“I'd like to read a book sometime. I've never read a book before. That'd be an adventure. I understand they have pages and everything. Yeah, I've got to do that sometime.”
-Frank Oz
Last weekend, I curled up with a book on the futon in the guest bedroom while Rob played old-school video games in there. It was a wonderful, relaxing way to spend Easter Sunday. The book of choice… No, not the best seller that I’ve been painstakingly trying to wade myself through. No, not the classic that is this month’s book club selection. No, this time I was curled up with Stephanie Plum.
I’ve collected all of the books in the series as they’ve come out in paperback. I wait patiently from the time I see the hardback released. I’ve let my friend Hillary borrow them when she needs some new to read. She went on vacation a month or so ago, taking a couple more with her. When she got back, she returned those that she had borrowed and added two new ones to the collection, one of which I had somehow skipped. They’ve been sitting on my shelf, calling to me every time I walked by.
But last weekend, I took them up on their offer. I escaped into the world of Stephanie Plum, Joe Morelli, and Ranger. Rob made fun of me for reading my smutty chick lit, and I couldn’t really argue with him, except to say, “But they’re really good! There’s usually one good sex scene in each novel, but usually there are more exploding cars than sex. Mostly it’s just a story about a bumbling girl who naps criminals and bondees whether she plans to or not.
I get so pulled into the story that I could read them in one sitting, if there just wasn’t anything else to do. But since there is, I just eagerly wait until I can sit down with the book again. And when I finish a book, I’m always left wanting more. This time I was lucky enough to have two unread books, so when I finished with Ten Big Ones, I could start Twelve Sharp. However, after Twelve Sharp…
So, what did I do yesterday while Rob was playing basketball at the gym? I ran to the store to buy another one of Janet Evanovich’s books. Gotta feed the addiction.
Here's a pic from 2004, when I hung out all afternoon at Barnes and Noble waiting to meet Janet Evanovich.
"Let's make a deal!"
-Game show hosted by Monty Hall
Conversation heard from out dinner table last night after a not-so-tasty meal of gnocche and marinara (another story, not worth telling, trust me!)
J: (flipping through the newest Crate and Barrel catalog) Oh, I love this chair! (pointing an image of the chair below) Honey, can I have this chair?
R: (flipping through the weekly ads that come in the mail and then we throw away each week) Oh honey, can I have this Big Mac? (pointing at the sandwich shown below)
J: I'll make you a deal. If you let me get this chair, I'll let you get that Big Mac.
R: Well, do you have a coupon for your chair? I've got one for my Big Mac. I win!
And so, J was left pondering how wonderful the Marsden Chair would look in their living room.
“He goes by the brand, yet imagines he goes by the flavor.”
-Mark Twain
At work I’m busy in the midst of a big research project. This means going to people’s homes, observing them as they perform their normal routine, and then interviewing them about other aspects of their lives.
After writing the discussion guide and then moderating the interviews, I’m forced to consider my own answers to the questions. One particular question caught my eye, “What brands can you just not live without?” In these interviews, the context is your hair care routine, but what about other aspects of my life?
Rob and I just recently conversed about how we aren’t necessarily swayed by brand names. Maybe it stems from our similar backgrounds where we couldn't just go out and blow money on an expensive brand name. Or maybe we aren't comfortable advertising brands on our backs. Or maybe even we don't think that our lifestyle/personality actually fits the statements that are put forth by certain brands.
But I was curious; I wonder how many brands I am loyal to. Well, after canvassing the drawers, cabinets, & closets in my apartment and mentally walking through the aisles of the local big box store, here goes…
- Clean and Clear
- Dove
- Olay
- Biore
- Chapstick
- Tampax
- DenTek
- Nausene
- Chloroseptic
- Target
- Gap
- Old Navy
- Timberland
- NCAA-Georgia Tech
- Anolon
- Pyrex
- Coca Cola
- Pillsbury
- Mike’s Hard Lemonade
- DiGiorno
- M&Ms
- Trident
- Wendy’s
- Qdoba
- Mazda
- Fontanini
- Google
- CNN
- Amazon.com
And of this list, the two that rate highest on this list. Those for which I accept no substitutes…
Tampax Pearl and Coca Cola Classic.
Tampons and sodas…can’t beat that!
"And if the Easter Bunny had wings, he would fly.”
-John Reeves
The Easter Bunny came to our house this weekend. When Rob woke up, he found two chocolate bunnies (good chocolate, too!) tied up with pink bows on our dining room table. He asked where they came from, and I insisted, “The Easter Bunny must have come.” He just might have believed me. Or maybe not… :) But it didn’t matter much, because the chocolate was on it’s way to our bellies.
Also, take a look at me in my cute new dress that I posted about the other day. I wore it to church on Sunday. It was a little chilly this weekend, so the light aqua cardigan was the perfect accessory. I think I look totally cute, and maybe a little bit indie (although it's hard to tell if you don't see me from head to toe). It's the look I usually only dream of achieving, so please don’t tell me any different!
"I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.”
-Rosalia de Castro
When Rob decided to attend his 3-week leadership training that started the day after our wedding, he asked me if I would be upset if he didn’t actually get promoted before the next session in March.
Well, here we are in mid-March. While I’m not upset that we postponed our honeymoon (our snow trip over New Years was absolutely a dream!), I’m getting a little bummed out that we are still living in the busy city, with no mention of a transfer in our future.
I’m ready to start over, to reinvent myself.
My job’s boring—even when I’m working on the stuff that I enjoy, I’ve gotten bogged down in some commitments that I really can’t leave if I’m still in town. I really want to live in a house with a yard in a city that doesn’t have too much traffic. I want some excitement. I’d jump at the chance to move out West or overseas—those of you who know me in person are probably thinking that someone must have hijacked my site, but no, I’m really itching to get away from here.
Perhaps it’s the first year of marriage that’s got me feeling tied down, but don’t get me wrong, I’d take Rob with me. I don’t know how many times I’ve suggested that he look for a job out in Arizona or someplace. But right now he’s dedicated to the company that he’s been with for 5 years, and they are located almost exclusively in the Southeast. Note to Rob’s boss: please recognize that Rob’s wife wants to move as soon as possible. While exotic, far away locations are ideal, she’ll be grateful for most anything.
