Moxie

8.25.11 - Moxie. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.


Another word that is fun to say, also a word that can be used to describe me! 
"Have you met Deejah?"  
"Yes - she's got moxie!"

Debauchery

8.24.11 - Debauchery. Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.


Today's word was chosen for no other reason than the fact that Chris Kukulski likes to say it. It cracked me all day today!

Waiting

8.23.11 - Waiting. The action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens. 


I understand that patience is a virtue, but no one has ever accused me of having that particular virtue. I HATE waiting.

Uncertain

8.21.11 - Uncertain. Not able to be relied on; not known or definite.


Life is uncertain, lots of moving parts. It's our job to try to keep a positive mental attitude. Luckily I have great friends to listen when I lose it! 

Obviously

7.31 - Obviously. Unmistakably (`plain' is often used informally for `plainly')


Obviously this is BG's favorite word. I mean - she turned 11 today and obviously it was a wonderful birthday weekend (her words), obviously I want to watch - blah, blah, blah. Obviously I am SUPER sick of this word. But - obviously, I love her!

Bats

7.26.11 - Bats. Any of various nocturnal flying mammals of the order Chiroptera, having 
membranous wings that extend from the forelimbs to the hind limbs or.


Bats make me bats...I saw at least 5 of them as I was driving home from work tonight! Creepy!

Cherries

7.21 - Cherries. A small, round stone fruit that is typically bright or dark red.


Cherries remind me of summer. I am enjoying the sweet treat and reading a great book! Heaven!

S'mores

7.20 - S'Mores. A s'more is a traditional nighttime campfire treat.


Who needs a campfire to make s'mores?? We used the toaster oven and they were tasty treats!! Yum!

Exciting

7.14 - Exciting. Creating or producing excitement

I received an exciting phone call today! I won a pair of tickets to the American Idol concert from 97.5 radio station! They called me - I am not even sure when I signed up, but hey! This will be BG's first concert and she is over the moon with anticipation! 

Haboob

7.6.11 - Haboob. A violent dust storm or sandstorm especially of Sudan...


or Phoenix. Just saying, haboob.

Presentation

7.1.11 - Presentation. Something, such as a lecture or speech, that is set forth for an audience.


I told BG that I did not want to discuss her birthday plans/ideas until July 1st. She came home prepared with index cards and a solid presentation. If she would have had time to complete a PowerPoint slideshow - I am sure she would have. I love my tenacious wee one! 

Mellifluous

6.29.11 - Mellifluous. Having a smooth rich flow.


Try saying mellifluous without smiling...it is impossible. I love this word! 

Magazine

6.27.11 - Magazine. A periodical publication containing articles and illustrations, typically covering a particular subject.


I had forgotten how much I enjoy reading a magazine from cover to cover! Apparently I passed that love along to BG...she is so in to "Tiger Beat" this summer! I love that!

Swimming

6.26.11 - Swimming. The sport or activity of propelling oneself through water using the limbs.


Today I went swimming for the first time in many, many years. I definitely need some practice - but I had a great time.

Internet

6.24.11 - Internet. An international computer network providing e-mail and information from computers in educational institutions, government agencies, and industry, accessible to the general public via modem links.


I love the internet - it never ceases to amaze me. Tonight I am sitting at home in AZ, doing laundry while watching my friend Dan DJ at a club in MN!! I am even sending him requests for songs I want to hear. I mean really, how cool is that? It's also a little nerdy of me - but I'm a cute nerd - I get a pass.

Achieve

6.23.11 - Achieve. To perform or carry out with success; accomplish.

This morning my editor and I got lots of things completed on the website! I love when I can achieve some goals before I even leave the house to start my other work day!!

Bliss

6.22.11 - Bliss. Perfect happiness; great joy.


Had some great food, had some great conversations, made up with my kid and had an evening full of TV and books - I am blissed out!

Confused

6.21.11 - Confused. (of a person) Unable to think clearly; bewildered.

Gah - I am so confused! Thank goodness I have a 10-year-old in my house who keeps me straight!  I love me some her! :)

Empathy

6.20.11 - Empathy. The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.


Empathy - one of the things I work on the most.

Lazy

6.19.11 - Lazy. Resistant to work or exertion; disposed to idleness.


Today was my last official day of vacation so I was SUPER lazy! Spent time with BG and read - it was a great day.

Home

6.18.11 - Home. The physical structure within which one lives, such as a house or apartment.


After what feels like a whirlwind of a vacation, we are finally back home! Gonna be great to sleep in my own bed tonight. 

Phew

6.17.11 - Phew. An exclamation of relief, surprise, disbelief, weariness, etc.


Phew - 6 days in hot, sticky, humid and rainy Orlando comes to an end. It was a great vacation with my family but I am ready to go home and sleep in my own bed and in my own room!

Achy

6.16.11 - Achy. Affected by a continuous dull pain; aching.


My feet are achy all over - 3 parks (Epcot, Hollywood Studios and The Magic Kingdom) in 4 days! Tomorrow we tackle Universal Studios. 

Rain

6.15.11 - Rain. Water condensed from atmospheric vapor and falling in drops.


The rain in Florida tried to mar our vacation, but we are not afraid of no stinking rain!! We still had a great time!

Firework

6.14.11 - Firework. A device containing gunpowder and other combustible chemicals that causes a spectacular explosion when ignited, used typically for display or in celebrations.


Baby - Disney is a firework! Tonight's firework display at The Magic Kingdom was one of the best that I have ever seen. 

Humidity

6.13.11 - Humidity. A quantity representing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere or a gas. 


The humidity in Florida has made me its bitch!!! UGH! Still day #2 of vacation was great!

Roommate

6.12.11 - Roommate. A person with whom one shares a room or rooms.


Being on vacation means that BG and I are roommates...bonus - 2 beds!! 

Hungry

6.10.11 - Hungry. Feeling or displaying the need for food.


I am so hungry that I forgot what my initial word of the day was going to be. Going to pick up some Pei Wei for dinner.

Deadline

6.9.11 - Deadline. The latest time or date by which something should be completed.


Writing articles, packing and some last minute shopping before I head out for vacation. Deadlines, deadlines.

Wink

6.8.11 - Wink. To close and open the eyelid of one eye deliberately, as to convey a message, signal, or suggestion.


I love winks. I think they are flirty and fun. My grandma taught me how to wink and my mom taught BG. Wink at someone today, you both will smile! :)

Curious

6.7.11 - Curious. eager to learn; inquisitive.


Can one ever be too curious? I think not.

Summer

6.6.11 - Summer. The warmest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from June to August and in the southern hemisphere from December to February.


Summer has begun in earnest at our house. BG started dive and swim team practices today, the countdown to Disney World is in single digits and the AC is definitely up and running! Bring it on!

Pimple

6.4.11 - Pimple. A small hard inflamed spot on the skin.


I am 40! I cannot believe that I got my first pimple in almost 10 years! What the heck is going on??

Volunteer

6.3.11 - Volunteer. A person who performs or offers a service voluntarily.


Today it was great to volunteer at the St. Mary's Food Bank. It was great working with other volunteers and helping some folks in need.

Ice Cream

6.1.11 - Ice Cream. A soft frozen food made with sweetened and flavored milk fat.


I scream for ice cream...getting in my car to pick some up RIGHT now!

Dress

5.31.11 - Dress. A one-piece garment for a woman or girl that covers the body and extends down over the legs.


Tomorrow is the first day of the 30 days of dresses project! I am pretty excited to see if I can make this work!
  

Laundry

5.30.11 - Laundry. Clothes and linens that need to be washed or that have been washed.


Doing laundry tonight...one of my least favorite chores.

Visit

5.28.11 - Visit. An act of going or coming to see a person or place socially, as a tourist, or for some other purpose.


Today I took a drive to Chandler to visit my best friend and her daughter and some other friends for a nice cook-out! What a great day!

Linens

5.27.11 - Linens. Garments or other household articles such as sheets made, or originally made, of linen.


I didn't know that my NBFF could be shocked or surprised by me anymore, but tonight I did it. She was absolutely horrified to find out that I have only one pillow on my queen size bed and that I could care less about linens in general. Pillow shams?? Who the hell needs those? She does...

Sanguine

5.26.11 - Sanguine. Having the temperament and ruddy complexion formerly thought to be characteristic of a person dominated by this humor; passionate.

I took some quizzes online today - because they are fun. I found out that I am 100% Alpha Female with a penchant towards bitchiness and I find that I have a sanguine personality. Both of these things seem to be pretty good characterizations of me. :)

Countdown

5.25.11 - Countdown. The act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order.


The countdown to Disney World begins! We are VERY excited!

Penultimate

5.24.11 - Penultimate. Next to last.


Today marks the penultimate episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show. No matter your feelings about her, she has made an impressive impact on the television landscape and I for one will miss the show.

Play

5.23.11 - Play. To act, especially in a dramatic production.


The play is the thing! Tonight BG played Miss Behave in the 5th grade production of 'The Miss Prefix Beauty Pageant'! What a fun night!

Sore

5.22.11 - Sore. Painful to the touch; tender.


I have been incorporating a couple of Zumba workouts per week into my routine. I am sure it will be a GOOD thing eventually, but right now - my sore quads beg to differ!

Slacking

5.21.11 - Slacking. Lacking in activity.


I have been slacking where my word of the day is concerned...stepping it back up!!

AtoZ Update

I know that it has been some time since I have updated my book blog and I am here to explain what has been going on. There have been some changes afoot! My NBFF Lara let me know that she needed to modify the reading challenge that we had set for ourselves this year (52 books alphabetical by title, then again by author). That was a blow, but it was also completely understandable! Both of us are single moms, both of us are moving to new homes, both of us have full-time jobs and we want a life too! So when she stated that she was just going to read 26 books this year, that seemed sane to me. Problem is - I am far from sane!

Between the months of March and May, I also went through some changes. My house was contaminated, I needed to find a place to live for me and my daughter and I needed to maintain my life. All hard things to do - but did them I did. So - what gave? What gave was books - but not in the sense that you think. Since April 8th, I have actually read 18 books!! Now - only one of these books would I consider to be literature (Water for Elephants)...the others were pure pulp fiction. Books that follow a specific pattern, character style, outcome, etc. Books that I could escape into and finish in as little as one to two days. They were genre specific (fantasy, romance, vampire) and often they were part of a series. Will I bore you all with reviews on each one of these books - nope, I won't. Will I list all of them? Maybe.

We all have ways of escaping what is going on around us. Trite books have and always will be that for me. The covers can be embarassing, the stories simple, the characters standard - but I love them because there is always a happy ending. Sometimes when you are in turmoil, a happy ending is the best medicine. SO - I will complete my challenge of 52 books this year...but I may not hit every letter in the alphabet and I may not write a review for all of them and they may not all be prize-winning literature. But - slowly, I am moving back to my base and there will be something for you all to read and to enjoy (hopefully)! The thing about books is that they mean something different to each and every one of us - I am so glad to have them when I need an escape and so glad to have them when I want to learn something new. I am just so very, very grateful for books.

Irony

5.18.11 - Irony. Incongruity between what is expected to be and what actually is, or a situation or result showing such incongruity.

In a glaring example of irony, I drove behind a Waste Management truck this morning that had trash spewing from it...ugh!

Gripping

5.16.11 - Gripping. Take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly.


I had forgotten how gripping a well-written TV show could be. The season finale of Castle was fantastic, I could not look away.

Full

15 May 2011 - Full. Rich in experience.


This weekend was full!! I learned new things, met new people and hung out with friends! It was a great weekend!

Piccolo

5.11.11 - Piccolo. A small flute pitched an octave above a regular flute.


BG will be playing the piccolo next year in band! We picked up the new instrument today. 

Hunk

5.11.11 - Hunk. A large piece of something, esp. one of food cut or broken off a larger piece.


I don't want a hunka, hunka burning anything...just saying.

Perplexed

5.9.11 - Perplexed. Filled with confusion or bewilderment; puzzled.


Hearing my daughter yelling at the TV perplexed me...finding out that she was watching WWE Monday Night Raw perplexed me even further! Her step-brother is a fan and now, apparently, so is she. Odd. 

Mother

5.8.11 - Mother. A female person who is pregnant with or gives birth to a child.


That is the literal definition of a mother, but we all know that is just the start of being a mother. Add counseling, doctoring, judge and jury, teacher and friend to the list. Without my mother, I would be lost. She teaches me every day how to be a better mom to my dear BG. So thank you Ma for giving birth to me! 
.

Graduation

5.7.11 - Graduation. The ceremony at which degrees are conferred.


Today was graduation day at Le Cordon Bleu! Congrats to the grads and especially to my favorite pastry chefs who all received their Bachelors degrees today: Chef Ransom, Chef Starkey and Chef Cipriano!! YAY!

Adjust

5.6.11 - Adjust. To change so as to match or fit.

BG and I are adjusting to the new place. She has a goose egg on her noggin - she miscalculated where the door was! It will get better.

Blank

5.5.11 - Blank. Devoid of writing, images, or marks


My mind is blank...I think it was so full of things to do and thoughts, that now I have nothing. 

Puberty

5.4.11 - Puberty. The stage of adolescence in which an individual becomes physiologically capable of sexual reproduction.


Tonight BG and I learned all about puberty along with some other moms and daughters at the annual tea sponsored by the school nurse. After BG looked over the list of puberty indicators - she proclaimed, "I am SO in puberty". Cracked me up!

Drunk Dial

4.30.11 - Drunk Dial. When an intoxicated individual places a call to friends, family or strangers.


My friend Chris likes to give me a call whenever he has had a few. We have had some of our greatest conversations during these sessions and I treasure those moments! 

Frenzy

4.29.11 - Frenzy. A state of violent mental agitation or wild excitement.


After a frenzied Friday, I am finally resting in my bed with a book by my side in my new abode. A lot of things are unpacked, others things are not. I am choosing tomorrow to deal with what's left undone. 

Compliment

4.27.11 - Compliment. A polite expression of praise or admiration.

Today I received a compliment for giving a compliment! Let me explain. I complimented the way a friend applied her eye make-up today. Super smoky and sexy - awesome! She thanked me and told me that she always likes my compliments because I point out something specific that I like, instead of the general - you look nice. I think we all love a compliment - but specificity really brings it home!

SEO

4.25.11 - SEO. Search Engine Optimization.


Working with @girlongoogle tonight. She is showing me how to use SEO to garner more traffic to the Pop Culture Website!! We're going to be bad ass, ya'll!!

Murse

4.22.11 - Murse. A male handbag, or man-purse.


I don't care if you call it a satchel or whatever - it's a purse. Own it men!

Advertising

4.21.11 - Advertising. The activity or profession of producing advertisements for commercial products or services.


I am looking forward to catching Morgan Spurlock's (SuperSize Me) new film Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, were among many other things he will discuss the role of advertising and product placement by making a film that was entirely financed by product placement and advertising. It opens this weekend and if you are in the Phoenix area, it will be playing at Camelview this weekend. I may see you there.

Walking

4.19.11 - Walking. Move at a regular and fairly slow pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once.


I walk everyday - and often in four inch heels. Tonight I put on some flat shoes (not sneakers) and walked for about a mile and a half. It was gorgeous outside and it was nice to have some alone time with my thoughts and some music.

Countdown

4.18.11 - Countdown. The final moments before a significant event and the procedures carried out during this time.

The countdown has begun...I will be back in my own place in T minus 13 days. My roommate is wonderful and I am so thankful to have a place to lay my head, but I am more than ready to be back in my own space.

 

Dawdle

4.16.11 - Dawdle. Waste time; be slow.


I love my tax clients, but the dawdlers that give me their tax information on the Thursday before tax day make me a little melancholy...

Disappear

4.14.11 - Disappear. Cease to be visible. Cease to exist or be in use.

It seems that our Pop Culture World News Facebook page has disappeared...my editor and I are trying to figure out what the hell happened to it. Pfft...

Contract

4.13.11 - Contract - An agreement between two or more parties, especially on that is written and enforceable by law.


So happy - today I signed a contract to do my radio segments for a year - and BONUS - they are paying me to do something that I truly love to do! 

Team

4.12.11 - Team. A number of persons associated in some joint action.


We all need a little teamwork to get by in the world! I would have been lost today without an assist from my work husband Raul! Thank you!!

Pulp Fiction

4.11.11 - Pulp Fiction. Fiction dealing with lurid or sensational subjects, often printed on rough, low-quality paper manufactured from wood pulp.


I'm not talking about the film, Pulp Fiction, I am talking about good, old-fashioned books. I love reading!

Homophone

4.10.11 - Homophone. One of two or more words, such as night and knight, that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning, origin and sometimes spelling.


Attention Tweeters, Facebookers, Texters and Bloggers...your is of or relating to you (possessive) and you're is a contraction of you are. Think of this quick sentence before pressing send...
You're certain this is your book?? 
They are homophones. Thank you for your support.

Musical

4.9.11 - Musical. A play or movie in which singing and dancing play an essential part. Musicals developed from light opera in the early 20th century.

Tonight I shared my love of the movie musical with BG. On a blustery night like tonight, we watched Singin' In The Rain. She loved it and so did I!

Musical Instrument

4.7.11 - Musical Instrument. Any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds.


Today BG and I visited the Musical Instrument Museum...we spent just over four hours there and still did not see and hear everything they had to offer. What a great day!

B - Bet Me - Jennifer Crusie (432 pages)

I have not read a straight-up romance novel in 20 years or more. They were all pretty formulaic, bodice-ripping things with vapid heroines being saved and wooed by ridiculously non-real men. Great for a few hours of escape but nothing much more than that, nothing I could recall even hours after I had finished them. They were true "pulp fiction". Last week on Pop Culture Happy Hour (a wonderful podcast) Linda Holmes suggested that we (the audience) check out some smart romance novels and this book was one that she recommended. She was so enthusiastic - it was hard not to get caught up. I purchased it Saturday morning and finished it Sunday night. It was good!


Now, you might call this chick lit, but it isn't...the main character in this book was somehow smarter (Minerva is an actuary for goodness sake) and was less reliant on the love thing needing to happen. She was practical and hilarious and her group of friends were engaging. Her friends and their conversations reminded me of some of the raucous chats that my girlfriends and I share. And the guy (Calvin - aka Cal) was great as well. Not some impossibly perfect man that is meant to come in and save Min from the doldrums of her own existence. They become true friends before they jump into bed. The cat and mouse play was cute and satisfying. When they did get to bed - watch out!! Ms. Crusie knows how to write a sex scene!! 


If this is a genre that you have poo-poo'd in the past. Check this offering out. It was an immensely engaging read and I am still thinking about the characters now, five days after completing it. I try not to be a book snob - but romances fell into the "low-brow" category for me...Jennifer Crusie and Linda Holmes helped to change my mind. I will absolutely be reading more of Ms. Crusie's work.

Sister

4.6.11 - Sister. A woman or girl in relation to other daughters and sons of her parents.


Today is my sister's birthday. When she was a kid - she bugged me. When she was a teen - she pissed me off. When she became an adult, we became friends! 


Happy birthday sister!

Gadget

4.5.11 - Gadget. A small mechanical device or appliance.


I am generally a big fan of gadgets, but tonight - one proved to be the bane of my existence. All I wanted was a small Bailey's Shake to savor after dinner. The Magic Bullet created the perfect shake - but when I went to pour it in my cup - the bottom of the Bullet detached...my perfect shake ended up all over the counter and the floor. CRUSHED! 

Nap

4.4.11 - Nap. To sleep for a brief period, often during the day; doze.


Today I got up VERY early after sleeping less than my normal 4-6 hours last night. When I got home from work I actually took a hour and a half power nap! It was awesome. 

Celebrate

4.1.11 - Celebrate. To observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing.

Tonight it was great to celebrate with friends and Mexican food! Birthdays are great! Happy birthday Katrina!

F (Author) - Crescendo - Becca Fitzgerald (Hush, Hush #2) (427 pages)

Cool things happen when you read a book a week. I was contacted by a representative of Sea Lion Books, a new publishing house. They recently acquired the rights to Hush, Hush and they will be turning that book into a graphic novel! I think this is a story that will lend itself well to the graphic touch. Patrick from the company wanted to thank me for the review I had written and wanted to let me know about upcoming Sea Lion titles! See kids - Reading IS Fundamental!


Now on to Crescendo...Nora and Patch and the gang are back in this second installment of the Hush, Hush series. Nora makes some discoveries about her past, her father's death, a potential sibling and some big bad's from other worlds that want to get rid of her. Patch is less evident in this book as they have a semi-break up in this one. Nora and her bestie meet new people and create some new adventures. 


I still read this book at a pretty fast clip, but I will say that it decrescendo'd more than it crescendo'd for me. Some of the story was flat and formulaic. I cannot tell if that was because Fitzgerald pushed pretty quickly to get this second book out or if the story was just less interesting. In my defense, second books in series usually don't pass muster with me and then there is redemption in book three...seriously hoping that is the case with this series. I have some time before number three drops - but I am looking forward to seeing how the saga wraps up. This was a nice read - just not as engrossing as the first. Still worth checking out.

Remembrance

4.1.11 - Remembrance. A memory of a person, thing, or event.


Today would have been my grandmother's 78th birthday. Missing you, Connie the Great.

Delete

3.31.11 - Delete. To remove bu striking out or canceling.


Sometimes it feels so GOOD to press the delete button! Just cleared out a bunch of old contacts from my phone and email. 

Okie-Doke

3.30.11 - Okie-Doke. Believing a lie; falling for a scam; a con-game; untruths; fraud, etc.


What Grandma keeps falling for now that BG is hanging with her more frequently! The girl get flat-ironed hair because she remembered a Grandma caveat...smart girl!

Drats

3.29.11 - Drats. Damn - used as a mild oath.


BG - after making a fried egg for breakfast: Drats - I should have made sausage!

Blargh

3.28.11 -  Blargh

I can't think of a word today...blargh!

H - Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick (391 pages)

This book represents three of my favorite things...supernatural events, young adults and its a series! I was introduced to this book by a friend of mine, Dawn. She follows what I read and she suggested this book. The suggestion and the loaning of the book came right on time as it was Friday evening and I had not yet cracked open my book for the week! Sometimes that happens. So, on Friday night, when I cracked this one open - I found myself forcing the book close at about 2a and about half of the book devoured.


This book tracks the life of high school sophomore Nora Grey and her best friend Vee. Nora's father has been murdered and her mom has to work out of town to make enough money to continue to pay for their house, expenses, etc. In a bit of a nod to Twilight (though I am not sure that the author wants that comparison) Nora gets a new Biology partner that she can't stand but with whom she ends up falling in love. In many ways this is a standard YA love romance, but in other ways it feels a little bit more than that.  


Patch (the boy) and Nora's story is simple at the surface...but he is a fallen angel with some issues to work out on Earth and she is the daughter of a murdered man who longs for answers to what truly happened. In true YA fashion - there is a lot of kissing, but it never moves past that since they are teenagers. There are fights, misunderstandings, and even some tragedies...is this Pulitzer Prize winning fare - but it is engaging and that always gets a vote from me. Try this one out if you are in the mood for something off of the beaten path!

Wimpy

3.27.11 - Wimpy. A timid or unadventurous person.


BG and I saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. It was cute.

Facts

3.26.11 - Facts. Something believed to be true or real.


Putting up my daily facts on The Facebook, is one of the highlights of my day!

Mundane

3.25.11 - Mundane. Relating to, characteristic of, or concerned with commonplaces; ordinary.


Ryan: Taste that deviled egg, it is sub-par, mundane
Me: Then why would I want to eat that??

Blues

3.23.11 - Blues. A style of music that evolved from southern African-American secular songs and is usually distinguished by a strong 4/4 rhythm, flatted thirds and sevenths, a 12-bar structure, and lyrics in a three-line stanza in which the second line repeats the first.


Tonight my mother and I taught BG about the blues! We created some really fun songs...da duh da duh...

Eclectic

3.22.11 - Eclectic. Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sourxes, systems or styles.

My friend Thomas says that I need to choose more eclectic words of the day...words like eclectic.

Unproductive

3.21.11 - Unproductive. Not productive; idle.

Having the same variation of the same argument every two weeks is unproductive - the outcome is the same; neither of us wins. UGH!

Accomplished

3.20.11 - Accomplished. Successfully completed; achieved.


Today I only had a few things on my list to get done - the main thing was to complete my outstanding book reviews! Thanks to both Barnes and Noble and Starbucks (wi-fi) I was able to knock all three reviews out! 

X - X in Flight - Karen Rivers (250 pages)

As you may recall, this year's book project is to read a book for each letter of the alphabet (title and again for author). So what can happen, unfortunately, is that you get default books here and there simply because they meet your criteria. This book falls somewhat into that category. I found the story hot and cold. 


The title X is Xenos a bi-racial, First Nations (what equivalent to the Native Americans) boy with pimples, angst and the surprising ability to fly. This book actually follows three teens X, Ruby (a classmate) and Cat (X's girlfriend). The author chooses to move the story along by flipping the perspective in each chapter. X's chapters are told in letter form (first person). He is writing to Ruby - a girl he rarely interacts with but believes that they may be good for one another. Ruby's chapters are told in second person (a la Bright Lights, Big City - Jay McInerney). I will admit that these were the hardest chapters to get into because it was a foreign way to read. Finally Cat's chapters were told in the standard third person.


These teens basically go on about what is going wrong in their lives, believing that this is all that there will ever be to their lives. Angsty for sure - but at times highly entertaining and engaging and poignant. The novel sort of plods along for a majority of the pages - but just when I was about to give up the last 50 pages sucked me in and held me captive. Like the teens that they are - poor decisions are made, actions regretted and lessons are taught and learned. 


In this debut novel - Rivers displays an interesting writing style. I was not sure that I got it at first, but slowly it was worth the price of admission. This is the first in a trilogy (lucky for me Y and Z follow) centering on a character with supernatural abilities and a few people in their lives. I will check out the others in the series but will space them out. This book left me thinking - as isn't that the sign of something to come?

Tattoo

3.19.11 - Tattoo. A permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars.


Today I added to my collection of tattoos...it's an addiction.

Alien

3.18.11 - Alien. A creature from outer space.


I saw a great movie tonight, "Paul". He is an alien and he is hilarious! Kudos to cast and crew - really well done! It is rated R so not appropriate for the kiddies!

Madness

3.17.11 - Madness. Enthusiasm; excitement


I love the Madness that is March!!
 

Green

3.16.11 - Green. Green color of pigment; resembling the color of growing grass.


I had to make a quick trip to Target this evening so that I could buy a green blouse...no green = no jeans tomorrow. I love jeans, had to get the top!

Reunion

3.15.11 - Reunion. The act or process of coming together again.


I had a great reunion with my college friend Stacie! We determined that it has been 9 years since we have seen each other! Entirely too long!

Anything

3.14.11 - Anything. (pronoun) Any object, occurrence, or matter whatever. (adverb) to any degree or extent; at all

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all

Behind

3.13.11 - Behind. In arrears; late


I am behind on book reviews, though caught up on books. As a matter of fact - I have less than 100 pages left in this week's book (which I started today)! That is good because I will need all of the extra time this week to actually write 3 reviews!! My goodness!

Speechless

3.12.11 - Speechless. Temporarily unable to speak, as through astonishment.


Sometimes I look at my child and I am speechless. I am so blessed to have a girl who is a beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside and who keeps me on my toes! Everyday is not sunshine and roses - but, sunshine and roses are sometimes overrated.

M - My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands - Chelsea Handler (213 pages)

I am not a fan of Chelsea Handler, have never seen her show and when I have caught glimpses of her shtick I often find her irritating. So color me surprised at deriving some actual laugh out loud enjoyment from this memoir. 


Chelsea's drug-addled attempts to hook-up with many and varied men from her early to mid twenties provided a lovely escape from the mundane. Oftentimes Chelsea found herself in absolutely cringe-worthy situations which made me both want to read on and simultaneously close the book! My favorite story came from the telling of her short fling with a Vegas stripper. You must read it to find out more.


This book is not at all for the feint of heart. Chelsea is crude, explicit and without remorse. I might call this a guilty pleasure as it was often unnerving to be seen reading this book in public - but the humor infused in this quick read got me through those trying moments pretty easily. If reading about dalliances with little-people and encounters with even odder cruise ship performers are not your cup of tea, you will want to skip this book. But if you are interested in seeing how someone could hit bottom and make their way back to the top, this glimpse into a life is well worth your time. 

Amiable

3.11.11 - Amiable. Friendly and agreeable in disposition; good-natured and likeable


BG: Grandma - you are amiable.
Grandma: Sometimes...
BG: Come on Grandma - I have to use this word in a sentence as many times as I can this weekend, just be amiable.

Culinary

3.10.11 - Culinary. Of or relating to the kitchen or cookery.


Although I work at a culinary school, today was the first day that I was able to cook in one of the kitchens! Thanks to Chefs Hutchins and Getchell for teaching my team and I many cool things!

Resilient

3.9.11 - Resilient. Returning to the original form or position after being bent, compressed, or stretched. Springing back; rebounding.

My dear friend Stacie gave me a great compliment this morning. She told me that I was resilient and this week I feel like that is the truth! Thank you Stacie!

Trifling

3.8.11 - Trifling. Lacking in usefulness or value

The moving company that I scheduled is trifling! How can you verify an appointment at 2p today and then cancel at 5p?? Ugh! Thanks to my friend Erica I had a back-up plan - but please!! 

To Do List

3.7.11 - To Do List. A piece of paper, body part, or electronic device that lists tasks that need to be completed.

Contrary to popular belief...I an not a fan of to do lists. I love every other kind of list, but a to do list makes me feel like a failure for not completing all of those things to do. My to do list is mocking me right now - fail. 

Irk

3.6.11 - Irk. To be irritating, wearisome, or vexing to.


No one irked me and I hope I haven't been irksome to anyone else, I just like the way the word irk sounds.

C - Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Line of Girlie-Girl Culture - Peggy Orenstein (288 pages)

This is not a memoir, not a novel but pure non-fiction discussing the "pinking" of little girls in today's society. Being the mother of a 10-year-old girl, I was intrigued when I heard Orenstein and Diane Rehm discussing it on NPR. There was a time when children's television shows were not created just to sell toys to children. When I was a kid it was very hard to find a Sesame Street t-shirt, much less a stuffed toy - today you cannot throw a rock without hitting some merchandise targeted towards our kids.


Today pink = green (money) in the world of marketing. Princesses and everyday items tinted pink are pervading the psyche of the young girl. Orenstein queries what is actually wrong with the Cinderella image. Nothing at all if your goal is to be valued solely for your looks and to be rescued from a bad or poor existence by a handsome and wealthy guy. There can be no higher value in a princess than materialism. She also notes that princesses are not exactly the girl-bonding sort (check out any merchandise that features all of the princesses together - they are often back to back, none actually looking at another). There is very little room on a throne. This is not exactly the best way to win friends and influence people! Self-realization has been replaced by self-marketing. 


Sometimes I felt the book was a bit heavy-handed, I mean - I want my daughter to chose pink if she likes it - but I also want her to be able to wear soccer shorts and Converse tennis shoes if that strikes her fancy (and it often does). Orenstein brings up many great points, especially points related to the marketing of things to young girls. It was enough information to keep me a little more vigilant about the movies, books, and TV that my daughter consumes - but it also allows me to have conversations with her about what it is she is watching and the impact it may have on her. 


If you are the mother of a young girl - this is an extremely informative and eye-opening read. Check it out. 
  

Drowsy

3.3.11 - Drowsy. Dull with sleepiness; sluggish


Slightly drowsy tonight - still have a few tasks to complete.

Overwhelmed

3.2.11 - Overwhelmed. To affect deeply in mind or emotion.


So much on my plate right now...my tiny plate is overwhelmed.
  

Spacers

3.1.11 - Spacers. Are rubber bands or sometimes metal appliances used in orthodontics before braces are applied on teeth or a palatial expander is applied in the mouth and are put on the molars at the second orthodontic appointment.


BG got spacers today...she is a little sore and my checkbook is a lot lighter.