings fund but looking at the yearend statement for the fund in total I want to throw up. This tiny little check means that I am “recouping” $0.00376 cents on the $1 of my original holdings. If you’ve got a calculator, I’m sure you can figure out the starting figure. I’d post it, but it makes me too sad.
I know that in the overall course of things, I got off pretty lucky. I walked away with a nice severance, I obtained work right away and am ending the year on very solid footing. I am NOT WHINING. However, this financial loss is real and extends to every shareholder of Megabank stock who didn’t think to sell when the price dropped from $38 a share to $16, and then poof. It’s ‘nice’ that the FDIC seized the bank and sold it for pennies on the dollar to a bigger more stable bank with a more stable portfolio. People who banked at the bank were “secure” in their insured holdings, but the investors… got screwed.
I was at a party earlier in the month and ran into someone I knew briefly at the bank and we had the usual catch up conversation. How are you? Are you working? Is that your choice? And for many people the answers are, I’m good, I miss the people at the bank, I’m (am /not) working (at xxx.com) and I think I (love / hate) it. Many people are not as employed as they were before and have embraced the change. Some have chosen totally different paths, and some are still looking for the right position. This gal, isn’t working (after not looking at all until the fall) and is frankly ANGRY about it. She wanted to know if I was considering suing. Sue!? Who? The state court already said the shareholders didn’t have a case and that the FDIC had every right to seize the bank. (I find it fishy that it all went down less than 10 days before TARP monies were offered…but that’s a different thing.) So, no, I haven’t thought about suing. I lost a lot of money and a job I liked working with a team of people I respected and it is done. Being angry doesn’t change anything.
I think the only thing I can do is learn from it. Lesson 1: don’t buy the CRAP the CEO and CFO tell you. When the stock starts to freefall, get out. Lesson 2: Don’t invest more $$ in the company you work for than you’re prepared to lose. I was only 20% invested in my 401k in Megabank stock. I now see that that was too much and should I be lucky enough to work for a traditional employer again with a 401k I’ll cap that % at a lower rate, especially if stocks are part of my compensation package. (If they are giving me stock, maybe buying more is a silly idea.) And, don’t hold the compensation stock too long. The stock I was “given” as part of my compensation package that I cashed out I turned into my condo which was a very good investment for me. Had I held it, it would have been worth nothing – or rather 0.00376 cents. ICK. Sure I paid taxes on it, but tax is better than a pot full of nothing.
PS – don’t take investment advice from me. I’m just rambling here.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Draggin'
I'm pooped today.
Yesterday I was up at 4 am (but awake at 3) to get ready to head to the airport. I was on the 6:20 a.m. flight to San Jose for a meeting with the big boss at eBay. The meeting went well but it was clear that the manager who (has since left) hired me and the big boss weren't on the same page. That's an awkward situation, but fortunately I have a contract that stipulates what I was supposed to be working on (and have delivered!)
So, after the somewhat stressful meeting a quick lunch another meeting I was back to the airport for the 3:30 flight home. One day trips are not the norm but I had a commitment last night that I didn't want to miss. The year end book group meeting is the best!
I ran off the airplane and to the car to join hundreds of commuters stuck behind a disabled Semi under the convention center. It didn't help that it was pitch black and WET outside. I'm not totally comfortable in Jason's car just yet and it was a stressful drive.
I arrived at Amy's with 30 minutes to spare, so I was able to quickly finish the last of the books for our discussion and then headed inside.
The gathering was great (and I'll upload the summary on the other blog later today) but around 9:30 my 3:00am wake up hit me like a ton of bricks. I was in North Seattle and still needed to get to Renton. It took 45 minutes to wrap up (because the ladies are not on my schedule - duh) and I was puttering home.
I walked in the door around 11 and was thankful that although Jason was upstairs tucked into bed that all the Christmas lights were still on. It was a welcoming sight.
I think it's strange that even though I was exhausted I didn't sleep like the dead last night. There were terrible dreams about trying to deal with the Toyota Motor Company and trying to sell a house that was overrun with teenagers. I'm not really sure where any of that came from, the car is fine, the house is fine and the teenagers I know are all nicely housed with their own families. So, I woke up tired and am trying to focus. (Clearly not well if I'm blogging vs. following up on my to do list from the meeting yesterday.)
I'm going to get my work done and hopefully take a Terri Time Out before I start dinner for my little family tonight.
Yesterday I was up at 4 am (but awake at 3) to get ready to head to the airport. I was on the 6:20 a.m. flight to San Jose for a meeting with the big boss at eBay. The meeting went well but it was clear that the manager who (has since left) hired me and the big boss weren't on the same page. That's an awkward situation, but fortunately I have a contract that stipulates what I was supposed to be working on (and have delivered!)
So, after the somewhat stressful meeting a quick lunch another meeting I was back to the airport for the 3:30 flight home. One day trips are not the norm but I had a commitment last night that I didn't want to miss. The year end book group meeting is the best!
I ran off the airplane and to the car to join hundreds of commuters stuck behind a disabled Semi under the convention center. It didn't help that it was pitch black and WET outside. I'm not totally comfortable in Jason's car just yet and it was a stressful drive.
I arrived at Amy's with 30 minutes to spare, so I was able to quickly finish the last of the books for our discussion and then headed inside.
The gathering was great (and I'll upload the summary on the other blog later today) but around 9:30 my 3:00am wake up hit me like a ton of bricks. I was in North Seattle and still needed to get to Renton. It took 45 minutes to wrap up (because the ladies are not on my schedule - duh) and I was puttering home.
I walked in the door around 11 and was thankful that although Jason was upstairs tucked into bed that all the Christmas lights were still on. It was a welcoming sight.
I think it's strange that even though I was exhausted I didn't sleep like the dead last night. There were terrible dreams about trying to deal with the Toyota Motor Company and trying to sell a house that was overrun with teenagers. I'm not really sure where any of that came from, the car is fine, the house is fine and the teenagers I know are all nicely housed with their own families. So, I woke up tired and am trying to focus. (Clearly not well if I'm blogging vs. following up on my to do list from the meeting yesterday.)
I'm going to get my work done and hopefully take a Terri Time Out before I start dinner for my little family tonight.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
2008 Year in Review
2008...oh my!
Each year at new years I have wished for true love. Last year, I wished for a good year of weight loss, no complications and good health. Imagine my surprise to reach the end of the year and to find myself rolling in everything I've wished for. Sappy... yes, untrue... nope.
Here's my year in review.
January: Back to work after my surgery and onto a normal schedule. I'd lost about 66 pounds since I started my weight loss journey. I was feeling the results in my clothes and spending a lot of time in the closet shopping for things that fit. I foolishly agreed to be on the board at my condo, and for the first time ever weighed less than the number shown on my drivers license. (Month end tally: 66 lbs down, pant size 24)
February: Started out the month getting rid of clothes that no longer fit. 10+ bags to Goodwill. I went on my first business trip since the surgery. It was filled with challenges related to eating socially, but in the end it worked out. My aunt took ill and entered the hospital leaving me as the closest and most able bodied relative to visit and assess the situation. (situation.. BAD!) Month end tally: 75 lbs down, pant size 20)
March: I Still dealing with my aunt, who was bouncing back and forth from the hospital to a nursing home. Most of the things in her house were a total loss due to (understatement of the century coming up) her unfortunate housekeeping skills and thus trips to the dump were occurring at every weekend visit. I had hopes we could move her to an assisted living place and started working on that with a social worker, but by month end it was clear we were dealing with major issues like MRSA. My weight loss took second stage, but I was still moving along. My retirement account posted a 12% loss for the first quarter. Month end tally: 82 lbs down, size 20 )
April: Even though, I was still in the throws of the family situation, I started to think about possibly dating. April 1 I make a reference to looking into Match.com. We moved all of auntie's remaining items to storage . I was still driving to Bellingham every weekend and missing my own life. In an attempt to move things along I signed up on Match.com. No dates; but had a quick 'romance' with some evil scammer. I also joined the gym. ( Month end tally (89 pounds, size 20 )
May: Had one of my credit cards stolen online and had to deal with that, Auntie died in the early part of the month. I felt relief and guilt. I had a minor flirtation at work and enjoyed a weekend with my girl friends in Portland. My huge insurance settlement came in from Auntie, not enough to really do anything, so I decided to let it sit. My gal pal Becky turned 40! Go girl! (93 lbs gone, size 20/18 pants)
June: hang on to your hats folks, the online dating thing took off in June. I went on a date, was talking with one guy and met someone potentially interesting "this guy seems nice, maybe a little too enthusiastic about his family -but practice dates are good too." By the end of the month was feeling pretty good about myself and not at all embarrassed about "playing the field". I finally passed the 100 pound loss mark and bought a pair of pants in a normal store -- not the big lady section, but regular clothes for regular sized people. Sad news, my cat Peter was getting sick and I lost him at the end of the month. (107 lbs lost, size 18 pants)
July: My date with the "nice" guy was great and within a week of that date we agreed to see each other exclusively - but not because I'm smart, but because I'm lucky. The nice guy found my blog and called me out on my multiple dates and in a rare moment of clarity I noticed that he could really be something real. (Thank God for miracles!) By the end of the month, J and I were spending as much time together as we could manage. (118 pounds lost)
August: Turned 40! Had a great party with my wonderful friends. Introduced J to my parents. Found out I posted a document on my companies web site that mistakenly used the word "Pubic" instead of "Public" oops. I was falling in love... really really falling in love. Weekend sleepovers were starting to happen. My people were beginning to express concern as to how fast the 'dating' was turning into something super serious. Well I was willing to take a huge fall; it is my time to be happy! (123 lbs - size 16 pants, size 14 dress for my birthday party!)
September: Planning a trip to Greece in October, I was looking forward to it, and at the same time i was sad about leaving for almost a month. Things at work seemed bleak, the stock price was in the shits and things don't look good for MegaBank. J helped me clear out the storage locker in Bellingham and it was a huge relief to have all of Aunties things resolved. How odd to have someone to willingly help. J finally shares with his parents that not only are we dating, but that things look really serious with us. We talked about getting married for the first time. End of the month, my company was seized by the FDIC and I called off the trip to Greece. (130 - size 16 pants)
October: cancelling the trip sucked, but I was able to meet with people from the new ownership which ultimately resulted in a job offer. J and I had a romantic weekend away in Long Beach, I started to meet some more of his family and by the end of the month we officially became engaged. The love situation has put a big dent in my gym attendance and we vow to return to the gym. (weight... steady at 130 - pants 16)
November: I met J's parents to the first time am waiting to find out if I have a job, I'm thrilled with the election results. Planned a romantic weekend with my guy in a hotel downtown... you have to love the 'staycation.' Bills and collection notices for Auntie are still rolling in. I try to get a head of it, but she's still gone and not bringing in any money. It's a hassle and I'm whiney about it. Thanksgiving goes well - my parents meet J's parents... all is right with the world. It's official, we are living together. (weight... 130 gone, pants 16... but size 14 in jeans)
December: The holidays are here... lots of events. Dinners, parties, cleaning, putting up two trees. Snow, more snow, and then some snow. I basically skip the last two weeks of work due to snow and then an unplanned vacation. I have a job until March, and an offer to move to Manhattan. It's a nice thought, but I'm not going. Christmas goes well in spite of the fact that Mom and Dad don't make it over. New Years Eve is tomorrow and I'm aware that my life is blessed beyond belief. (weight loss 130, size 14 clothes)
Come back for the photo progression next.
Each year at new years I have wished for true love. Last year, I wished for a good year of weight loss, no complications and good health. Imagine my surprise to reach the end of the year and to find myself rolling in everything I've wished for. Sappy... yes, untrue... nope.
Here's my year in review.
January: Back to work after my surgery and onto a normal schedule. I'd lost about 66 pounds since I started my weight loss journey. I was feeling the results in my clothes and spending a lot of time in the closet shopping for things that fit. I foolishly agreed to be on the board at my condo, and for the first time ever weighed less than the number shown on my drivers license. (Month end tally: 66 lbs down, pant size 24)
February: Started out the month getting rid of clothes that no longer fit. 10+ bags to Goodwill. I went on my first business trip since the surgery. It was filled with challenges related to eating socially, but in the end it worked out. My aunt took ill and entered the hospital leaving me as the closest and most able bodied relative to visit and assess the situation. (situation.. BAD!) Month end tally: 75 lbs down, pant size 20)
March: I Still dealing with my aunt, who was bouncing back and forth from the hospital to a nursing home. Most of the things in her house were a total loss due to (understatement of the century coming up) her unfortunate housekeeping skills and thus trips to the dump were occurring at every weekend visit. I had hopes we could move her to an assisted living place and started working on that with a social worker, but by month end it was clear we were dealing with major issues like MRSA. My weight loss took second stage, but I was still moving along. My retirement account posted a 12% loss for the first quarter. Month end tally: 82 lbs down, size 20 )
April: Even though, I was still in the throws of the family situation, I started to think about possibly dating. April 1 I make a reference to looking into Match.com. We moved all of auntie's remaining items to storage . I was still driving to Bellingham every weekend and missing my own life. In an attempt to move things along I signed up on Match.com. No dates; but had a quick 'romance' with some evil scammer. I also joined the gym. ( Month end tally (89 pounds, size 20 )
May: Had one of my credit cards stolen online and had to deal with that, Auntie died in the early part of the month. I felt relief and guilt. I had a minor flirtation at work and enjoyed a weekend with my girl friends in Portland. My huge insurance settlement came in from Auntie, not enough to really do anything, so I decided to let it sit. My gal pal Becky turned 40! Go girl! (93 lbs gone, size 20/18 pants)
June: hang on to your hats folks, the online dating thing took off in June. I went on a date, was talking with one guy and met someone potentially interesting "this guy seems nice, maybe a little too enthusiastic about his family -but practice dates are good too." By the end of the month was feeling pretty good about myself and not at all embarrassed about "playing the field". I finally passed the 100 pound loss mark and bought a pair of pants in a normal store -- not the big lady section, but regular clothes for regular sized people. Sad news, my cat Peter was getting sick and I lost him at the end of the month. (107 lbs lost, size 18 pants)
July: My date with the "nice" guy was great and within a week of that date we agreed to see each other exclusively - but not because I'm smart, but because I'm lucky. The nice guy found my blog and called me out on my multiple dates and in a rare moment of clarity I noticed that he could really be something real. (Thank God for miracles!) By the end of the month, J and I were spending as much time together as we could manage. (118 pounds lost)
August: Turned 40! Had a great party with my wonderful friends. Introduced J to my parents. Found out I posted a document on my companies web site that mistakenly used the word "Pubic" instead of "Public" oops. I was falling in love... really really falling in love. Weekend sleepovers were starting to happen. My people were beginning to express concern as to how fast the 'dating' was turning into something super serious. Well I was willing to take a huge fall; it is my time to be happy! (123 lbs - size 16 pants, size 14 dress for my birthday party!)
September: Planning a trip to Greece in October, I was looking forward to it, and at the same time i was sad about leaving for almost a month. Things at work seemed bleak, the stock price was in the shits and things don't look good for MegaBank. J helped me clear out the storage locker in Bellingham and it was a huge relief to have all of Aunties things resolved. How odd to have someone to willingly help. J finally shares with his parents that not only are we dating, but that things look really serious with us. We talked about getting married for the first time. End of the month, my company was seized by the FDIC and I called off the trip to Greece. (130 - size 16 pants)
October: cancelling the trip sucked, but I was able to meet with people from the new ownership which ultimately resulted in a job offer. J and I had a romantic weekend away in Long Beach, I started to meet some more of his family and by the end of the month we officially became engaged. The love situation has put a big dent in my gym attendance and we vow to return to the gym. (weight... steady at 130 - pants 16)
November: I met J's parents to the first time am waiting to find out if I have a job, I'm thrilled with the election results. Planned a romantic weekend with my guy in a hotel downtown... you have to love the 'staycation.' Bills and collection notices for Auntie are still rolling in. I try to get a head of it, but she's still gone and not bringing in any money. It's a hassle and I'm whiney about it. Thanksgiving goes well - my parents meet J's parents... all is right with the world. It's official, we are living together. (weight... 130 gone, pants 16... but size 14 in jeans)
December: The holidays are here... lots of events. Dinners, parties, cleaning, putting up two trees. Snow, more snow, and then some snow. I basically skip the last two weeks of work due to snow and then an unplanned vacation. I have a job until March, and an offer to move to Manhattan. It's a nice thought, but I'm not going. Christmas goes well in spite of the fact that Mom and Dad don't make it over. New Years Eve is tomorrow and I'm aware that my life is blessed beyond belief. (weight loss 130, size 14 clothes)
Come back for the photo progression next.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Book Group
It was book group night last night, and I'd like to share that I really love those ladies. They are each wonderfully smart, vibrant and creative. I'm thankful for their presence in my life and it's not just that we love books. The reading thing is a common thread, but they each have such a unique spirit, and are genuinely trying to live their best possible lives. I've heard it said that your friends are a reflection of a part of you and if that's really the case, I'm pretty fantastic! (snicker)
We discussed a Graham Greene book over a delightful vegetable soup and some very tasty cous-cous. Write up of the book will happen on the Seattle Girls Book Group blog - tomorrow.
After the discussion we did something unusual, we made a necklace (beaded charm thing) for our member who is in the hospital trying to keep her baby in utero as long as possible. Each gal picked beads and made a wish for M&M and baby boy M. I was worried the activity was going to be corny, but in reality it was sweet. Wishes ranged from, strength for the baby, clarity for M&M, travels in the future, creativity, peace and even good wishes for the dogs.
We discussed a Graham Greene book over a delightful vegetable soup and some very tasty cous-cous. Write up of the book will happen on the Seattle Girls Book Group blog - tomorrow.
After the discussion we did something unusual, we made a necklace (beaded charm thing) for our member who is in the hospital trying to keep her baby in utero as long as possible. Each gal picked beads and made a wish for M&M and baby boy M. I was worried the activity was going to be corny, but in reality it was sweet. Wishes ranged from, strength for the baby, clarity for M&M, travels in the future, creativity, peace and even good wishes for the dogs.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
I Heart Tax Prep!
I have been waiting all year long to do my 2007 taxes. (um, hasn't everyone?) I am so ready for this years tax season!
I love the sales tax itemization rule for Washingtonians and have saved every sales receipt with more than $1.00 of sales tax. I have spend countless hours logging them into a spreadsheet. It is a little depressing to think that I actually spent that much money on "stuff" but I did, and my efforts resulted an almost double deduction amount than the estimated deduction.
Paying cash for my surgery wasn't fun, but it does come in handy with the medical deduction portion of the taxes. I'll be honest and only deduct the amount I actually paid, not the bill they sent me which was $27,000 MORE. That would be wrong, and based on this huge refund I fully expect to get audited. So no funny business, I even entered the $3.56 in interest income from my small online savings account
The other coup of the century is Turbo-Taxe's "itemizeIT" feature where you enter in the items you donated to GoodWill (or where ever) and they assign the value. On my own, I over estimated the value of some items and totally valued books and clothes. CLOTHES!? Yes my friends, thanks to "itemizeIt" I am getting to deduct almost $800 in clothing due to my shrinkage.
The super SA-WEET refund will end up being about 10k! Sorry to talk openly about dinero - but damn - that's awesome! Check back with me in a year where I'll be crying over my sad little $1k refund. But for now let's debate what should be done with it?
Dreams:
Down payment on a super hot car
A night of bliss with Marco the Italian Male Prostitute
Custom flame paint job for the jetta
Reality:
Apply the refund to my surgery finance fund
Reality is so not a sexy car, or a sexy man-for-hire. Reality is responsibility.... snooze.
I love the sales tax itemization rule for Washingtonians and have saved every sales receipt with more than $1.00 of sales tax. I have spend countless hours logging them into a spreadsheet. It is a little depressing to think that I actually spent that much money on "stuff" but I did, and my efforts resulted an almost double deduction amount than the estimated deduction.
Paying cash for my surgery wasn't fun, but it does come in handy with the medical deduction portion of the taxes. I'll be honest and only deduct the amount I actually paid, not the bill they sent me which was $27,000 MORE. That would be wrong, and based on this huge refund I fully expect to get audited. So no funny business, I even entered the $3.56 in interest income from my small online savings account
The other coup of the century is Turbo-Taxe's "itemizeIT" feature where you enter in the items you donated to GoodWill (or where ever) and they assign the value. On my own, I over estimated the value of some items and totally valued books and clothes. CLOTHES!? Yes my friends, thanks to "itemizeIt" I am getting to deduct almost $800 in clothing due to my shrinkage.
The super SA-WEET refund will end up being about 10k! Sorry to talk openly about dinero - but damn - that's awesome! Check back with me in a year where I'll be crying over my sad little $1k refund. But for now let's debate what should be done with it?
Dreams:
Down payment on a super hot car
A night of bliss with Marco the Italian Male Prostitute
Custom flame paint job for the jetta
Reality:
Apply the refund to my surgery finance fund
Reality is so not a sexy car, or a sexy man-for-hire. Reality is responsibility.... snooze.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
I love a new book
I finished my book group book last night and started the one listed on my blog today (Eat, Drink, Pray.
I love a book that grabs you right away! Everyone is reading this one, it's everywhere and I hope it lives up to the hype.
The last book I saw that was EVERYWHERE was the Million Little Pieces book, and well - that didn't end up working out so well.
In other, SUPER EXCITING news -- they had oatmeal in the cafeteria this moring. I loves me some oatmeal! Super yummy.
I love a book that grabs you right away! Everyone is reading this one, it's everywhere and I hope it lives up to the hype.
The last book I saw that was EVERYWHERE was the Million Little Pieces book, and well - that didn't end up working out so well.
In other, SUPER EXCITING news -- they had oatmeal in the cafeteria this moring. I loves me some oatmeal! Super yummy.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
2007 In Review
Today is the first day of 2008... the year in which I turn 40, go to Greece, lose a lot of weight and spend more time with friends. I have a lot to look forward to, but before we move on lets look back a little:
In May I spent ten relaxing days with SadRico (the returned batchelor) in Mexico. We played 200 games of boggle and cribbage buy the pool. It was a wonderful getaway.
In July, I spent a week at Gambleside. The week was specifically selected because it is traditionally the nicest week of the year, and of course... RAIN. That was ok, because the final Harry Potter book arrived the day I left so I snuggled up in my tent and read. I KNEW Snape wasn't a dastardly villain. I'm still not over some of the carnage though. Darn it JK... you didn't have to kill (XXXX), where's the joy now?
I refinanced my condo - getting out of an adjustable rate mortgage and into a 30 yr. with a good fixed rate. Just in time... the market tanked shortly thereafter. Whew! (To give myself credit, that was always the plan, hold the crappy loan while I paid my consumer debt down and then switch over.)
My softball team didn't do so well this year, but we enjoyed ourselves. Our power player moved away, and our catcher had a melt down so who knows what the future holds for St. Matt's Bats.
Spent some time with my parents this summer. We replaced the fence around the pasture. Hard work, but fun.
Killed my fancy cellphone by washing it with my jeans, and then three long months later splurged on the iPhone. I totally love it! I check my pockets when doing laundry now.
Told my inner circle in May that I was thinking about having weight loss surgery in early 2008. While doing research a month or so later two words popped into my head... WHY WAIT? My outlook on life changed at that moment. Started the WLS process, and had surgery on the 19th of November. Lost 64 pounds! (so far)
Traveled to Philadelphia, and back to Phoenix for work. Fun!
Was asked to speak at a conference in Milan, Italy. Didn't end up getting to go, but it was an honor to be asked.
Attended the wedding of SadRico who is now officially, just Rico. He's a happy happy camper!
Rang in the new year with Rico and Cindy in a quiet evening.
Goodbye 2007 - hello future!
In May I spent ten relaxing days with SadRico (the returned batchelor) in Mexico. We played 200 games of boggle and cribbage buy the pool. It was a wonderful getaway.
In July, I spent a week at Gambleside. The week was specifically selected because it is traditionally the nicest week of the year, and of course... RAIN. That was ok, because the final Harry Potter book arrived the day I left so I snuggled up in my tent and read. I KNEW Snape wasn't a dastardly villain. I'm still not over some of the carnage though. Darn it JK... you didn't have to kill (XXXX), where's the joy now?
I refinanced my condo - getting out of an adjustable rate mortgage and into a 30 yr. with a good fixed rate. Just in time... the market tanked shortly thereafter. Whew! (To give myself credit, that was always the plan, hold the crappy loan while I paid my consumer debt down and then switch over.)
My softball team didn't do so well this year, but we enjoyed ourselves. Our power player moved away, and our catcher had a melt down so who knows what the future holds for St. Matt's Bats.
Spent some time with my parents this summer. We replaced the fence around the pasture. Hard work, but fun.
Killed my fancy cellphone by washing it with my jeans, and then three long months later splurged on the iPhone. I totally love it! I check my pockets when doing laundry now.
Told my inner circle in May that I was thinking about having weight loss surgery in early 2008. While doing research a month or so later two words popped into my head... WHY WAIT? My outlook on life changed at that moment. Started the WLS process, and had surgery on the 19th of November. Lost 64 pounds! (so far)
Traveled to Philadelphia, and back to Phoenix for work. Fun!
Was asked to speak at a conference in Milan, Italy. Didn't end up getting to go, but it was an honor to be asked.
Attended the wedding of SadRico who is now officially, just Rico. He's a happy happy camper!
Rang in the new year with Rico and Cindy in a quiet evening.
Goodbye 2007 - hello future!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Almost Moon
The Almost Moon is Alice Sebold's follow up to her much touted and loved The Lovely Bones. I have to tell you that if you were a fan of TLB... The Almost Moon probably isn't for you. It holds none of the same charm nor does it have a single likable character.
I'm ok with complicated characters, but I'm not ok with book that is a death spiral of bad decisions and worse solutions. Those sort of books (and movies) stress me out. Except when it's done as farce... Very Bad Things was a crazy death spiral of a movie that really made me laugh. Disturbing, but funny.
I wholeheartedly do NOT recommend this book to my friends, or even those of you who really hack me off. Frankly, I don't recommend this book to anyone. To those out in the world who think I'm just bitter and cynical I tell you that the New York Times called this book "an assault on trees."
Ah HA!!!! Proof Positive that the New York Times is as smart as I am! Those of you who doubted that the NYTs is brilliant and well written need not worry any more. They have a rock solid recommendation from me. I'm sure they are very pleased - they really should be.
As I write this, I'm wondering if maybe I haven't dissed this book already. If I have, then I guess you'll just have to chalk it up to the fact that it is just that bad.
I am FULLY aware that I am not a published author and that writing novels is hard work and that those who can do it should be respected for their effort especially by us "blog hacks" but dude... this book sucked.
I'm ok with complicated characters, but I'm not ok with book that is a death spiral of bad decisions and worse solutions. Those sort of books (and movies) stress me out. Except when it's done as farce... Very Bad Things was a crazy death spiral of a movie that really made me laugh. Disturbing, but funny.
I wholeheartedly do NOT recommend this book to my friends, or even those of you who really hack me off. Frankly, I don't recommend this book to anyone. To those out in the world who think I'm just bitter and cynical I tell you that the New York Times called this book "an assault on trees."
Ah HA!!!! Proof Positive that the New York Times is as smart as I am! Those of you who doubted that the NYTs is brilliant and well written need not worry any more. They have a rock solid recommendation from me. I'm sure they are very pleased - they really should be.
As I write this, I'm wondering if maybe I haven't dissed this book already. If I have, then I guess you'll just have to chalk it up to the fact that it is just that bad.
I am FULLY aware that I am not a published author and that writing novels is hard work and that those who can do it should be respected for their effort especially by us "blog hacks" but dude... this book sucked.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Huge News...
Multiple sources this weekend informed me about JK Rowling’s announcement that Harry Potter’s beloved headmaster Professor Dumbledore is actually gay. Interesting news I guess, especially if you are wrapped up in the “lives” of fictional characters.
To me it doesn’t matter if he’s gay, straight, had a secret affair with an elf, or worse a muggle. Mugglesexual? While I believe Ms. Rowling’s comments to be in jest, it bothers me that she would joke about it. The days of insulting someone by calling them gay should be capital O – over. Had her intention been one of tolerance then she should have broached the subject in her multimillion dollar earning books in a forthright manner. To mention it after the fact is a weak attempt with no cost to her pocketbook. A more risky move (but one worthy of respect) would have been to write it into the actual story.
It is not shocking to me that a character in a “children’s” story would turn out to be gay. Plenty of characters throughout the fiction have frequented the “Neighbors Bar” in fantasy land. Last time I was there with my friend Craig, I saw Prince Charming putting the moves on TinkyWinky (who I thought was a little young to be out that late.) Poor Cinderella, I hope that Prince tells her that he’s a member of the family before they have kids. Maybe they have an agreement – but it’s really none of our business.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Books
I just finished Manhunt, the 12 day hunt for Lincoln's assassin. Thanks to Deborah I seem to be on a Lincoln kick. Thankfully, this book was wonderful! The author pulled together historical data to describe with detail the days leading up to the assassination of President Lincoln and the attempted escape of John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators. Written like a novel, I didn't find it at all dull or text-bookish. In fact, there were moments of pure adrenaline and excitement - it truly read like a novel.
I recommend it to history buffs and to those interested in an engaging read.
Cormack McCarthy's The Road however perplexed me to no end. This Oprah Book Club selection was described by the San Francisco Chronicle as "gripping, frightening and ultimately, beautiful." My reaction was quite the opposite.
Bleak, depressing and pointless are the descriptors that come to me. I am not one to shy away from dark stories - Jose Saramago's Blindness remains one of my favorite books of all time in spite of the horrendous descriptions of the cruelty of humankind. In The Road a father and son are walking through a wasteland that use to be America. They are on a journey to the south where they believe something resembling life awaits them. They are forced to hide from the other survivors and are placed in kill or be killed scenes during their journey.
I'm not sure if we're supposed to be comforted by the parent child relationship or find hope in their will to go on. Frankly, I didn't feel or see it.
And... Mr. McCarthy's technique of not using punctuation irritates me. He is a prolific writer with a skill I admire, but for fucksake man... buy a quotation mark or find it in your heart to every once in a while drop us a clue as to who the heck is speaking!!!
Oprah and others such as the respected New York Times Book Review loved this story - but I for one did not.
I recommend it to history buffs and to those interested in an engaging read.
Cormack McCarthy's The Road however perplexed me to no end. This Oprah Book Club selection was described by the San Francisco Chronicle as "gripping, frightening and ultimately, beautiful." My reaction was quite the opposite.
Bleak, depressing and pointless are the descriptors that come to me. I am not one to shy away from dark stories - Jose Saramago's Blindness remains one of my favorite books of all time in spite of the horrendous descriptions of the cruelty of humankind. In The Road a father and son are walking through a wasteland that use to be America. They are on a journey to the south where they believe something resembling life awaits them. They are forced to hide from the other survivors and are placed in kill or be killed scenes during their journey.
I'm not sure if we're supposed to be comforted by the parent child relationship or find hope in their will to go on. Frankly, I didn't feel or see it.
And... Mr. McCarthy's technique of not using punctuation irritates me. He is a prolific writer with a skill I admire, but for fucksake man... buy a quotation mark or find it in your heart to every once in a while drop us a clue as to who the heck is speaking!!!
Oprah and others such as the respected New York Times Book Review loved this story - but I for one did not.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Reading Is Fun
So I'm accidentally reading three books right now. That doesn't happen to me very often, I like to start and finish one before I start another.
I'm reading Saving the World by Julia Alvarez - so far very interesting. Two women, one in modern day and the other ages and ages ago. This one is going back and forth to work every day and should be wrapped up soon.
Chesil Beach is a short little book by the author that brought us Atonement (wonderful). It's in the dining room and gets a few pages a day.
Emma was pulled from the bookshelf during my write up of the movie Becoming Jane and I started to read it and now it's on the night stand.
I don't know what I'm going to do when the book club book arrives this week along with the three other books I happened to throw in for good measure.
Someday I hope all the time I've spend in these novels will come to some good. Maybe it's only to steer you away from books that I've read that you shouldn't. Beware of paperback books covered in praise for an authors previous book. That is never a good sign. The rule does not hold true for hardbacks - it's a crap shoot at that point. I'm hesitant to publicly slam the latest "worst book I've ever read" winner as my attempts at fiction are juvenile at best. Let me just say this... the Lovely Bones was wonderful and I highly recommend it. That would be my comment on the back of any new title by the author that I may have read.
I'm reading Saving the World by Julia Alvarez - so far very interesting. Two women, one in modern day and the other ages and ages ago. This one is going back and forth to work every day and should be wrapped up soon.
Chesil Beach is a short little book by the author that brought us Atonement (wonderful). It's in the dining room and gets a few pages a day.
Emma was pulled from the bookshelf during my write up of the movie Becoming Jane and I started to read it and now it's on the night stand.
I don't know what I'm going to do when the book club book arrives this week along with the three other books I happened to throw in for good measure.
Someday I hope all the time I've spend in these novels will come to some good. Maybe it's only to steer you away from books that I've read that you shouldn't. Beware of paperback books covered in praise for an authors previous book. That is never a good sign. The rule does not hold true for hardbacks - it's a crap shoot at that point. I'm hesitant to publicly slam the latest "worst book I've ever read" winner as my attempts at fiction are juvenile at best. Let me just say this... the Lovely Bones was wonderful and I highly recommend it. That would be my comment on the back of any new title by the author that I may have read.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Speed Reader
Golly... we had our July book group meeting Tuesday and needed to change the date of our August meeting. The only day we could agree on was July 31st!
It wouldn't be so terrible to read a book in two weeks (especially since I'm going "camping") but Harry Potter arrives on my doorstep Saturday and I want to start reading it right away.
Ahhh the pressure!
(Clearly, I'm not quite as deep as your average Doctor, Human Rights Advocate or even high schooler.)
It wouldn't be so terrible to read a book in two weeks (especially since I'm going "camping") but Harry Potter arrives on my doorstep Saturday and I want to start reading it right away.
Ahhh the pressure!
(Clearly, I'm not quite as deep as your average Doctor, Human Rights Advocate or even high schooler.)
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