Summer Reading At Last

Hey everyone! I'd been through a bit of a dry spell for the past month or so when it came to reading. I stopped and started several books. I then lucked into one and received a few others on loan from Jen. Here's a summary of a few I've enjoyed of late:

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. Several months ago I read about a project in the works to retell some old myths in a modern way. I stumbled upon The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood at the library. In the intro I found that Canongate Books is spearheading this project and in the next few years several other books in the series will be coming out - at least one already is Weight, by Jeanette Winterson (the re-telling of Atlas). I was also thrilled to learn that Donna Tartt will be retelling one of the myths. This was wonderful news as it took her at least a decade to come out with her second book (much loved by me) The Little Friend. So now I won't have to wait another decade to read something by Tartt.

The Penelopiad is the first in the series and it tells the story of Odysseus and Penelope from her standpoint. All I really remembered about Penelope was that she had to wait at home for years for Odysseus while he was off having adventures. The story tells how she ends up married to him in the first place, what she did while waiting and what she thought of the whole thing. Not surprisingly, she wasn't too thrilled. It throws in lots of bits I didn't know such as Penelope was cousin to Helen of Troy and upon Odysseus's return 12 maids were killed. The maids serve as a chorus in the book and tell a bit of the story as well. If you're a fan of mythology, or just want to brush up on it a bit, you should enjoy this book.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon is one of the books Jen loaned me. I had seen this book in the bookstore of course, but never felt the need to pick it up. Something about the cover or title didn't click with me. But after the first few pages, I was hooked. I read this book last weekend and that's pretty much ALL I wanted to do. Luckily it was pretty, so I got to spend lots of time in the hammock. Bliss is the only word that comes to mind. Curious tells the story of 15 year-old Christopher, an English autistic boy who lives with his father. It opens with the killing of a neighbor's poodle. Christopher is determined to solve the mystery. He believes he can do this because he's extremely smart - especially at math. The book is told from Christopher's perspective and his voice is so distinct and original. I couldn't believe how refreshing it was. Many things I read that i enjoy even, just don't have that distinctive of a voice. This book had it. There are a few twists thrown in and though you can imagine how trying he must be to be around in person, on the written page you can do nothing but root for him and pray things turn out okay. I cannot recommend Curious more highly. It is compulsively readable.

Charmed Thirds by Megan Mccafferty is the third in the Jessica Darling series. I really enjoyed the two predecessors to this book, Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings and was surprised to find a third was already published. Mccafferty made the news a couple of months ago when it was discovered that debut novelist and Harvard student Kaavya Viswanathan, plagarized some passages from her. I can see why she did so. Mccafferty can turn quite a good phrase and she's very creative. All three of these books are page-turners. Thirds tells what happens when Jessica goes to Columbia and her erstwhile boyfriend Marcus heads west to go to Buddhist school. This leads to much angst and depression. There's not too much to be happy about in Charmed. While this tendency was also present in the first two of the series, this is to be expected and almost celebrated since Jessica was in high school. But once you're in college, there are lots of things to be happy about, so her endless moaning and complaining started grating on my nerves. That said though, I had little trouble finishing this book in lightning-quick speed. I underststand that Mccafferty is already writing the fourth in this series. I think it's time to put it to rest and start with something fresh.

Happy reading. Pls forward any good suggestions you have to me!

-sunday

The British are Coming!

Hey everyone! I had a real treat last weekend. My old friend from SMU, Stacia came into town for a few days with her wonderful fiancé Dean. They were driving cross country on their way to LA and paid us a visit. It was wonderful catching up with her, as I haven’t seen her too much in several years because she’s been living in London. Seems to be a trend for my friends. To top it off, Dean is English so I got to satisfy my curiosity about all things British. I am very appreciative of most things British (books and movies and Churchill and Blair, in particular), so this was quite exciting for me. Here are a few things I learned from him and Stacia:

• The British really do like football (soccer). The World Cup was on while they were here and Dean watched bits and pieces. He was very caught up in the spectacle and was rooting for England, Australia and the USA in that order.

• Stacia said the English do deserve their “reserved” label. They have a stiff upper lip about almost everything but football. That’s where they let out all of their emotions. After a tough game, there sometimes won’t be a dry eye in the pub.
• The English do not tend to get involved with people outside their inner circle – those they’ve known forever. And it’s still a classist society. The likelihood of Cinderella stories is not good.
• English people consider curry their national dish. And they like it spicy. At Rhumba Dean ordered his killer hot. I guess this is never done, because the chef came out to check on him. Dean wasn’t fazed though and said he’s had hotter.
• English people are more eloquent than Americans (no surprise there).
• The English don't like imposing on others in any way, shape or form. Dean's comparison of an American drowning and asking for help and an Englishman was particularly hilarious. Basically 3 words versus a treatise.
• English people are very suspicious of anything that's supposed to be on sale. So that's why they never have sales in their stores and tend to avoid Ebay.
  
• English people prefer to be called English rather than British, as it’s more specific. This has always confused me – I’ll blame it on my lack of a geography class. I have actually been to London twice and Brighton once, so I can’t imagine why I didn’t get this down then, but for all those in a similar state, here’s a summary:
• People in the UK are called British although they have different nationalities
• Great Britain is comprised of England, Scotland and Wales
• The UK's full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• Countries in the UK are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• The British Isles are made up of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and a whole bunch of other small islands
• Some English people (at least 1) prefer coffee over tea. This was a nice surprise as almost everyone I know refuses to share a cup with me

I’m sure I picked up many more particulars, but they escape me at the moment. We did our best to show them around the area. This included taking the top off the Jeep and driving up to Estes Park to check out the Stanley Hotel. I’ve driven past it several times but never gone in. it reminded me a bit of Hotel Colorado. I would definitely like to spend the night there one night. Though signs warned against it, we snuck upstairs to find room 237. The scary room from The Shining. But get this……it didn’t exist! Pretty creepy, eh? The only other weird thing was empty room after empty room set up with long tables covered with white cloth. In front of each table was one chair placed just so. Stacia speculated that some sort of Scientology experiment was in progress. Before we got converted, w left to have a snack on the front porch of the hotel and enjoy the view. It was a gorgeous day. We then drove the Peak to Peak highway back through Gold Hill. Thomas took advantage of this opportunity and we somehow ended careening up on dirt roads alongside huge drop-offs with no guardrails. Around Gold Hill there were a couple of forest fires and we saw one helicopter pouring water onto a fire. We ended the night on Pearl Street, eating at Rhumba and being entertained by the Boulder hippies and buskers.

Stacia and Dean are in LA now. They are both writers. Stacia of novels and screenplays (she has one of a giant squid that has adapted to exist in a lake in KS where it terrifies the locals that sounds like it’s going to be awesome) and Dean of screenplays (I won’t give away his ideas here. No spoilers to be found). So good luck to Stacia and Dean. I hope you both make it big in the city where dreams come true and invite me to your premieres.

Boulder Bumpersticker of the Day: Bring Back Capitalism.

-sunday

NYC Pics

Hey everyone, We finally got our pics off our camera from the June trip to NYC. Here's Thomas and me at the greatest building in the world! And some others of us all in NYC - including shopping at Bloomindales, our hotel, the Studio 54 Theatre, etc.

-sunday

Big Apple Revisited

Hey everyone! This weekend I got to return to that greatest city in the world, New York. This time with Thomas, Marlene and Allison. We arrived Friday afternoon in the midst of a rainstorm but didn't let that stop us. We pricelined our hotel and lucked out with The W on 49th and Lex. It rocked! The rooms were small (but who stays in your room in NYC except to sleep), but it had tons of amenities from Bliss Spa, which has a store inside the hotel, and a modern, swanky lobby/bar where they are happy to serve you $8 amstel lites. Yes, we indulged and yes, it was worth it.

Three blocks down from The W is my fav building ever and Thomas's inspiration for my wedding ring, The Chrysler Building. I'd actually never been inside it before so we decided this was the ideal time. Although we weren't able to make it to the top to see the offices (think Aviator) the lobby alone was worth the trip. The ceiling is comprised of one of the world's largest murals entitled, "Energy, Result, Workmanship and Transportation," by Edward Turnbull. The mural was inspired by man's achievement and love of enterprise. Very Fountainhead. When the building was completed it was the tallest in the world between 1929 and 1931. Per this source, in what was certainly one of the greatest secrets and publicity coups in Manhattan real estate history, the famous stainless steel top was installed to the public's utter surprise in about 90 minutes in November, 1929. The tip of spire was 1046 feet high. The stainless steel cladding had been hidden in five pieces within the building's shell and was hoisted out of the top of the building and riveted into place. Can you just imagine walking out of your apartment one day and looking up and suddenly seeing that spire, virtually appearing out of nowhere? What a gift to the city! Also a joy to behold were the marble floors and the gorgeous Art Deco elevators. I envy the people who get to work in that building. Funnily enough, we met an extremely talkative lady from Alabama who'd come to check out the building. Her son just graduated from law school and is set to join a practice whose offices are in the Chrysler building. Lucky guy.

After that, we continued our Art Deco architecture tour and visited the Waldorf Astoria. It's also a gorgeous building, particularly the lobby. We decided to have dinner at Oscars there and enjoyed the Veal Oscar and of course, a Waldorf salad which was especially delicious. The entire time I ate it I thought of the hilarious Fawlty Towers ep where a group of Americans come in and demand this dish of the beleaguered Fawlty.

The next day we headed downtown on the subway for breakfast at The Cupping Room. A relaxed cafe in Soho that has great atmosphere and serves delicious food. Cyd introduced me to it and I've been there twice before in the past year. Anyway, while I was there one of the waiters remembered me from these visits and was extremely kind. I go to Zolo in Boulder at least once a month and this has yet to happen to me there. And people say New Yorkers are rude. This was so not our experience on this trip. After breakfast we shopped some in Soho and then headed to the new Apple store on Fifth Avenue - The Glass Cube - a beauty to behold. Once inside I sent emails just because I could while Thomas marveled at the genius bar. Apple has got it down.

Next was our first Broadway musical, The Light in the Piazza at Lincoln Center. Marlene sent me a first edition of the book earlier in the year. The musical is based on the book by Mississippi author, Elizabeth Spencer. It restored my faith in musicals! I think it ties with Rent as my favorite musical ever. It won five much-deserved Tonys last year, including Best Music, Best Lead Actress for the divine Victoria Clark, and Best Scenic and Costume Design. The story, the performers, the sets and the music were beyond wonderful. Light takes you through a range of emotions from humor to heartbreak. I cannot recommend this one more. Hopefully it will have a traveling show. We then had an early dinner at a fab Italian joint called Cafe Fiorello where Thomas and I split a wonderful proscuitto pizza and a pear salad.

Finally we ventured to our next musical, Threepenny Opera, showing at Studio 54. My expectations for this one were extremely high because starring in it were Cindy Lauper, Alan Cumming and our fav, Nellie McKay. This was a revival of the Bertl Brecht work and the only song you're likely to have heard of from it is Mac the Knife. Things started out poorly when we were crammed into seats with legroom that made United Economy seem extremely generous. Things got worse when the depressed looking cast appeared on a poorly lit stage. And they kept getting worse as all the music sounded like a funeral dirge. All I can say is Brecht and this revival's adaptor, Wallace Shawn, must both be a couple of extremely depressed people. The story and the direction of this show were beyond horrible. Allison, Marlene and I were all up for leaving at intermission, but Thomas somehow enjoyed Threepenny's twisted, satirical world. I do have to say that Cumming and McKay were great performers, as were scene stealers Jim Dale (voice of all the Harry Potter audio books) and Brian Charles Rooney as cross-dresser Lucy. Lauper was a disappointment. We decided the seats were so uncomfortable to prevent you from falling asleep and escaping the visual and auditory torture.

The next morning we were joined for brunch at Heartbeat, the hotel's restaurant, by Thomas's aunts and diehard New Yorkers, Mary Ellen and Anne. A good time was had by all. Unfortunately we had to leave around 12:30 for our 2 pm flight. Tho it turned out this wasn't really necessary given the 5 pm departure time thanks to United's mechanical problems. They don't make it easy for you, but delays and all, I wouldn't have missed this trip for the world.

-sunday

The Best of TV, The Worst of TV

Hey everyone! Now that it's June 1, the 2005/2006 television season is officially over. So it's time for this year's Sundays, a list of awards voted on by an elite group of tv-savvy people (that'd be me with Thomas occasionally pitching in when I bugged him enough).

Best Show on TV: The Office
Best Soap Masquerading as a Drama: Grey's Anatomy
Best Unwatched Show: Thief
Best Last Hope for the Human Race: Battlestar Gallactica
Best Reality Show: America's Next Top Model
Most Overrated Show: Desperate Housewives
Best Season Finale - Sitcom: The Office
Best Season Finale - Drama: Lost
Best Series Finale: TBD (I've yet to see either West Wing's, Alias's or Everwood's, but it will be one of the three)
Most Unrealistic Season Finale: Prison Break
Worst Season Finale: House (a show I usually ADORE, but save me from the Dream Episode please!)
Worst Series Finale: Will & Grace
Best Comeback: West Wing
Best Cast: Grey's Anatomy
Show Most Likely to Annoy Thomas: Real World
Most Wanted in a Time of Crisis: The Unit
Most Disappointing Sophomore Season: Veronica Mars
Most Disappointing 6th Season: Gilmore Girls
Biggest Shock: The last minute of Lost
Best TV Husband: Joe DuBois, Medium
Best TV Kid: Bridget DuBois, Medium
Least Likely to Agree with You: Gregory House, House
Best Use of the English Language: Al Swearengen, Deadwood
Sexiest Redneck: Sawyer, Lost
Best Married Couple: Allison and Joe, Medium
Best Potential Couple: Jim and Pam (Jam), The Office
Most Unlikely Couple: Dwight and Angela, The Office
Most Disappointing Couple: Luke and Lorelei, Gilmore Girls
Best Sidekick: Rose, Dr. Who
Most Surprising Death(s): Ana Lucia and Libby, Lost
Best Kiss: Jim and Pam, The Office Season Finale
Most Annoying Brother: Randy, My Name is Earl
Best Starcrossed Lovers: Seth Bullock and Alma Garret, Deadwood
Best Reconciliation: Veronica and Logan, Veronica Mars
Most Looked Forward to Summer Show: Deadwood
Most Looked Forward to Summer Show if you don't get HBO (e.g., Me): The Hills, MTV

-sunday