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Due to my ever-faithful insomnia, I’ve had a really hard time getting up in the mornings which means I’ve been taking the later bus to work. However every Thursday dinner and Grey’s night. My best friend, her husband, my sis and I have dinner (we alternate cooking), play some Catch Phrase or other fun game, drink lots of wine, and watch ABC (only to Google what happened on our shows the next day because we were too drunk to remember). Then I drunk dial my bestie Peach out in Seattle since it’s only 8 pm out there and she tolerates/laughs at my freshman in college behavior. Anyhoo, all that to say, I do get my ass on the early bus on Thursdays so that I can leave early and prepare for my night of revelry/cooking.
On the early bus, I have a lot of what I call “bus friends”. We say pleasantries. Sometimes have more than two liner conversations. Two of my “friends” make no bones about having a crush on me. It’s kind of funny that they act jealous of each other. Kicker – they’re both married and they’re both way older than I am. Usually I take their little jealously act as a compliment and just smile and shake my head in disbelief. That is until this morning…
I’m sitting in my seat reading my book minding my business when I hear the unmistakable sound of a camera phone taking a picture. I look around to see where it came from wondering what in the world could possibly be of interest at 7 am on a bus no less? I don’t see anyone with a phone or hastily putting one away. Bus friend #1 is sitting across the aisle from me. We get to the second bus stop. Bus friend #2 takes a seat behind me. The wheels on the bus go round and round and we’re on the interstate.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see friends #1 and #2 talking in low voices. I go back to reading. Then I see #2 get his cell phone and take a picture…of me! I look up all like “wtf?” but because I don’t like confrontation/know what to say I respond with “I know you just didn’t take a picture of me.” Then he tries to take another picture of me – I put my hand up over the lens. The girl that is sitting with no-longer-my- friend- #2 starts to call both of them perverts. I’m still sitting there astounded and perplexed by what just happened. I closed my book, looked up and said “Taking not-so-covert pictures is nothing but creepy. We don’t live in Hollywood and I am not an actress.” Opened my book and went back to reading. When no-longer-my- friend- #2 got off at his stop he told me to have a good day. I said “I don’t think I can after the start of my morning”. No-longer-my-friend-#1 then tried to back-pedal and tell me that he did not take any pictures. I just reiterated that it was super creepy and I’m considering only taking the late bus from now on.
I get to work and have this email from #2:
Hi PLT,
Good morning.. I hope that you had an enjoyable ride in this morning. Don’t worry, I deleted the pictures.
Sorry… #2
I did not respond. I’m not totally creeped out because these guys are harmless. But I do wish I had said something different. More powerful. More don’teventhinkofdoingthisshitagain type of statement. I feel like I let them off too easily and I hate feeling like I didn’t stick up for myself. You know how after something happens you think of the perfect comeback? Well, I still haven’t thought of that comeback. What would you have said?
So I got my vintage dress I found on etsy in the mail that I mentioned here last week! The white belt I thought would go so well didn’t pan out – it was more like a hula hoop on my waist. I guess it was bought more for my low waisted jeans as the circumfrence of my hips and waist are vastly different. Anyhoo, inspired by…love Maegan and her “Completely Gratuitous Outfit” posts, I decided to kill two birds with one stone by showcasing my cute vintage find and my garden (in the early stages). But first back to Maegan. Go check out her blog – she has awesome style and she’s drop dead gorgeous, not to mention photogenic. The type of person you’d love to hate except she’s totally cool. She looks flawless mixing Burberry and Hanes tees. I’ll stop my girl crush in a minute, but one last thing. All the pics on her page she takes herself – amazing! That said, I am not a remotely photogenic person, consider yourself warned.
Like I said before, the white belt I was envisioning didn’t work, so I used this scarf I took from my mom’s chest of drawers years ago. I can’t recall ever using/wearing it until now.
Do you like my plastic happy face watering can?!? It makes me happy.
Frankster is also camera shy.
Eh, it’s a start to a garden.
Pay day is tomorrow so I can start perusing etsy again (um, yeah, I already have a number of items saved under “favorites” - hopefully some of them are still there waiting for me!) Happy shopping, fellow clothes horses 
The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer
I picked this book to be on my list after reading a magazine article in some doctor’s office. The journalist interviewed the author (Greer) about his book being compared to “The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons”. Both stories are about reverse aging. Since I haven’t yet read “The Curious Case…” (written by F. Scott Fitzgerald – did not know that before I read the article), I have no comment on how similar (if at all) the storylines are. Greer stated that he was unfamilar with the Benjamin Buttons story until the movie came out last Christmas. I do plan on reading the Fitzgerald story in the future, but this little article was enough to intrigue me into reading about Max Tivoli. Without further ado, my report.
Story Overview:
Set in San Francisco in the 1870s, Max Tivoli is born to a Southern Belle transplant of a mother and a Danish, wrong-side-of-the-tracks father. While his oddness is recognized right away (a baby with liver spots!), no one knows exactly what is wrong with him until a former maid of the household sees him at around age 5 and can tell he’s getting “younger” (I believe at that point he looked in his 70s rather than his 90s).
Being born an oddity, Max thinks of himself as a monster. He rarely leaves the house as a child. The few times he is allowed to his parents tell him he must always act the age he looks rather than the age he is.
On one of those early outings (age 6 or 7), Max meets what will be his lifelong best friend Hughie. Hughie and Max are the same age year-wise when they meet. After some initial confusion, Max’s age reversal syndrome is not a point a of contention for Hughie. Ten years later, Max meets the love of his life, Alice. She is 14 at the time, Max 17, although he looks to be in 60s. From here we see how Alice floats in and out of Max’s life over the next four decades.
Would I recommend it? Why/Why not?
Yes – while I have seen other reviews where the author has criticized Greer for “over-writing”, I thought his prose were beautiful. I love when an author can paint such a beautiful, thorough scene that you can picture absolutely everything in the movie theatre of your mind. Even though Max considers himself a monster, his feelings are very human: wanting to love, wanting to be loved in return, doing some not-so-noble things in order to get what he wants, etc.
What I took away:
Ah, this was hard for me, but it was recognizing that characters (or real people) who we like can sometimes be what we would consider a “bad person”. Not necessarily an all out terrible person, but someone who could slip. While Max calls himself a monster numerous times throughout the book I found myself thinking “No you aren’t! Your just a person who has this unfortunate syndrome (yes, I know it was fictional) and you’re dealing the best way you know how!”. However, then comes a time when Max did some questionable things and I really did catch myself thinking “He IS a monster”. I tend to wear blinders in real life when my friends (or me, myself) does or says something that coming from a stranger I would deem wrong. I guess this proves the old adage that we see on what we want to see. This book served as a reminder to try to step back and see things objectively. Not that any actions would need to be taken, but if we don’t step back and gain some perspective, well, we’re left with a fuzzy, myopic view.
Oh! One last thing…at the end of the book there a little blurb about this letter being found in an attic (the letter essentially being the book) and very few editorial changes were made. I wasn’t sure if this was for real or not. I did a quick (read: not extensive) Google search to find out more, but it didn’t come back with much. If you know anything about this, please say so in the comments! Thanks!
Up next:
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingslover
She’s got a secret garden
Where everything you want
Where everything you need
Will always stay
A million miles away
- Bruce Springsteen
Okay, so this post is not that serious or insightful, but that is the song that came to mind. I started my “porch slab garden” tonight. I live in a townhouse community and while I love that I don’t have to mow the yard or prune because a landscape company does it all, I do regret not getting to plant pretty, pretty flowers. In the community’s defense, you can ask the HOA for permission – I’m just too lazy/I don’t like being told no….so, I just plant in planters on the back porch.
It’s been a balmy 88 degrees here in Atlanta the past few days so I figured it was time to start. This is my third spring in this house and each year the porch gets better (in my humble opinion). I went to Home Depot after I got home from work and spent a cool $40 on plants and 2 hanging planters. Once the plants have time to settle and thrive I’ll post some pictures (yes, simple things can actually make me happy), but in the meantime, I did take this little shot of the table (yes, that is glass of little sparkling white wine in the photo. I did imbibe a bit during my planting hour . Though normally a red wine girl, the white was quite refreshing on such a hot night). I don’t know jack about plants. I pick them the same way I pick wine – is it pretty? Yes? Good! In the cart it goes. The plants lucky enough to make it to the table are some herbs (cilantro in the blue strawberry jug) and basil (in the regular pot) mixed with some pretty pink flowers. These are only on the table because otherwise the dogs will pee on them at some point and being that I actually use these in dinner, well, no one wants a hint of urine in their bruschetta or enchiladas.
The culprits – so cute, yet always ready to mark:
If you’ll excuse me, I need to put rubbing alcohol over my entire body – the mosquitos ate me alive. Must’ve been the sweet white wine. Good night, Darlings!
Playing around with having a format for my book reports – bear with me.
Story Overview:
Set in the Midwest, Edgar Sawtelle is born mute, but not deaf. He is the only child to his parents Gar and Trudy. The family business is dog breeding. The dogs are not a specific breed – it’s a breed developed by his family over 2 generations. He loves his family, his life, his dogs. He leads a pretty idyllic life until his Uncle Claude comes back after decades of missing. After Claude’s return, Edgar’s life drastically changes and he struggles to find his place/who he is in this new, dark world.
Would I recommend it?
Yes! I loved it. It took a a few days for me to get into it, but once I got hooked, I couldn’t stop. It took me a week and a half to get through the 566 pages.
Why?
I immediately loved the main character and being a dog lover, it was impossible not to love the personalities of the dogs involved (though even if you aren’t a dog lover, I think you’d still be inclined to at least respect the dogs). The story keeps you engaged in throughout the book. I can’t recall a dull passage (yes, I’m aware that I sound like I’m contradicting myself considering I said it took me a while to get into it, but that was more due to only having small bursts of time to read, not because of the story line) or a portion where I was like “come on already!”.
What I took away from it:
A reminder to dig past the surface. I often take people and what they say at face value. I believe what they tell me unless I know them really well (and therefore know their tells) or if they are just a horrendous liar. It definitely wouldn’t hurt me to be perceptive and more in tune with others. Lately I’ve been too wrapped up in myself and my own personal issues to notice if what other people are saying/displaying is in line with their actions and/or what they’re really thinking or feeling.
Up next:
I actually just finished it today! The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer
If you’ve read either one and would like to comment, please do! Happy reading, Darlings!
Back in January I didn’t disclose my entire resolution list for fear of having an audience when I realized on 12/31/2009 that I didn’t get everything crossed off. However, it turns out I’m halfway done with two of my items:
take 2 classes
run 2 5Ks
Well, I’m happy to report that I have one class down. Back in March I took a wire wrap jewelry class (well, workshop really, it was only a one day thing) at the Mablehouse. The Mablehouse is this cute area really close to where I live. Part outdoor amphitheatre (fun, cheap concerts in the summer time where you can bring your own booze in!) and part arts and crafts, this historic little landmark has proven to be quite a little gem in my neck of the suburbs. Below is a (terrible) picture of my finished wire-wrap project (I need to have someone take a picture when I’m just wearing it – this looks severely unnatural!):
I think my next class will be sport-related and longer than a workshop. I’m thinking of picking up the old tennis racket again – to be determined.
As for the 5k, I haven’t exactly ran it yet, but I did sign up. I’m doing the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Race for the Cure 5K on May 9th. This is cool because unlike the walk, runners don’t have to get a minimum amout of donations. I actually didn’t even know getting donations was a part of the run until I had signed up. For the 5k, the race gives you a suggested goal. My friends and family came through and donated a few bucks and I met the suggested goal rather quickly. I’m hoping more people will continue to donate. If you’d like to learn more about the race or the organization (or if you even want to donate!), you can visit my race page here for more information. I hate running, but my training is going well (I’m in week three). My legs aren’t hurting me as much as when I did my first 5k last August, but I do seem to dread going to gym. Still working on the motivation bit
I’m looking over the rest of my resolutions now and I’m confident I’ll get the rest completed with the exception of one (that one being a big trip – think international). Again, to be determined.
If you made resolutions for 2009, how are they coming along? I literally had to dust off my list once I found it amongst a stack of papers on my desk. Fortunately I feel like there is still time to make some progress. Do you feel that way too? Let me know – I’m interested in how people tackle goals/keep or generate motivation!
What else does a girl do when she’s feeling a little less than stellar? Shop, of course! I’ve always been a thrifty shopper. I love deals. And in this crazy economic time being a recessionista is even more of a necessity. Here are a few of my recent purchases (aka steals):
After seeing a picture of Katie Holmes in my Glamour magazine decked out with a ton of bangles I decided I had to be a copy cat. I bought three different sets on ebay:
The damage? Including shipping the 26 bangles were about $20.
My splurge: a pearl ring from InspiredSilver.com. This website used to be called “celebrity” inspired silver. All of the items are named after the celebrity the piece was designed around. It won’t let me copy the picture so you’ll have to go here to see my “Gwen” ring. I had been eyeing this ring for months and last weekend they had a sale and this ring was on clearance (and luckily in my size). The damage: about $23 with shipping. I got to wear it to a wedding I went to this weekend and got many a compliment. Here’s a pic of my other fabulous accessory (aka my best guy friend/date) and me at said wedding (unfortunately I didn’t think to flash the ring).
After a mini-marathon of Sex and the City season 6 yesterday as I was cleaning up around the house, I was inspired by Carrie’s retro/vintage clothing. So today at work I did a little searching of the vintage section on etsy and bought this great dress from afreshVTG - I can’t wait to get it!
Damage: $15 with shipping.
Now I just need some great tan boots I just bought a white belt at Marshalls that will look awesome with this dress. Seriously, I can’t wait.
I have also been checking out the local Goodwills lately and have found some cute things! Pictures to come once I get them all dry-cleaned.
Needless to say, this girl is feeling way better (as is her wallet). Happy shopping, fellow fashionistas!
by Milan Kundera
I am way overdue on this report (and for a post in general for the matter). I finished this book a week or two ago and am quarter way through book number 2 so I better get cracking – my memory isn’t as good as it used to be.
The book is set in Prague in 1968 post the Prague Spring. Note – I learned a lot of history from this book. Not so much what was written – that was more for reference – but researching later more about that era and the political climate. I love history, but never really learned a lot post the 9th grade. And so I’ll continue…in addition to the historical/political backdrop, the book is based on Nietzsche’s idea of external return, that all the world’s events will continue to occur over and over again for infinity. The author suggests that we all live unique lives and once an event occurs, it can never, ever be replicated. His approach = lightness and the external return approach = heaviness. Honestly, I had to read this part a few times to get the jist, but it finally made sense. The ideas of “lightness” and “heaviness” are constant motifs in the novel as you begin to learn the characters.
Enough background – did I like it or what? The answer is yes. I thought the ideas on love and sex and monogamy weren’t necessarily new, but very well articulated. For example, I personally have often thought how odd it is that in our society we equate sex with love. While you can certainly have sex with someone without loving them and vice versa, it’s (unofficially) considered best practice if the two go hand in hand. Tomas, one of the main characters, loves his wife, but can’t stop his philandering ways. He doesn’t love the other women, but feels an insatiable need to have sex with literally hundreds of women. “Thomas thought: Attaching love to sex is one of the most bizarre ideas the Creator ever had.” Sometimes I agree! Let me clarify – it’s not that I want to have sex with hundreds of men I don’t love. I generally do think sex is better with someone I love. However, I just think the idea that you should only have sex when you’re in love is flawed as it only applies to humans. Animals don’t have to love each other to procreate and yet we don’t judge them for having sex without love like we might judge a human. I feel like I’m not clarifying at all and instead make this more muddy. Perhaps I need to think on this some more on how to best get my point across .
Another funny thing – I didn’t notice when the book was written (1982) or published (1984). It was very relatable I just assumed it was a recent publication. Until one of my bus friends saw me reading it and exclaimed “oh! great book. man i read that like 20 years ago!”. I guess I just liked the fact that I could relate to a book that was written when I was 4. I know, I know, I should read more classics. If they are more like this then perhaps I will!
Once I did more research, I saw that a movie was made in 1998 with Daniel Day Lewis and Juliet Binoche. May just have to find that one and see how it compares.
Lastly, it was a quick read (for a slow reader like me, that translates to a week of reading it on the bus to and from work).
Next up: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. This book is a lot longer and the pages are a lot bigger! It took awhile for me to get into it, but now I’m hooked. Stay tuned!
