My first book review is up at Satan's Bookclub. I've reviewed Frank Portman's YA novel Andromeda Klein, a book I thoroughly enjoyed. But that's not what Satan's Bookclub is about, is it? It's more important to recognize how potentially evil a book is, rather than the quality of story and writing. You becha!
Bit rusty at the reviews. I only published two the first time SBC was up. But I attempted a few more. I'm looking forward to honing my skills.
I love to read and I do it a lot. I also like to go to readings and book signings, something I used to do more often when I lived in the states.I used to read a lot of book blogs as well. And all of these activities led to creating Satan's Bookclub with Louise. I created it, did a couple of reviews, but I let it slide. I don't remember why. Probably met a boy online or something. wink wink.
It's no wonder he's a favorite of mine. He's got my dream basement.
It's people like this that made me start Satan's Bookclub in the first place, and they are the inspiration to do a rehaul and start the fun again.
As soon as I finish jodiferous.com redesign, I'm starting on Satan's Bookclub.
I apologize, I've been more interested in working on my new blog design, then actually blogging. And I wish I could say that I've been working on it diligently. I was. But then I decided I needed to watch all three seasons of Veronica Mars again. It happens. At least we've had a run through all seasons of Buffy and Angel in the last year. And House. And BSG.
The fact is, I've changed my design three times since I've started. And while I've been spending most of my time on content and layout within MT4, I at least have to have a banner done, to keep in mind while I work. So I am now working on my third banner with built in roll over buttons. It's so sad how much I have forgotten about Photoshop and Illustrator and such since I left my job. I used to be able to make a roll over button in my sleep. Well, just before I went to sleep maybe. Now I have to LOOK IT UP!.
Guh.
I am updating my reading list over on the new design, I used to be really good at keeping track of my books. So I am working towards that again. I have also joined Good Reads, just haven't bothered to add a button or link in the old design. Because I'm all about moving forward, baby. Anyhoo, be my book buddy if you are on Good Reads, won't you please?
The other day I left a comment, on a blog, in which I referred to Wil as my fiancé. Such a highfalutin word. I don't use it often, but the differentiation between boyfriend and someone you are going to marry soon was relevant to the blog entry, I felt. Besides, I only have a few more days to use it. Then I will have to refer to him as My Husband. As in "When driving to the mall, my husband likes to point out the hookers on street corners to me."*
Or I could just call him Wil.
So, I think I am more stressed than I expected to be, considering how simple and small the ceremony is. I haven't been sleeping well, and while the things my mind is worrying about seem to be about immigration stuff, there is a new feeling of stress in my tummy I can only attribute to the fact that soon I am going to have to get dressed up and get married in front of people. It's getting married itself. I think it's just that being a bride is nerve racking.
I've been watching some bridal shows on the television lately. (My favorite is Wedding SOS on Slice, a Canadian cable channel that is so full of crap shows it's slogan is "My vice is Slice.." It's delightful. I took a quiz, on Slice, to find out what type of wedding I should have. See below.**) It would appear that being a bride gives me license for just about any kind of behavior. Serious. If you are a bride, you can freak out, make demands, tell people what to do, tell people what to wear, drink to excess, scream, cry, punch... anything. And it's all ok because YOU ARE THE BRIDE. As a groom, Wil has a lesser power. It may work on other people, but it won't work against THE BRIDE. She trumps everything. Only one person would dare challenge THE BRIDE. And that is the the less sympathetic character of mother-in-law. But that's not an issue for me.
So, I should make some demands. I've put a lot of thought into it, and the only thing I can think of: I don't have enough cake in my life. There won't be a wedding cake. And since I am a bride, I should be eating cake. Therefore, my demand is - cupcakes. I want some freakin' cupcakes and I want them NOW! Where are my MOTHER FUCKING CUPCAKES?? WHY DON'T I HAVE ANY CUPCAKES???
How's that?
*It's true. I always miss the hookers unless Wil points them out. The route to the mall passes a few popular corners.
**Viva Las Vegas! Eloping ain?t so bad and it might be an option for you. If you're not into big parties, being the centre of attention, or planning and organizing things, eloping might be a blessing for you. Just remember to tell people that you're planning on going to Vegas , maybe they'd like to come along and put money on how long you and hubby'll last.
EDITED TO ADD ANOTHER DEMAND: As THE BRIDE, I would like my new Harry Potter book NOW, rather than Saturday. I think that's doable, yes?
I think the Harry Potter/ Air Conditioning plan would have worked a little bit better had they remembered to keep the a/c on in the goram theatre! I went out before the movie and told them it was freakin' hot in there. They turned it on and it started to get better, but halfway through it started to get hot again. However, I was unable to leave to tell them to turn it on again because I was sucked into the magical land of Hogwarts.
The movie was good. Obviously, lots of stuff, from the book, has to be left out. But it wasn't too bad. We went to see it in an IMAX theatre. Part of it, the "exciting finale" was in 3-D. When the green glasses flashed on the screen, you could hear a collective "OooooOOooo!" as we all put on these giant glasses. Wil was right, it made us all look like Elton John. Wil is not a HP fan, he went to see it for me. But I think he thought it was ok. It was no Die Hard, but then few things are. Except for, you know., Die Hard.
After the movie, I realized I really did need to re-read "The Half Blood Prince" before "Deathly Hallows" comes out. Normally, I would have read "Order the Phoenix" before going to the movie, but all my books are down in the states. So I went to Chapters and bought a paperback of HBP.
When I walked up to the counter, everyone was engaged in deep discussion and it took a minute before anyone realized I was standing there. The clerk explained to me that they were preparing for the release of Deathly Hallows on the 21st. I told her I understood completely, I was doing the same thing. They asked me if I had pre-ordered and I said I had (although didn't mention it was on Amazon.com) and then I had to explain to them the incredible dilemmas I had faced while doing so. You see, the US has one cover version, and Canada/UK has another. All my books are US hardback books. Frankly, I prefer the US covers by far. But that isn't even the important part, the important part is, all my books must match.
So, what to do? Order the US version and have it shipped to my mom's house you say? Well, that is all well and good but the book comes out on the 21st. And my mom happens to be returning home to the states FROM Canada on the 21st. Who knows when she'll be back. Drive over to the border and buy one in Bellingham? Can't. And we'll talk about why I can't later. Order a US version and have it shipped to Canada? But that might take more time, everyone would have their books and be reading it, and I'd be WAITING!!
After much discussion with concerned friends and loved ones, it was decided I would buy a copy from Amazon.ca, and my mom would buy me a copy at Costco for 189%, or whatever, off, and bring it to me when she came up next. I would then donate my UK/Canadian version to the library. I took the opportunity to order the copy with the ADULT cover. The UK/Canadian releases have covers that are supposed to appeal to the Adult reader. And I am an ADULT.
The clerks wanted to know if I was going to be there at the big release party next Friday to pick up my pre-ordered book (that I did not pre-order from them) and I told that I could not, as I was getting married that day. Ooohh... isn't that wonderful! Was I going to have a Harry Potter theme wedding? Ha! Even I draw the line at that. Besides, even though he's not a HP fan, Wil seems positive that he's Slytherin. And there is no way I'm going to be caught marrying a Slytherin. In public.
I've been lax about keeping track of my reading for the last few months. Truth is, I've been reading a lot of crap. Well, not all crap. I've been buying Agatha Christie books on the ferry. Finish one, go up, grab another. But I think I've read all the AC books they stock. I've bought a lot of supermarket top 10 crap too. It hasn't been worth keeping track of. Except Agatha Christie, she's cool. So, anyhoo, one of the things I am trying to do now, in 2007, is keep better track of what I am reading, as well as reading higher quaqlity stuff. This does not include the World of Warcraft Master Guide Edition Vol. 2. Which will need to be updated when the expansion pack comes out next week anyway.
My question to you is, what are you reading? Any recommendations? I am reading a book I tried to read last year. "Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia" (Elizabeth Gilbert). I'm more successful this time around, I'll let you know what I think.
It's too hot. Too hot to do anything. Too hot to write anything. Too hot to get anything done. Too hot to be creative. Too hot to think. I'm numb with hottness.
That didn't come out right.
The point is, my super powers are at less than half power on a day like today. I am worse than sloth. Sloth sped right by me today. I hid in the darkest, coolest room in the house all day, my bedroom, drank orange juice out of frozen mugs and read. And I literally lost the day to a book. It was 10 when I started to read and then, all of the sudden, it was 4 pm. Like.... THAT!
But I just ate a popsicle, and it revived me momentarily. I think I know what I will use for a Then and Now tomorrow.
