Biggins

Yeah, so it is hard to find anything to report. I am really enjoying my Potter love fest. I am in the mid-300's.

I am also studying for my written finals in speech, my actual speech went okay, but i had that gross dry-lip smacky thing happening. How embarrassing.

I am getting ready for my tri-annual financial aid battle. It should be a good one because I forgot to photocopy my 1040...oops. I am also considering an internship, it would be nice to have something to do. than again, I think my schedule is going to be pretty rough this fall. We'll see.

So beginning Saturday, I am going to try to knock out a book a day until school starts for fall. That isn't a strict guideline though, so don't hold me to it.

Nighty night

No Spoilers

I admit it I have had Harry Potter fever. I really don't want to talk about it because for one, I am not proud that I have jumped on that band wagon. And two, I know how hard it is to avoid knowing anything about these books if you are trying to read them.

I finished Harry Potter 6, and I am on page 200 of 7. I wanted to go ahead and read the new one asap. To get it over with, and to finish before it was ruined for me.

All is well, I am putting away hundreds of pages a day. As soon as I am done with Rowling, I will continue with the Agatha Christie book so I will be back on track.

Long Book

I am still reading the 6th Harry Potter. I have barely skimmed the surface of And Then then There Were None.

So on the book front there just really isn't much to report.

On a dorkier note I was up until 2:00 playing Fable. What a tragedy, now I am too pooped to finish writing my speech, too pooped to read and really have just enough energy to play Fable, yet I shouldn't play until I am finished with my speech and my reading pre-rec for the day. (today it is 130 pages. That is pretty fast-paced in J.K. Rowling)

So the plan is to watch CBS Sunday Morning, drink my coffee and also work on speech, finish up speech, read Potter, run around and clean up apartment just enough to justify spending the rest of the day playing Fable.

Yippie

I am done with the fucktard boys! No more "team work" at school. I couldn't be happier. The presentation was a fiasco, but it is over! This semester is almost finished. Hopefully the fall will bring good things. I have really hated my return to higher education so far. There is no turning back now though, I am already up to my ears in debt. I just need to get through it.

I haven't read a page today. Not one single page. I am going to make up for it this evening since my beau is in Miami and it is just me and my vicious attack dog.

I am thinking some Harry Potter, some fancy smoked oyster hors d'oeuvre and some crappy re-runs.

Cult

I am on page 245 of the 6th Harry Potter. I don't know why I am so feverish to read it, then on to the new one. This is a new thing for me, I really wasn't one of "those" people with the Harry Potter obsession. I thought they were nifty kid's books, that's all. Maybe it is contagious. Either way, I am obsessed now.

So that is where I am at. My boyfriend is on page 400 something. I am charting his progress so I know how much closer I am to being finished with the mess forever.

On the Side

I am seconds away from finishing the Bryson book and over all I did enjoy it.

On another occasion, I knocked a soft drink on to the lap of a sweet little lady sitting beside me. The flight attendant came and cleaned her up, and brought me a replacement drink, and instantly I knocked it onto the woman again. To this day, I don't know how I did it. I just remember reaching out for the new drink and watching helplessly as my arm, like some cheap prop in one of those 1950s horror movies with a name like "The Undead Limb", violently swept the drink from its perch and onto her lap.- I'm a Stranger Here Myself- Bill Bryson

I have not been the biggest Harry Potter fan, though I have read all but book 7. However, in light of the recent movie and new book release I am re-reading book 6. It was my favorite and I am going to read 7 when my boyfriend is finished. I wanted to confess because I don't know about the rules concerning re-reading a book. It is about a million pages long so it should count. I am going to count it, unless all hell breaks loose over this decision.

Book Project
Book 7- And Then There Were None-Agatha Christi pages 204
Book 8-Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince pages 652

I watched The Hours last night. I liked the book ending better. I don't think that Laura had to explain herself. I liked conjecturing about her life. The books usually are better though.

I think I am coming down with a bit of a cold because my throat hurts and I am so lethargic. At least after Thursday things will be looking up a little regarding school. I do have another speech on Monday but it is a fun one. I am talking about Old Timey Roadside Attractions.

Toodles

Second Wind

It is my fault that I got off on the wrong foot with Bill Bryson. I thought he would be different. I had this idea of him being really cool and well traveled and much different than he is. I set him up for failure. For the first 70 pages or so, I didn't really like him. I figured him for the kind of guy that I waited tables on for years. The kind that say your name a lot while being passive aggressive then doesn't tip. And he may still be that guy, but now he has grown on me like a square friend's dad. He is more endearing when he isn't trying to be funny. When he tries too hard, I am suddenly a rebellious teen wanting to do whatever he is making fun of, just to be the far opposite of whatever "thing" he can't understand. I have a bit of a daddy issue.

I am on page 179. Still moving slow, but I think I will make speedy work of the next few books. I should have reading time this week.

Updates: My dog is doing great. No more blood baths. The horrible group project at school is in writing but I won't be finished with the final presentation until Thursday. It will be an embarrassing fiasco. I am actually looking forward to it a little. It will be the grand finale to a horrible experiment in communications. Ironically it IS a communications course.

Poll for book 10

Okay, so I am going to start polling for books ahead, so I can slip some in that I want to read for sure.

I am still behind due to all my school stuff right now, but it will even out. I am on page 63 of Bryson. I am not going to say I don't like his weird superior, yet humble-acting attitude because I am sick of being so negative. Everyone loves Bill Bryson, right? I am sick of complaining.

Here are the Book 10 choices:

Dress you Family in Corduroy and Denim- David Sedaris Uproarious Hilarity pages 257

Auntie Mame- Patrick Denis Little Boy is raise by a nutty madcap aunt in the 50's pages 254

The Epicure's Lament-Kate Christiansen A snobbish hermit/epicure smokes, schemes and sexually manipulates...need I say more? pages 351

'Tis- Frank McCourt Continuation of Irish Life p 367

Fluids

Okay, my pup is getting better, and so, I am getting better too. The Hours was the worst book I could have possibly read right now, but I loved it.

Still, she loves the world, and she knows other people must love it too, poor as well as rich, though no one speaks specifically of the reasons. Why else do we struggle to go on living, no matter how compromised, no matter how harmed? Even if were further gone than Richard; even if we're fleshless, blazing with lesions, shitting in the streets; still, we want desperately to live.-The Hours, Michael Cunningham

Book Project
Book 6: I'm A Stranger Here Myself- Bill Bryson p 288

Hopefully I will start this tonight, but I have a BUST magazine I have been trying to slip in. The thing about this reading thing is that whenever I read anything else, I feel like I am wasting time. I need to stick to the plan, there will be blogs and magazines in the future, right now I am about the books. We will see about that.

My infinitely wise fella suggested that I have my polls last longer, so after this one, I am going to just poll every other book. And I am open to suggestions too.

Tonight should be okay. My dog is getting better, my stupid school issue is resolved for the next 48 hours and my fridge is full of Yuengling, so why do I feel so blue? Thanks The Hours, thanks a lot.

Sicko

My dog is very sick, so everyone pray, dance, laugh, meditate and ponder for her to get better, please. She is my whole world. She spend the day at the hospital and now she is at home with me for the night, but I have to take her back in early tomorrow for fluids and what not. I have a long night ahead of me.

I had to end the poll a little early, but the winner for book 6 is I'm A Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson.

Also the poll is at the bottom of this page for book 7. The contenders are:

The Terminal Man- Michael Crichton p.261- A guy gets electrodes put in his head to cure headaches and he goes on a homicidal rampage.

And Then There Were None- Agatha Christie p204- Classic murder mystery, one by one the guests die...wauh ha ha. (Dracula Laugh)

Under The Tuscan Sun- Frances Mayes p 280- A divorcee finds new life in Tuscan Villa.

For Whom The Bell Tolls- Ernest Hemingway p 471- Mountains of Spain, war, guerrillas, lovely Spanish ladies and Papa Hemingway's signature style.


I won't poll for all the books, I want to pick some of them. But it is fun to be involved, isn't it?
I am about 50 pages until the end of The Hours. It was remarkable timing. I have had some seriously dark days, all will be right soon, I hope.

Better Now

Okay, I was a mess yesterday. Too too much stress. And did I mention my dog was sick. I had to take her out to poo every hour for the last 3 days. She is at the doggie hospital now.

Last night I had a beer, a steak and some dark chocolate and managed to wake up ready to live today and NOT put my head in the oven. I still have many horrible obligations to this school issue. (I hate hate hate teamwork assignments) But with my puppy in good hands, and some advising from my guardian angel, I am more up to the tasks.

Today I read up to page 141, and I am confident that I will finish by the weekend. The poll with close tonight by midnight so don't forget to vote at the bottom of the page. The Hours is great. It makes me want to fill my apartment with fresh flowers and think depressing thoughts while contemplating how blessed I am. It is that kind of book.

Distractions

Things aren't going well in the reading department this week so far. I am only on page 76 of the hours, so I am 112 pages behind my imaginary quota. I really am enjoying the book though. It is beautiful and just the kind of book I had in mind when this all started. I wanted to read thought-provoking books that would help me evolve a little. But who can stand that all the time? We all need fluff in our lives sometimes.

School is a beast this week. Group projects bite. That is the major hold up right now, so just bear with me. In the morning I wake up dreading the day, I then suffer through endless hours of diplomatic stale mate decisions that get us nowhere, I have about 50 panic attacks and a few pity parties on the phone with my long distance friends. (Thank God for Courtney) Then I settle in for an evening of being brain dead and not even graceful stories about Virginia Woolf and friends can pull me out of this funk. Sorry. I will catch up when school is out in 2 weeks.

Help Me

Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to vote on the next book. This is actually the hardest part, deciding what to read next. I have a ton I plan on including, but the order is unknown, so you can help me in that department. Each time I plan on throwing in a book I hadn't planned on reading, my closest friends will know what that is. I can gauge what you want to hear about, and how sadistic you can be. Don't get offended if I don't like your choice, I am crabby, jaded and usually not known for my good taste.

Next

Hey. I am done. My brain feels fried from all the school work I had to catch up today, and then reading almost 1oo pages of Salinger non-stop. I don't know if I really liked book 4 or not. Salinger kind of hits me like that sometimes, I may not know for years. Then suddenly, I will think,"I need to read that part about Seymour's tie again."

Okay, the rest of the afternoon is dedicated making an afghan and watching movies.

By the way, I have been asked, "How on earth do you read so much? Do you just skim?" No. I really do read every word. I am a notoriously fast reader. (thanks to childhood escapism and my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Dunn!) But also, at this particular point in time, I am in 2 classes and have no job. Plus, I ride the bus which makes for hours of waiting and riding, waiting and riding. It helps that I keep farmer's hours, so I read chapters and chapters before you little dreamlets are even awake. Trust me, come fall, things will be a'changin. I will be in school full time, and probably having regular panic attacks. This is my normal. That is why the need for speed in these lazy summer days.

The announcer had them off on the subject of housing developments, and the little Burke girl said she hated houses that all looked alike- meaning a long row of identical 'development' houses. Zooey said they were 'nice'. He said it would be very nice to come home and be in the wrong house. To eat dinner with the wrong people by mistake, sleep in the wrong bed by mistake, and kiss everybody good-bye in the morning thinking they were your own family. He said he even wished everybody in the world looked exactly alike. He said you'd keep thinking everybody you met was your wife or your mother or father, and people would always be throwing their arms around each other wherever they went, and it would look 'very nice'.-Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour an Introduction- J.D. Salinger

Book Project
Book 5: The Hours-Michael Cunningham pages:228

Failure

I maybe read 25 pages today. My beau and I spent all day building a gazebo in his backyard.
I just can't muster up the energy to read Salinger right now. This is my first really sad reading day, but we all gotta live, right? Some days you need manual labor, a pizza and your fella. I will make it up.

Salinger

I love J.D. Salinger. I didn't for a long time. The first time I read The Cather in the Rye I hated it. Years later, a good friend convinced me to try Franny and Zooey and I have been hooked ever since. I have since read Catcher 2 more times, and I like it now, but only because it reminds me of Franny. I finished raise the roof, Carpenters, and will probably read Seymour: An Introduction later tonight. Though it wasn't my favorite story, I can help adoring just because it involves the Glass family, they can do no wrong in my eyes.

I find that so far this reading contest is changing my life little bits. I am meeting strangers, I am falling behind on housework, and my TIVO is desperate for my attention. I normally watch hours and hours of TV. I know to most people, especially the literary and music snobs that surround me, that is appalling. But I am a full-time student with all the perks that entails. Long hours of monotonous work and very very little cash flow. There isn't a whole lot left over, for pricey nights out on the town, so TIVO has been my entertainment/comfort of choice. Plus, this is the first time I've ever had cable, and everything is interesting to me. I don't feel guilty, I have loved my hours of Little People, Big World while I work on Calculus.

That being said, I am down to about 2 hours a day, and that is in the morning. I am obsessed with the reading thing. I am cutting back this week though because I am about to be overwhelmed with massive amounts of school work.

P. 104 book 4

Behind

I had a crap day at school so I got super behind, but I am going to breeze through Bookends tonight and start book 3. I do think that I may have had an epiphany and want my own bookstore one day. I guess if I do start one, I will thank this cruddy book after all.

Look at me. I am sprawled on the sofa, one leg flung over the back, crap sitcoms that I'd never admit to watching blaring from the television screen, and I'm cramming soft rice cakes topped with plastic-effect cheese and a healthy dollop of hummus (scooped from the tub by my finger, I'll have you know) on the top. I'm slurping the coffee because it's too hot, and the only reason I can do any of this is because I'm on my own.- Bookends-Jane Green

Book Project
Book 4(which is dedicated my beautiful friend Silvia): Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction- J.D. Salinger pages: 213

Dumb Chick Lit

I can dig Chick Lit. The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher is one of my favorite books of all time. The Thorn Birds, don't get me started. I still feel guilty for even glancing at priests because of that one. We all know my feelings for Amy Tan, and I can even get into the odd cheesy romance novel if I like the setting and the word "mound" is used with caution.

That being said, I can not tolerate a narrating female character that is self-loathing. In Bookends the main character Cath is constantly referring to herself as a filthy pig, or calling her hair, pubic hair or talking about how she is filthy. What the fuck is that? Have some self-respect. The book isn't awful, but she is awful and I hate reading her thoughts. I am so sad that women must identify with her. Try reading Catherine Neville books, now those are some real women.

I am on page 219, and hope to announce book 4 tomorrow.

Finished

Okay I finally finished The Opposite of Fate last night. It wasn't that it wasn't good, but her writing can be too rich, it can give you a tummy ache.

I write because I have been in love with words since I was a child. I hoarded words from the thesaurus and the dictionary as though they were magic stones, toys, treasures. I loved metaphors and used them before I knew what the word meant. I thought of metaphors as secret passageways that took me to hidden rooms in my heart, and my memory as the dreamy part of myself that lived in another world. I played with my memory of both real and imaginary life the way girls play with their Barbies and boys with their penises. I dressed it up, changed it a dozen times, manipulated it, tugged it, wondered if it would enlarge and pulsate until others noticed it too. I thought of it as a weapon, a secret, a sin, an incorrigible vice. The Opposite of Fate: a Book of Musings, Amy Tan

I am in need of lighter, or at least less self-examining books. Coelho and Tan make me talk to myself. Suddenly I am narrating in my head all day and it is ridiculous. I talk to myself in the shower about my mother' mistakes being in my DNA, and I get weird ideas about who in my life is a "messenger". I almost read this book about Joseph Campbell next, I think that would have done me in and I would have quit school again so I could study archetypes in middle America or something.

I am on page 96 of Bookends.

Multitasking

Well, usually I read more than 1 book at a time. I have one I tote around on the bus, 1 I read in bed because it is too big to carry all day, and a throw-away crappy book I can read in the tub or pool. (Because I have dropped them more than once causing the dreaded engorged puffy book syndrome.) Then there are always the books that really can't be read straight through, whether they are short stories, poetry books or just kinda shitty-I always have a stack of those piled up somewhere too.

So on that note, I am introducing a new book to the rotation.
The Amy Tan book is gigantic, and makes for back issues when it is coupled with my laptop and various other beastly textbooks.

Book Project
Book 3: Bookends-Jane Green pages 358

I actually started this book yesterday, but the first 45 pages were pure torture, so I threw it in my pile of books to trade in at the used-book store. I hate it when an author introduces too many characters in the first couple of pages, and though I love most British humor, sometimes I am really turned of by their liberal usage of tampons as a metaphor. But several hours later, I was still wondering about certain characters, and that was reason enough to give it another try. I officially started enjoying this book on page 57. The cover is embarrassing though.

Brain Dead

Well, I didn't realize how much that speech took out of me until I tried to read another story about Tan's mother, I am completely wrecked. I am going to make small attempts to read this evening, but will make up for it later in the week. I have to remind myself, it is 100 books a year, my year just started, I shouldn't panic if I don't read hundreds of pages a day.

I told one of the Neanderthals in my group that I was trying to read 100 books in a year, and he said, "that isn't bad, what is that a book a day?" Argh.

I am officially brain fried from writing my speech for tomorrow, and reading way too much about the making of The Joy Luck Club. I have hit a bit of a lull in the middle of this book and it is rough. I did make it to page 214, so I am satisfied with that for tonight. I am going to read my BUST magazine and watch The Next Food Network Star.

So far I recommend The Pilgrimage to hippie types that like the Carlos Casteneda-type stuff, and The Opposite of Fate to people who love Amy Tan, I mean reallly love Amy Tan.

Outta Mind

I didn't make a ton of progress today. I wrote my speech and went to see Blades of Glory. It was very funny. I had a wonderful day with my fella, and I didn't think too much about this daunting task. I did, however, buy 5 books at Goodwill.

I am on page 101 of the Amy Tan book as of 8:21 pm. I plan on reading a little bit more, but my TIVO is getting jealous. I have my stories to catch up on, not to mention my latest addiction to ER reruns. For some reason I am a sucker for a show once it is in syndication and I can see whole seasons in a weekend. I will watch a marathon of anything.

I had forgotten how much I love Amy Tan. I haven't read her most recent book, yet. I have missed her. Next I will have to read something light, these rich, soul searching books are making me feel heavy.

Nighty Night

Good Morning

Okay, The next book is a little on the hefty side, but I was so excited to get it at the $1.00 store. It will be rough to lug around so, hopefully I can finish the bulk of it this weekend, and not have to schlep it uphill to school with me next week.

I have a speech to give on Monday and a test Tuesday, so we can't expect a miracle. I am making today a reading day, and tomorrow homework day. Then I will fill in the cracks with the rest of my life somehow. I am hoping to develop some serious multitasking tools.

Book Project
Book 2: The Opposite of Fate- Amy Tan pages 398

Progress

Okay, I am a little behind where I wanted to be already, but I did make some progress. The Pilgrimage got way too hippie mystical for my taste, thus slowing me down. But I have soldiered through and will be finished tonight. Tomorrow morning I will announce book 2.

Today was rough, I have realized that some days I may not feel like reading. Also I remembered reading once that it is better to know 1 book intimately than many fleetingly. Maybe I am not paying these books the respect they deserve. I will keep all this in mind. It is important that I enjoy, learn and absorb some of the books I read.

Everything in our surroundings reflected an uneasy peace, the peace of a world that was still in the process of growing and being created- a world that seemed to know that, in order to grow, it had to continue moving along, always moving along. Great earthquakes and killer storms might make nature seem cruel, but I could see that these were just the vicissitudes of being on the road. Nature itself journeyed, seeking illumination. The Pilgrimage

I went to a used bookstore tonight and stocked up for the weeks ahead, suggestions are welcome but keep in mind, I have many reasons for not choosing to read certain books. (length, already read, etc..)

The Morning After...

Well, this morning I thought better of this idea. I figured that it wasn't so important after all, and that it was ridiculous. And then.....none other than Julie Powell commented on this blog. I was giddy and starstruck and also felt a horrible sense of dread. Now I really feel this sense of a mission.

My people and I are in the process of coming up with guidelines which I will post at some point. I need some basic rules to make it all fair.

Today went well, I am on page 150 and still have a couple hours to read tonight. The Pilgrimage is hokey in ways and beautiful in others. It isn't my cup of tea, but it is worth reading for some of the life observations.

Project

I am a notorious list maker. Books I have read, movies I want to see, clothing I will buy as soon as I graduate, etc... I have always had to write things down to think clearly or get my head straight. I have mountains of un-done to-do lists and years worth of music that I still haven't downloaded. It is a crying shame I am not a great writer because writing has been the great constant in my life. The list making habit is harmless, I never feel guilt or remorse about my unfinished tasks, it is the process.

But I just finished reading Julie and Julia by Julia Powell. This book struck a nerve with me. I read it in 2 days and cried through the last 15 pages. I was crying because it was so poignant and meaningful to me right now. I am 30, I feel useless and tired most of the time, and I want so much to accomplish something for myself. I admire her so much. When I was finished with the book I felt this horrible emptiness, like I had shared in this endeavor, but had felt none of the accomplishment.

The next morning (this morning) I was entering my "read" books into the goodreads website and I realized that I had read 72 books in a little over a year. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I read like a champ. I was wondering if I should try for 100 this year. Say by next 4th of July. I also wonder if there are others out there that were inspired by Julie to challenge themselves.

So I am going to challenge myself. I am not taking this too seriously; after all, I have been in college for 12 years. I am not exactly someone who finishes things. But now I have written it down, and told my boyfriend (who incidently bought me 5 books today) I will have a few cheats, a few graphic novels, a few kids books, but I will try to balance it out with some biggies too like Infinite Jest and Mason/Dixon.

I don't think I will make it, but what if I do? How would that feel?

Book Project
Book 1: The Pilgrimage- Paul Coehlo pages-265

What's Worse?

I am so ashamed. For the past half hour I have been thrashing around my apartment half in tears, half hysterical. I have been listening to The Fray's How to Save a Life repeatedly until melting into a slump on the floor. Why the theatrics? Some break-up, death or major loss? No, the kids at school are mean to me. I know how stupid this is, but for the past 18 months I have been back in school full time and I don't see anyone all day except these 19 year old fuckers. I can' t help but wonder if it was all that bad being a truck stop waitress. At least, was the cutest, smartest and most charming. Now I am the oldest, lamest and most annoying.

The only friends I have live states and time-zones away. They are more pen pals than friends now anyway. I have no one to talk to and it is starting to build up. It is normally not THIS big of a deal. Okay, I am not in my 20's anymore. I am pretty proud of that actually. These fucktard little shits all treat me like an antique, or a bitch and the latest some nagging mom figure. I want to quit. At least when I had no aspirations except which cocktails I was going to drink after pulling a double, I felt that false sense of belonging that you get from dive bars. I miss that. Again, I was a barfly, but I was the cutest, the smartest and most likely to do something like go to college.

There are worse things to be than a 30 year old truck stop waitress surrounded by drunken heros that adore her. Like for instance, a 30 year old student with no allies, alone in the collegiate wasteland where group work is the latest competitive tool to get you to kill each other.

I am a cry baby. It is just built up. I don't even know what about today stands out. The sucking just got really shitty today.