I Even Liked “Hard Times” by Dickens.

I went out for dinner last night (Temple Grill in Downtown New Haven. Nice place, sit outside if you can) and was talking to the girl I was with about books. 

(That’s sort of a go-to conversation for me by the way.)

When she asked what I’ve been reading this summer I rattled off a bunch of books, and ended each description with, “It was really good.” 

Since then, I’ve realized it’s not that I enjoy every book I read, I just enjoy reading.  Sure, I have my favorite books of all time, but I’ll also suggest whatever I’m reading at the time to anyone else.   You’d think, given that I’m a writer myself and read an awful lot, I’d be more picky.  But this is not the case.  

My new favorite book is generally whatever I just finished reading. 

(Bright Lights, Big City currently)

Maybe I’m just easy to please.  Maybe I just don’t put enough thought into it.  Even in high school I liked most of my assigned reading, and in college even more so.  Basically what I’m saying is don’t expect a stellar book recommendation from me, because I like everything.  I’ll gladly accept your book recommendations, I’m almost guaranteed to enjoy it, and I need something to read.

(And I really enjoyed dinner last night, too.)

Would you rather?

At work on Friday, I asked a few “Would you rather” questions. 

Would you rather have the ability to fly or the ability to be invisible?

Would you rather be blind or deaf?

Would you rather have popcorn stuck in the back of your mouth, or have a fly keep buzzing around when you’re trying to sleep?

It’s now almost 1am, and I’ve spent the better part of 15 20 minutes hunting a fly that’s been buzzing around.  I’d like to retract my original answer to the question;  I’d rather the popcorn.

—–

Update: 1:23AM – Fly is dead.

Great Advice

Sunday Afternoon – Somewhere in upstate New York.

Me: I don’t really like children.  Or animals.  Cats and dogs are ok, but farm creatures are kind of dirty.  Birds freak me out, I’m allergic to fish and…

Sean: Wow.  You should definitely stay in media then.

Me: …yeah.   Yeah, I should.

That’s what friends are for.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

I came home from work today, worked out, showered then watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the movie. Because it was on TV, and I haven’t seen it in years.  (From 1990, it’s a cult classic.  You know the one.)

I think most people around my age have seen this movie.  The heroes in a half shell were quite popular back in my day.  Way back in the 90’s. 

Watching it as an adult, It’s a very different film.  In addition to the overall ridiculousness of it as a whole, there are some serious plot holes.

I have a couple questions:

1.  Is anyone else profoundly disturbed by the flirtation / sexual tension between April O’Neil, Adult Human Reporter and Raphael, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?  It’s just wrong on so many levels.  And furthermore, why does Raphael have a borderline Italian accent?  

2.  What is Shredders’ motivation?  What’s up with The Foot Clan and the generalized hating of Splinter and our heroes?  

I think the movie was based on the comic books, which I didn’t read.  I read everything was I was little.  Everything except comic books – so please fill in the blanks for me if you know. 

COMPLETELY unrelated – some new detailsabout Jenny Lewis’s upcoming album have been released.  Most importantly, that it’s coming out in September.  Zooey Deschanel is featured on it, and she’ll be playing in New York in October. 

This is all code for “Do you want to see Jenny Lewis with me in October?”

Smokin’ HLBs.

I don’t smoke. However, I would like to be able to take a Healthy Lung Break in the same spirit of those who step out of the office to go “have a cig.”

To once or twice a day, get out of the office for ten minutes or so without a specific agenda like lunch or running an errand, would be incredible. It is absolutely gorgeous out today, and some of us in the web department went outside to take some updated pictures of the exterior of our office building. After a mere five minutes outside, I feel like a new woman. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but no – I wouldn’t take advantage of my Healthy Lung Break – i’m busy, I have deadlines, and (perhaps most importantly) I’m in New Haven, Connecticut – not exactly known for its stupendous weather. So it would really only be a few months when HLB’s would really even be a possibility. 

I think that Healthy Lung Breaks (HLB’s) should be rewarded to all non-smokers. It clears the mind, and even promotes team building because you get to talk to your coworkers. Basically the same things that I imagine the smokers go outside for, without the cancerous side effects.

Not that i’m without my potentially cancer causing vices…

 

Three cans between noon and 4:30pm.  This has gotta stop. 

(And um, w/r/t my recent techno-rambles, I somewhat reluctantly signed up for twitter.)

recent techno-rambles

1. I think i’m going to start posting links of suggested articles.  I read alot.  Books, yes – but also do alot of online reading, and you should too.  Not everyone uses Google Reader, and not everyone is subscribed to my shared items, but I’d like to have my friends know what i’m talking about, at least some of the time.  So I’ll probably start throwing the odd link in here and there for fun.  Like this one, an analysis of contemporary romantic comedies, focusing on Cameron Crowe’s films.

2. Twitter. I don’t get it.  What’s the appeal?  I don’t want everyone to know what i’m doing  all the time, and I don’t think anyone would care to know anyway.  I’m not being self effacing, i’m just keeping it real.  If you’re my friend in real life, and you want to know what i’m doing, ask.  Even if you aren’t my friend, I’d probably still tell you.  Unless I get a creepy vibe.

Anyway, Twitter.  Feel free to try and convince me to use it.  Really.  I know I give some people a hard time over certain techno-purchases and passtimes (“how is this neccesary?”), but I really want to hear the argument. 

3.   I still won’t add a facebook application.  It’s become a matter of principle now.  I’ll admit, I added the bumper sticker application once when Jenn sent me something.  I knew she wouldn’t send me a request unless it was worth it.  And it was. I laughed so hard my somach hurt.  Then I deleted it.  There’s just nothing else I want from facebook.  I’m completely satisfied.

4.  Last weekend, I convinced my Dad to use Gmail.  I can’t believe anyone uses anything besides Gmail really.  I think what sold him was when I showed him that I have several thousand emails stored, never need to delete anything and can search through every single email for the mere mention of anything.  I typed in his name and we pulled up every email we’ve exchanged since who-knows-when, then searched every time I’ve mentioned Connecticut in an email, and then every time the word “Unicorn” was mentioned (which, mind you, was way more often than you’d think) and that was enough.  I’d follow google into the dark.

5.   Holly used to always send me LOLcats.  Randomly if she saw one she’d think I’d like, or sharing them on her reader.   Now she’s in Paris, and I never thought I’d say it but I kind of miss the LOLcats.

But not nearly as much as I miss her.

(Hope you’re having fun, pal!)

Michael Ende’s inspiration, i’m sure.

The Never Ending Story was my favorite movie as a kid.  And Kasper is one of my favorite dogs as an adult. 

 

Melinda, I think you should rename your dog.