writing project #1 August 30, 2009

I’ve begun some tiny writing projects, little attempts to get the creative juices flowing. The first one here is collecting the first lines of some books I have on my desk. I have an obsession with the first line, getting it just right so that it captures my audience and keeps them reading. But really what makes a first line good or bad? It’s hard to tell because they all really try something different but seem equally successful. Here are some of the ones I’ve collected so far:

“Her body moved with the frankness that comes from solitary habits.” Prodigal Summer, Barbara Kingsolver

“When Pearl Tull was dying, a funny thought occurred to her.” Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Anne Tyler

“Tonight, the hay in the fields is already brittle with frost, especially to the west of Fox Hill, where the pastures shine like stars.” Here on Earth, Alice Hoffman

“The light hadn’t even officially turned green at the intersection of 17th and Broadway before an army of overconfident yellow cabs roared past the tiny deathtrap I was attempting to navigate around the city streets.” The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger

“Only three people were left under the red and white awning of the grease joint: Grady, me, and the fry cook.” Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen

“Clare: It’s hard being left behind.” The Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger

“I should have known that summer of 1961 was gonna be the biggest of our lives.” The Book of Bright Ideas, Sandra Kring

“Howard Roark laughed.” The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand

“Whenever my mother talks to me, she begins the conversation as if we were already in the middle of an argument.” The Kitchen God’s Wife, Amy Tan

“At night I would lie in bed and watch the show, how bees squeezed through the cracks of my bedroom wall and flew circles around the room, making that propeller sound, a high-pitched zzzzz that hummed along my skin.” The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd

“Marguerite didn’t know where to start.” The Love Season, Elin Hilderbrand

forgetful August 29, 2009

I’ve been so busy with work and home stuff that I just haven’t made time to write anything for almost a week. That will change soon though, possibly with a post tonight. It makes me sad though; I can’t believe I missed Good Things Thursday!

to read, not to read August 23, 2009

I’ve read a lot of books this summer ranging from memoirs to psychology books. I used to have a certain style when I read: I didn’t like books about guys unless it was a classic, I wanted the main character not to be middle-aged and/or divorced, and I hated anything that wasn’t immediately a stunner. I’m pretty good at discerning whether a book will hold my attention for more than a chapter, I’ve been able to broaden my reading style quite a bit this summer. This is why I’ve developed my short list of “To Read” and “Not to Read” of the books I’ve read thus far.

To Read:

• My Life in France by Julia Child: Child’s memoirs beginning from her first day in France and continuing through her years in television, though her main focus is on her favorite city, Paris. I read this book in anticipation of the film Julie & Julia but I was not disappointed. It was as much about Julia Child as having the intrepid spirit to really do what you love and to do it well. An interest in cooking and in France is not necessary but helps spur you onward quite a bit. It made me want to run away to Paris and enroll in Le Cordon Bleu.
• The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell: I’m not sure how to categorize this book exactly though if pressed I would say it’s a book with a unique view of the business world. It gives the theory of “tipping,” when an idea goes from obscurity into widespread popularity. My interest in marketing gave me a perspective with which to look at each situation he described. Gladwell incorporates a lot of behind-the-scenes looks into how something becomes an epidemic and is amazing at breaking it down and applying these cases to his theory. It’s really a must read to change your outlook on the world.
• The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: this was another one I read in anticipation of the movie. Though I haven’t been to see the film, I found the book to beautifully written and a film not even necessary to illustrate this unique love story. The story focuses around Henry DeTamble who suffers from a disorder that causes unpredictable time travel. On one of his journeys, he meets the love of his life Claire. The story is complex and you really have to stay on your toes when reading it but it was worth it. The greatest lesson for me was that no love is perfect but you can have a wonderful love if you just try.

Not to Read:

• Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman: Though it’s certain that Hoffman’s a great writer with the lyrical prose of the book, it was one of the most depressing texts I have read in a long while. The back of the book says something about a “dark love” but you really don’t understand the darkness of the book until you get halfway through. I forced myself to finish it so I could start my next book. It’s not something I recommend; maybe pick up Hoffman’s bestselling Practical Magic instead.
• Love the One You’re With by Emily Giffin: This is a chick lit book but one with a lot of weird twists. The ending was what ruined it for me and the character development seems slighted. I wouldn’t say it was a waste and that I was desperate to finish it but Giffin’s other books have been better.

August 20th August 20, 2009

I know, I know I’ve been lazy about posting but there have been a lot of things going on in my life! But at least I made it for another good things Thursday.

• Moving my brother to college- he’s a freshman! And though I’m going to miss him a whole lot, this is such an exciting time for him and I’m so glad I was there to share it with him.
• Writing!- Yes, I am writing. It’s coming along a little each day and though I’m pretty convinced it’s going to be crap when I’m finished, at least I’m writing something. Progress, progress, progress.
• Car shopping- in light of recent events in relation to my current car (case 1: hitting a deer on the highway, case 2: back brakes so bad that I am afraid of crashing), I am searching for the new perfect ride. I know that when I find it I will be so proud of myself because I am buying this car for myself without my parents. I’ll be a real live grown-up, unlike a lot of people my age. It makes me smile every time I think about it. Plus I am doing so much research I am going to have the cutest car for my money.
• Having more money in my savings than my checking account- this is just such an obvious good thing but seriously, this is the first time it’s ever happened to me. Although I will be depleting it in the near future it’s still progress.
• Blueberry pie- my mom made a delicious blueberry pie the other day, my favorite summer pie and I hope I’ll be eating some of that for dinner tonight!

“And you want to get moving/And you want to stay still/But lost in the moment/Some longing gets filled.” -Barangrill, Joni Mitchell

August 13th August 13, 2009

Another good things Thursday is here! Even though today was not the best Thursday on record, I still have lots of good things going in my life.

• Getting to see the movie I wanted to see…twice!- I got to go see Julie and Julia which I had anticipated seeing for awhile now (see: Exciting Things I Think). I liked the movie and got to see it with my mom and at work. Also reading Julia Child’s memoir, My Life in France, made the movie that much better. Now I have to finish it!
• Perfect new blue jeans- I just got the most perfect new pair of jeans. And for anyone who’s picky about their denim, you know that’s a big accomplishment. They’re AG jeans, a nice dark wash, a little on the long side, and they hug my legs in all the right places. Definitely a perfect pair to wear on dates (which I need to work on by the way) and just to hang out in. Plus they were a very good size if I do say so myself.
• Figuring out how to blowdry my hair for maximum effect- a major accomplishment of today was finally using a little bit of product to go a long way. Not only was I asked if I got my hair highlighted (no way, sister, that was about 4 months back) I was told how beautiful and thick my hair is. And a girl loves getting compliments about her hair no matter what.
• Creating a workable budget- pretty boring but pretty essential. I figured out how I am going to be able to afford getting a nice new car in a couple of months and not land myself in the poor house. Of course the really good thing will be when I actually stick to it but I have faith in myself.
• Reading Patti Stanger’s Become Your Own Matchmaker- I have really come along from four months ago and come into a new me, a me post-college and out in the “real world.” I’m thinking more about relationships and being happy. It’s a good book and made me think a lot more about finding a perfect someone. Really it’s always fun to daydream.

“And me, I still believe in paradise. But at least I know that it’s not somewhere you can look for, ’cause it’s not where you go. It’s how you feel for a moment in your life when you’re part of something and if you find that moment, it lasts forever.” -The Beach

technology is a problem August 13, 2009

The title says it all and tonight it’s really bugging me. Okay so my laptop is 4 years old which is basically like 50 years old in technology years so I shouldn’t be complaining when it actually still works. And usually it’s great since I store billions of pictures, music files and work documents on it and it’s still alive. Everything’s a bit slower than most people would like but I’ve gotten used to it. Only tonight everything is taking forever to load and my Google Chrome browser keeps crashing when I try to have more than Facebook loaded. I don’t expect perfection but I would love, love, love to be able to do some things on the internet without it crashing. And I know, I know I should buy a new laptop because mine is old and cranky. But I don’t have the money and seriously, a product that you bought four years ago, with a little wear and tear should still be useful. This is why I like kitchen products. I can use my grandmother’s rolling pin and it will still help me make a flaky pie crust or beat a chicken cutlet into submission. What can I say I am a low tech kind of girl. And that is my tirade this evening of poor technology.

august 6 August 7, 2009

There are many good things this Thursday but I will pick out my favorites:

• Adopting my soldier- okay, so I am insanely excited to be supporting the troops but seriously I feel like I’m making a small difference in a way that I know how.
• Rimmel’s Sexy Curls mascara- at first I wasn’t sure if I liked the weird bubbly brush but I knew I liked the metallic purple tube. I gave it a few days and it’s pretty much my favorite, even if mascara is an essential part of my day.
• My Life in France by Julia Child- the memoir of the famous cook is fantastic. It’s all about her time in France learning cooking. It made me realize that you can stumble across your life goal in the most unexpected ways. It also makes me want to move to Paris ASAP.
• Searching for things to get me involved- I haven’t yet found anything in my area that I am going to get involved in to get me out and meeting new people. But I have been discovering lots of things I can do, little projects and things here and there that I can’t wait to do. One is Memory Walk in October. Since I work with people affected by Alzheimer’s, I think it’s important for me to be involved with the walk and raise money. More info soon!
• New music- I love music, in my car, in my room, out and about. Life is just better with a soundtrack. I just got some great new music from iTunes and my brother. The music from my brother is accapella music and it’s sooo good. He gave me a version of Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes” that’s so beautiful and I’m obsessed!

“Yea, things happen. Things you don’t expect or want or like. The world rages and you become someone you didn’t know you’d ever be. And there you are, in your clothes, in your life, this is my future, this is me. This is me and I want things I never thought I would.” -Everwood

exciting things i think August 5, 2009

Things I am excited for:

Movies: Julie & Julia, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Shutter Island

Books: Empire Falls, Opposite of Fate, Become Your Own Matchmaker by Patti Stanger

Events: having a dinner party for my best friends, maybe getting to see my crush, sending a care package to my adopted soldier

dreams of decor August 5, 2009

People dream of all sorts of weird things, mostly things that don’t make sense. Once I had a dream I had twins; how terrifying is that? But recently, more and more, I am having dreams about decorating. White rooms with French doors and shiny mirrors, dark bedrooms with heavy gold curtains, white tiled kitchens with robin’s egg blue cabinets: I have dreamed of them all. Most of it has to do with the fact that I am in nesting mode, carefully settling into the life I have right now. I am domestic, a housebody, I love the idea of a cute and comfy home. Wanting to organize, decorate, and settle is part of my nature.

I cannot wait until I have my own place to decorate and settle in. Though that’s at least a year away, I can’t help but anticipate the ways I will decorate a small apartment. I’ve started collecting little things to add to a place when I finally get one. Just this weekend, I picked up four pink bubble glass goblets from Anthropologie. There were only four which is not perfect but they were only $4 and can be cute and fun everyday glasses or the perfect touch for a small dinner party. I also inherited a pale blue cracked paint sideboard that could either be a side table in a room (like I used it in my college apartment) or, as I once envisioned it, a desk. Slowly and surely I am building up fun things to add spice to my place when I eventually have one. And one day when I have a house, watch out!

a small/big goal for this week August 3, 2009

Today, one week later, I reviewed my weekly goals. I can’t say I did it all the way but I think I did fairly well. To make up for my slacking in most of the goals, particularly organizing my room, I finished my To Do list by Thursday. I did kind of start planning a dinner party for this month, though it was mainly asking when I could do it and making sure my friends were still interested. I’ll try and start planning the menu this week. I also want to do party favors, etc. but I really think I should curtail my budget; I am slowly returning to my shopaholic ways which is not good. In the area of scrapbooking, there have been positive steps made: one set of pictures has been uploaded to Shutterfly to be printed and I’ll probably do more tonight. Instead of driving out to get them, I think I’ll be lazy and have them shipped to my house. The 21st century is so convenient. I haven’t managed to find something in my area that is going to let me meet people but I have made a step in the right direction. I decided to do something good and adopted a soldier to show my support for the troops. I’m a big believer in supporting the troops whether you believe in the war they’re fighting or not. I can’t wait to start putting together care packages and sending emails and letters. It’s a step in the right direction, if not exactly something that will get me out and meeting people. Not too shabby for the week.

For this week, I don’t have specific goals I want to accomplish, though I would like to make sure I finish up the ever-present To Do list. A more vague goal I have for this week is to be more proactive about my life. I tend to be tired after work and use that as my excuse to just hang out at home. I need to have more energy and go out and get things done more. That’s what I hope to accomplish this week.