updates and streams of consciousness

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake:  Incredible.  So moving, touching, and magical.

CakeWalk:  Amazing.  Touching.  Poignant.  The chapter without a recipe at the end just about made my bawl at my day job.  The fact that food had always been a comfort to her, and couldn't even help her at that point in her life struck me to the core.  So, so good.  So so glad I read it.  It was completely the opposite of what I had imagined it would be. ( I obviously didn't do my research on that one) (But that's OK).

Biked 14 miles yesterday.

I'm beginning to lose my steam on FB.  I feel like I get more updates from companies and public figures than my actual friends.  I hesitate to comment on anything or post anything because I either feel like I'm either one-upping someone else, or I'm a loser because it's not as (adjective) as someone else's.

Plus, I still find myself annoyed at S&L.  I've been following DH's lead with D&T.  So that leaves some fairly big spaces in our lives right now.

And tomorrow is Sara's sister's graduation party.  I'm not even sure if I'll see them because it looks like they'll be headed to another party that's going on at the same time in roughly the same area.

Reason's why I'm annoyed at S:

• We had plans that she totally forgot
• I was included on her new plans, and made to feel like an afterthought
• she repeated asked me if I was going to an event I'd told her repeatedly I wasn't attending
• she made a big stink about how we should get together and then never followed through
• it's now been almost a month, and I don't seem to be getting over this

Reason's why I'm annoyed at L:
Actually, it can probably be lumped together as one: I've noticed him ragging on S a lot in mixed company.  I feel like the kind, sweet patient L that we've known for the last several years disappeared and left this asshole douchebag in his place.  I know spouses can be annoying; after all, I've got one!  But if I were to complain about him to T or his sister or his mom, I'm smart enough to know I'd be digging my own grave.  Plus, I hate to say this, but L got his green card because of S.  Because she fell in love with him, married him, and helped him put together all the documentation he needed, wrote an amazing letter that won his case, and stayed here and worked like a dog so that he could quit his job and go to Mexico for a month while it got straightened out.  Now she's writing a book about their experience.  And he thanks her by talking shit about her to her friends, and being impatient and annoyed all the time?  What, because he got his green card and lost a bit of weight?

Honestly, it makes me want to lost more weight, just so I can shove it in his face and say, Fuck you.  You can be in shape and not be a dip shit to your wife at the same time.  I know.

This? right here? does not bode well for our summer fun.

quick book update

So I am in love.  The particular sadness of lemon cake had me in the first chapter.  The language is poetic and visual, and sucks you in with keyholes into the story.  I can't wait to find out what happens, but I never want it to end.  Looking forward to reading some of Aimee Bender's earlier work.

Also reading/skimming Drink This: Wine Made Simple.  Dara is delightful, and makes the most unusual comparisons.  For example, she'll say something like, just because xx wine got a 95 rating doens't mean you will like it.  The person who rated it is saying that of the most perfect steak s/he could imagine, this wine would be a 95 out of 100.  But you don't always want steak.  You might not even like steak.  Find out what wines you like, and you won't need me anymore.

The only down side to this book is that it really should be used as more of a work book, and right now, I don't have/want to spend the money on my wine edification.  I'm focusing on other things.  But she gives you all the steps, all the info, and is witty and irreverant to boot.  Plus, she's local.  Love!!

Three day weekend: will I spend it reading?  Or will I spend it finishing the wrap I mentioned here?  Tune in next time to find out!

web notes

I think this camera simulator is fun to play with.  And it also shows me why I prefer a point-and-shoot camera: I'm lazy. 

 

I saw these at a shop in the Galleria years ago and have wanted some since.  I probably could find a cheat, but when these flower arrangers are so inexpensive, and so easy to story, why mess around with tape grids?

love this

When dealing with individuals, sensitive types who write, one must be kind and delicate. On the Internet though, with a pack of strangers, you can say whatever the hell you like.

                                                                -Wide Lawns

 

updates, books and otherwise

Ok, so Husand and Wife?  No go.  I gave up 100 pages in.  Jen Lancaster? Amazing as always.  However, I've been remiss in starting another book because I've been busy knitting.  Yes, knitting.  So far my list of projects:

scarf - completed
wrap - in progess
market bag - tbd

But truthfully, I only have time for either knitting or reading, so I have to intersperse them.

Also?  Looking at making spirally scarfs for christmas gifts this year.  Hmmm.

Also, also?  I brought truffles to church yesterday for a meeting, trying to restart my cottage industry.  I sold the extra box I brought.  Yay!  And Will Fetzer called me today saying he had an idea to expand my business.  Yay!  Yay! 

And . . I biked 16.5 miles today.  Whew.  That took a little longer than I expected and so I wasn't able to get back to Will.  But I've been noticing that my weight has been creeping back up slightly.  And I'm bound and determined to lose that and more.  So I'm really trying to ratchet it up.  Summer is literally right around the corner.

p.s.  why do the defunct keys on my keyboard keep changing?  First it was c's, then n's, now f's?  WTF.

So excited for this album.

Just finished Bill Bryson's At Home.  For a subject that you'd think would be kind of dull, it was extremely interesting, and pulled you along the way a plot usually does that you rarely find in non-fiction.

Also finished awhile back Still Life with Husband by Lauren Fox, but I forgot to update that.  It was so so good.  And despite the fact that it's about an imploding marriage, it was extremely funny and witty.

Although, I've found I tend to read a lot of fiction about relationships falling apart, and it translates to paranoia about my own marriage, and that's not good.  So we're taking a break with that.  By reading . . Husband and Wife, about an imploding marriage.

Just kidding.

I mean, I do want to read that, but not for a bit.  Instead, I'll be reading Jen Lancaster's latest, Wish You Were Here, which is her first (thinly-veiled)) foray into fiction.  I'm really excited.

Anyone know how many we're at for books read so far?  I've lost track and every time I try and count, I lose track.