Alrighty Daisy blog regulars, welcome to my little blog. I am about to dash out the door to go see the one and only RYAN ADAMS but upon threat from Daisy of great bodily harm I figured I should post my book club pick first. I had an incredibly hard time choosing a book that I thought a majority of people would find interesting and such. I like reading random educational-ish books for fun because I am an unabashed dork, but I ruled those out for the rest of you kind people. And my two favorite fiction books are "The House of Mirth" and "Anna Karenina" neither of which are particularly light and I think I would hear audible groans from the blogosphere if I picked one of those. So, after all of that explanation, here it is. I ventured away from the fiction genre to pick a book that I read last summer that really captured my interest and stuck with me for a long time. And I re-read it to make sure it was as good as I thought, and it is. Don't be put off by the length, it sucked me in right away and before I knew it I was finished (seriously, like 5 days and I was done). And since it is almost Halloween (my favorite holiday of the whole entire year) I wanted something that had sort of a creepy factor - this for sure does. So. The October book. "Strange Piece of Paradise" by Terri Jentz. Without giving anything away, I can tell you it is her true story of recovering from being attacked by an anonymous guy with an axe (yeah, an axe). It weaves together several of my interests - a good story, weird people, criminal law, mystery, and a dash of feminism. It should be quite easy to find and I really hope that you enjoy it - or at least find it interesting.
And the other things? Well, I have made the executive decision to not check my bar results today so that I can enjoy the concert. I may or may not check them before I go to Boulder so that I can enjoy homecoming. And I don't think I am going to post my results here because, well, I don't want to whether they are bad or good. So if you want to think nice thoughts for me that would be great and much appreciated and we will work from there.
Hopefully I can post a review of ACL before I leave for Boulder (ACL was freaking awesome, in short). Now I am off to see my most favorite musician in the world with my bestest friend, Eddie!!! Have a great day and let me know how you are enjoying the book!!!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Things that are Exciting (in no particular order)
1. I am leaving for ACL in 2 days. Yes, I already went to Lollapalooza and this is technically almost the exact same thing but whatever it shall be awesome. And I shall see Mason Jennings again. And he shall probably sound like Mason Jennings - again. And G. Love and Swell Season and Foo Fighters and, just, YAY.
2. Blackhawks season starts tonight. I will be forced to hobble up to my seat as I ran 20 miles yesterday. 20!!! Basically, I could have run out to the suburbs. But I hate the suburbs, so instead I ran up and down the lakefront path. And hockey is fun. Nope, that made no sense.
3. In one week, I get to see . . . RYAN FREAKING ADAMS!!! In concert! Close enough for him to sweat on me and/or notice me and decide that in fact he does totally want to hang out with me and perhaps drink coffee while playing me some songs. Yes.
4. After that, I get to go to BOULDER! For homecoming! And drink delicious Colorado beers and eat delicious Boulder foods and watch the Buffs! Playing football! YAY!!!
5. And when I return from Boulder (yay!) I am running the marathon, for which I am mostly ready but still somewhat nervous.
So, basically the next 2 weeks are going to completely kick ass. I won't be around much, other than to post the October book pick for the book club, but I will be having uber amounts of fun. And then I should probably try to find a job. But for now, viva la unemployment!!!
2. Blackhawks season starts tonight. I will be forced to hobble up to my seat as I ran 20 miles yesterday. 20!!! Basically, I could have run out to the suburbs. But I hate the suburbs, so instead I ran up and down the lakefront path. And hockey is fun. Nope, that made no sense.
3. In one week, I get to see . . . RYAN FREAKING ADAMS!!! In concert! Close enough for him to sweat on me and/or notice me and decide that in fact he does totally want to hang out with me and perhaps drink coffee while playing me some songs. Yes.
4. After that, I get to go to BOULDER! For homecoming! And drink delicious Colorado beers and eat delicious Boulder foods and watch the Buffs! Playing football! YAY!!!
5. And when I return from Boulder (yay!) I am running the marathon, for which I am mostly ready but still somewhat nervous.
So, basically the next 2 weeks are going to completely kick ass. I won't be around much, other than to post the October book pick for the book club, but I will be having uber amounts of fun. And then I should probably try to find a job. But for now, viva la unemployment!!!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
On hurricanes . . .
Don't misinterpret the following comments. Because I understand that many people have been simply unable to flee the path of an oncoming hurricane. And in NOLA during Katrina, there were clearly aspects of race, poverty, and social justice all at odds with the evacuation. And I am NOT referring to those who suffered (and are still suffering) the effects of that disaster.
I am speaking here of those who choose to stay in a mandatory evacuation zone in Ike's path; those who told reporters, "I've always wanted to sit through a hurricane!" or "Last time traffic was sooooo annoying, I would rather sit and drink a beer" or any other random reason that I saw listed by those interviewed who were capable of leaving, who knew Ike was coming and knew they should leave but didn't. And now they are waiting for rescuers, people who are busting their asses and risking their own safety to help those who could have helped themselves in the first place. It really pisses me off.
In AZ, in a posted "Flash Flood" zone, if you drive your car into a wash during heavy rain and get stuck, the fire department will still come rescue you. But you know what? They charge you for that rescue, because you risked your life and that of the officers who had to abandon the other things they could have been doing to save your dumb ass who went into a flood on purpose (and the people in the news helicopters will mock you, and me too).
So for those who wanted to party through Ike, and who didn't board up their homes and who needed to be pulled out of their own idiocy, I hope you say a big "thanks" to those working to help you. Because if it were me, I might kick you in the shins.
To everyone else, Murphy and I hope you pull through and wish you the best.
I am speaking here of those who choose to stay in a mandatory evacuation zone in Ike's path; those who told reporters, "I've always wanted to sit through a hurricane!" or "Last time traffic was sooooo annoying, I would rather sit and drink a beer" or any other random reason that I saw listed by those interviewed who were capable of leaving, who knew Ike was coming and knew they should leave but didn't. And now they are waiting for rescuers, people who are busting their asses and risking their own safety to help those who could have helped themselves in the first place. It really pisses me off.
In AZ, in a posted "Flash Flood" zone, if you drive your car into a wash during heavy rain and get stuck, the fire department will still come rescue you. But you know what? They charge you for that rescue, because you risked your life and that of the officers who had to abandon the other things they could have been doing to save your dumb ass who went into a flood on purpose (and the people in the news helicopters will mock you, and me too).
So for those who wanted to party through Ike, and who didn't board up their homes and who needed to be pulled out of their own idiocy, I hope you say a big "thanks" to those working to help you. Because if it were me, I might kick you in the shins.
To everyone else, Murphy and I hope you pull through and wish you the best.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
So Much to Say . . .
Wow, being out of range of any news, music, television, and people other than the river rafters for a whole week was a rather odd experience. I am just getting back into the swing of things and have so much to talk about!
* The Trip - I will start off by saying that I absolutely recommend rafting the Colorado to any of you delightful readers. It was amazing and I will post pictures as soon as I get the film developed. 8 days of crashing water and hot sun and being covered in sand and sunscreen all while seeing some of the oldest rock formations on the planet. I got to bond with my dad, set up campsites, ride scary-as-hell rapids, and eat camp food. Oh, and poop in a box. The box called Oscar. Let me just say, I never want to poop in a box again. It was simply uncomfortable to sit next to the river in the bushes with frogs staring you down while trying to "separate the functions" because no pee can go in Oscar. Ugh. But other than that, an awesome trip. My dad and I were the only ones who planned on doing all 8 days - after the 4th day the group stopped at Phantom Ranch and all of our new friends hiked out and we got a whole new bunch of passengers. The first group was mostly comprised of families and foreigners (the Germans were my favorite, and so efficient!). The second group was a rowdy bunch of middle-aged ski club people who were not my favorite but who were sort of fun I suppose. I pretty much hung out with my dad and the boat guides (one of whom was so cute though way too old for me and married, sigh). When I post the pictures I will for sure post more stories from the wild.
* The Buffs - I missed both of our first two games due to my trip, but we are 2-0, YAY!!!
* The Book - I finished the blogger book club pick "Beach Music" and will send my review over to Daisy/post it shortly. The book sort of drowned in the river which is too ironic for me to handle.
* The Pick - On our way up to Lee's Ferry, my dad and I heard about the Palin pick on XM radio. I have so much to say about this pick, but I will keep my initial thoughts brief. First, I totally called it - I predicted McCain would select a female VP candidate to bolster his (undeserved) "maverick" reputation. Second, she completes the most anti-choice ticket in recent memory, being against abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Should make for great SCOTUS picks if they win, no? Third, to all of the commentators who think Hillary supporters will now shift to McCain because he picked a woman, you are freaking idiots. Hillary supporters will recognize Palin's anti-choice credentials, and her conservative stance on other issues and will not just blindly vote for her because she is a woman. Also, can we stop using the gendered stereotype of the "bitter, vindictive" Hillary supporters who will turn their backs on democrats simply because they didn't get their way??? Former Hillary supporters will make their choices for many reasons, not because they are bitter, angry, petulant women. K, thanks.
Phew, so I guess that's it for now. I look forward to returning to Chicago for my fabulous fall of fun. Oh, and this was my 100th post, so I am doing a little "Yay for my 100th blog post" dance out here in AZ. Glad to be back.
* The Trip - I will start off by saying that I absolutely recommend rafting the Colorado to any of you delightful readers. It was amazing and I will post pictures as soon as I get the film developed. 8 days of crashing water and hot sun and being covered in sand and sunscreen all while seeing some of the oldest rock formations on the planet. I got to bond with my dad, set up campsites, ride scary-as-hell rapids, and eat camp food. Oh, and poop in a box. The box called Oscar. Let me just say, I never want to poop in a box again. It was simply uncomfortable to sit next to the river in the bushes with frogs staring you down while trying to "separate the functions" because no pee can go in Oscar. Ugh. But other than that, an awesome trip. My dad and I were the only ones who planned on doing all 8 days - after the 4th day the group stopped at Phantom Ranch and all of our new friends hiked out and we got a whole new bunch of passengers. The first group was mostly comprised of families and foreigners (the Germans were my favorite, and so efficient!). The second group was a rowdy bunch of middle-aged ski club people who were not my favorite but who were sort of fun I suppose. I pretty much hung out with my dad and the boat guides (one of whom was so cute though way too old for me and married, sigh). When I post the pictures I will for sure post more stories from the wild.
* The Buffs - I missed both of our first two games due to my trip, but we are 2-0, YAY!!!
* The Book - I finished the blogger book club pick "Beach Music" and will send my review over to Daisy/post it shortly. The book sort of drowned in the river which is too ironic for me to handle.
* The Pick - On our way up to Lee's Ferry, my dad and I heard about the Palin pick on XM radio. I have so much to say about this pick, but I will keep my initial thoughts brief. First, I totally called it - I predicted McCain would select a female VP candidate to bolster his (undeserved) "maverick" reputation. Second, she completes the most anti-choice ticket in recent memory, being against abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Should make for great SCOTUS picks if they win, no? Third, to all of the commentators who think Hillary supporters will now shift to McCain because he picked a woman, you are freaking idiots. Hillary supporters will recognize Palin's anti-choice credentials, and her conservative stance on other issues and will not just blindly vote for her because she is a woman. Also, can we stop using the gendered stereotype of the "bitter, vindictive" Hillary supporters who will turn their backs on democrats simply because they didn't get their way??? Former Hillary supporters will make their choices for many reasons, not because they are bitter, angry, petulant women. K, thanks.
Phew, so I guess that's it for now. I look forward to returning to Chicago for my fabulous fall of fun. Oh, and this was my 100th post, so I am doing a little "Yay for my 100th blog post" dance out here in AZ. Glad to be back.
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