I was really good about documenting my reading, then I started grad school and that's fallen off. I do read, although not as much as I'd like. So I think I'm going to forego the amazon links (if you'd like them, please use the search box above and I'll get a portion of your purchase which will buy me school books).

And away we go in no particular order except the order in which I remember them.

The Ruins by Scott Smith. So I saw a preview for the film version around Christmas time and got this just in time for my Iowa trip. I read it on the way there and ugh, what a pain. Third rate suspense, characters I had no sympathy for. It may have colored my crappy mood when I arrived in Iowa.

The Learners by Chip Kidd. A follow up to The Cheese Monkeys, but easily stands alone (although I'd recommend the Cheese Monkeys just so you aren't blindsided by the appearance of Himillsy Dodd). It takes something you learned in High School psychology and shows the other side. Redemption, guilt, all that fun stuff. I loved it, and was glad to have Happy back in my life for a short time.

The Sweet Potato Queens' First Big-Ass Novel: Stuff We Didn't Actually Do, but Could Have, and May Yet by Jill Conner Brown and Karin Gillespie. Do we really need this? This reminds me of when you were in junior high and you thought it would be SO FUN! to write about your real life friends and how you wish things had happened. It's almost like fanfiction, but in a way I can't possibly explain. I like the SPQ books, but this was unnecessary. Next!

Suburban Legends by Sam Stall. A collection of weird-but-true stories from Suburbia. I love stuff like this and I needed something to cleanse my cranial palate after writing a 16 page paper for class. It's the kind of book you can keep in the bathroom for, ahem, longer trips.

Duma Key by Stephen King. I commented ages ago in an entry about The Colorado Kid that he's gotten a heart. Boy, has he ever and BOY do I like it. He builds the suspense so slowly but you're never bored. The body count gets high and emotional but the ending is satisfying. King is getting better with age, and this book seems very personal (the main character is recovering from an accident that leaves him with physical and mental impairments). He needs to talk to his son Joe Hill who wrote...

Heart Shaped Box about which I heard very mixed reviews but decided to try it for myself. I couldn't believe it was a real book based on the synopsis I read, and on top of that I kind of wanted to see what Stephen's kid had in him. It reminded me of the period where I just couldn't finish King's books due to the ridiculousness. I did finish, though.

With the gift card I will have more later.

Labels: books

I have to share this. Really. Disillusionment and all.

So, I had a snack attack. I usually don't get hungry until much later, but I couldn't control it and I didn't want my usual snack of carrots. Bread and Company has always had cheese toast that was really delicious and the price is right.

Well, that's the first snag. I order my cheese toast ($2.95 plus tax) and the total is $4.3something. Granted, my math skills aren't all that great in the morning, but I know there's not THAT much tax on food. I ask the clerk why and she says the mozzarella is $1. Well, then, which cheeses are included in the price? She looks at her register for a little while and tells me that cheese is $1 extra. Ok, but this is cheese toast, right? Well, she points out to me on the menu that there's a note that they add $1 for...cranberry bread (I wish the written word could appropriately display the shift in her tone as she finished reading that sentence). she goes to a manager. It's easily solved--and it turns out it's a feature in the computer register system (I'm guessing there's no way to put in the system which cheese you want, so it adds it on). Meanwhile, I notice the cashier next to her is wearing an "I'm Training" button. I've seen a lot of cashiers wearing this button lately--I guess turnover is high.

After this, I get to the section of the store where the breakfast items are made (if you're not familiar with Bread and Co, in this particular location you go to different parts of the store depending on what you're after. The breakfast counter later becomes the sandwich counter, and even later becomes the pasta counter). I see the lady using a microwave, and think how interesting, because I hate microwaves and wonder what she's up to because the restaurant isn't busy and I ordered toast. Well, she takes the item out of the microwave, does some things out of my sight, and hands me a styro container. I check the container first to make sure it's indeed mine and right. The first thing I notice is one of those napkin/condiment/cutlery kits sitting RIGHT ON TOP OF THE CHEESE. I grab it before it sticks.

I get to my office and sit down with my cheese toast. it's scantier than I remember, but hopefully still delicious. Nope, even that's a disappointment. It's clear that she didn't even toast the bread before microwaving it. Honestly, I could've made this myself in the office. They have one of those crazy toasters that runs the bread on a belt and drops it below and I know that logically, you can't make cheese toast with one of those. Still, I didn't go for soggy, microwaved bread with too much cheap mozzarella on it making it gooey (in a bad way).

I think Bread and Co has really gone downhill. The portions have shrank, the prices have risen, and the quality isn't the same. I used to love their pasta made-to-order but it's gotten too expensive to justify. The sandwiches are ridiculous. The chicken noodle soup is still wonderful (and now offered every day!), but the container has changed and I can't tell if I'm getting less soup. Probably not, but given the change in their other items I would not be surprised.

I tell a coworker about this and she says she's glad Panera is down the road and you can still get good stuff there. I'm fine with Panera, but I'd like for a local business to succeed without compromising everything.

Labels: drama, nashville

What would you do if you won a $1000 gift certificate to a large bookstore? We're talking a two story deal with books, periodicals, dvds, cds, lotions, totebags, and a fancy cafe. No, it's probably not the one you're thinking of (unless you live in the Nashville area, then it's TOTAL the one you're thinking of). Because I did.

Short story: local public radio is having their pledge drive and gives away prizes during this time. I was the winner, and I never win a dang thing (remind me sometime to tell you about the time mom won 2 airline tickets). So I go to the office park to pick it up and after work make a quick stop at the store.

I walk in and I get tears in my eyes. Seriously. It was sensory overload. I'd imagine it was like what Henry Bemis felt like before his glasses broke. I didn't have much time so I only got a few items here and there so I've still got plenty to spend. I did FINALLY get that Monty Python's Flying Circus box set that includes every episode of the TV show. Until now all I had was episodes I'd taped on VHS way back when it was on the Comedy Channel (later Comedy Central).

Yes, I've had a few requests. I'll probably use some of it for DVDs (I'm not a book buyer--i love libraries!), some of it for school books.

Labels: books, news

Today I posed for an artist. It's part of an installation that features the roller girls and will open next month. If you're interested, email me for details and I'll tell you where to be and when to be there.

I showed up at the appointed time in my derby finery. The artist, Brenan, was lots of fun and quite talented so I really enjoyed my time standing in odd positions. It's going to be a great show, and the early versions look great. I desperately want to buy them they're so good, plus they're me, and I'm my favorite subject in the art world. So my guess is they'll be out of my reach financially but we'll see. But what if they were purchased by someone else? Seems odd to think about it. It's my image, right? So it's kind of personal. If this were the case it would kill me not to know why the person bought it, what they did with it, and what people thought of it. Is it me and the part of my personality I put forth? Is it the artist's interpretation? I'll let you know how it turns out. There are two pieces, one is Comanche in action, and one is Leah the knitter who likes to skate. I can't wait for you to see them.

Then I decided to check out a certain local cupcake bakery that recently opened. I know that this cupcake craze is several years old so we're obviously a little behind the times. I'd heard mixed reviews. Some people raved that they were sent from Heaven, some said they weren't ALL THAT (but beautifully presented). I had to try for myself. Verdict: meh. Artificial taste, dry cake, boring icing. I know some folks are absolutely thrilled with a 'cake junt in Nashville but I think the joy is a little short sighted; after all, two of my favorite bakeries (Dulce Desserts and Sweet 16th) sell amazing cupcakes as well as other baked goods. In fact, both places offer better cupcakes than this newcomer.

Labels: nashville, roller derby