Kid in the proverbial Candy Store

Tuesday was especially depressing, I don't have classes and my coworkers avoid me (all science nerds still scared of girls). So mostly I don't talk to anyone and I read enough textbooks to make one dizzy and incomprehensible. I wanted to do something fun and out of the ordinary, I remembered the Gift Card to Barnes and Noble in my pocket that I got for my birthday from my sister-in-law and brother. Eternally grateful, I set off after work.

I love books, I'm always looking for used classics from Plato to Sinclair Lewis. I don't always read books right away, but since my all night stint with "Twilight" the other night, I think I'm ready to jump back in to literature.

I wandered around the store for 20 minutes, I found tons of books that I love, all the books I ever read in High School were displayed on one table. Unfortunately I already own most of those. I went to the Barnes and Noble brand classic books, they're usually cheaper but contain the same words, so I'm happy. I saw one that I wanted and didn't have yet, but nothing else really grabbed my fancy. I thought about "Harpo Speaks" the autobiography of Harpo Marx, which I loved but haven't been able to find anywhere. When I went to ask someone to look it up, I glanced over and saw "A Girl Named Zippy," the book Jan raved about. I also bought "Utopia" by Sir Thomas More, and can't wait to start that, especially considering I just read "Animal Farm." It will be interesting to see any parallels.

Some Reviews

Twilight
The other night Ben was on a campout and I had complete control of the house, including the remote control. Unfortunately around 7:30 the power went out. So I picked up "Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer, a book that I had gotten a few years ago but had yet to read. I see people reading it everywhere and felt I could no longer be left out. So I picked it up, at 1:30 in the morning, I finished. It was good, not too heavy and graciously large print. My concerns about the plot is their motives for falling in love, it reminds me of Notting Hill; was there any substantial reason they fell in love or was it just because she's a movie star? Anyway, I thought it was good (obviously or I wouldn't have stayed up so late reading it) but not fantastic. Also, I don't understand the cover picture, it really doesn't make sense. and also, I was afraid I would have nightmares.

Bridge to Terabithia
Ben and I went on a date to see this movie at the dollar theater. We both really liked it. For those of you concerned about the Fantasy-esque look of the trailers, don't worry, it's not a theme. For those of you afraid that it won't do the book justice, don't worry, it's right on with the book and I cried in all the same places. I really thought they did a great job, which I see as a tribute to Katherine Paterson in writing the book. The actors are wonderful, you may remember the girl from such films as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", I certainly didn't, because she was nothing like Violet in this movie. We loved it, please go see it or rent it or buy it. And buy the book while you're at it, it's a classic.

Need I say more?

I love Pig.

Unlikely Animal Control.

Today I was looking out the window in our bedroom at the quail playing in and around the window well. I went into the hall for a minute and when I came back there was a little baby quail running around the window well. He was probably the size of a...baby...bird.
Well, let's say smaller than a computer mouse.
He was very small and it became evident that he would not be making it out of there on his own. Ben and I sprang to action, Ben went outside prepared with a long-handled dust pan and some blackberries. He first attempted to entice the chick into the dustpan but panic levels had increased insomuch that the baby bird was running away from Ben at all costs. After a few other methods were rejected, Ben jumped in the window well and succeeded in cornering the small creature into the dust pan and he popped it back to surface level. The family of quail waiting nervously scurried away and there was much rejoicing. Ben said he would have never recovered if the poor creature had been stuck there forever.

Attitude Realignment

When I was in Middle School, I realized that the favorite topic of conversation common to all people was talking about themselves. Once I realized this, I decided to play along and encourage the trend.
I resolved never to start sentences with the word 'I' and to avoid placing myself as the subject of any sentence. Instead, in conversation I focused on asking people how they were doing, what they thought of things and basically allowed them to talk about themselves to their hearts content.
In doing this I have found that people enjoy my company more, my humility has increased, and I have learned much about humanity. It also makes it difficult to blog about anything really relevant or important (I think). Anyway, maybe we should all try focusing less on ourselves and more on those around us.

Elves?

I continue to be disappointed in the lack of blogging elves helping me out.

We made it home from Boston, a little poorer and wiser too, it was fun but I'm definitely glad to be home again.
My birthday is tomorrow, I'll be 22 years of age. Last year on my birthday, we were driving back from our Honeymoon and debated spending some of my birthday in Vegas doing things only 21 year-olds can do. Like renting carpet shampooers... We didn't, I don't really like Vegas at all. We don't have big plans, mostly because we have almost no money, due to a vacation and a significant tuition bill hanging over our heads.
I'm in school for the summer, taking some required classes and hoping to pass, I'm already behind in the readings, and frantically trying to keep up. I'm also the TA for the Middle Eastern History Class, which necessitates some reading as well.

We're happy and healthy though, and we wish all the mothers a happy day!