The Lone Poster.

(That's me!)

I've given up hope that anyone else will carry this, but as long as I have access to internet and a long list of things to do that I am putting off, I will not lower my standards to meet those drooping (dead?) blog standards of the other DMs here at DGCW.

Reading: Riding the Bus with my Sister, The Most Beautiful Book in the World, & ALL-- yes, that's right-- of my homework. (?!)
Listening: to loyolacauditions. (budump CHING!)
Watching: gleeeeee! I actually like Fox for that hour of every week. Oh, and giraffes.
Wearing: my heart on my sleeve. and lots of baby fluids on my clothes because of little michael.
Wanting: contemplation time?

Remember me bragging about my summer reading list? Ironically enough, I stopped reading mid-July. Regardless, my book total reached a whopping 13 by the end of the summer, not counting the several books I began but haven't yet gotten through. Here's my list:
1. This I Believe-- an AWESOME, AWESOME compilation of very short (talking 350 words) essays written by extraordinary "ordinary," as well as famous, people; the topic of every essay was the central belief in that person's life. It's based on an NPR program that started in the 50s. Check out the website: http://www.thisibelieve.org.
2. Einstein's Dreams-- this is a VERY quick read that imagines what kind of dreams and scenarios were running through Einstein's head just before his theory of relativity came out. Mind-boggling yet colored with emotion and personal stories!
3. Code Orange-- Caroline B. Cooney was one of my favorite authors back when I was a teeny-bopper (ha), so I thought I'd check out one of her newer books that my mom brought home from work (she works in a library, fyi). It's about some kid getting smallpox. I wanted to burn the book for, like, the first half, but the end is excellently cool.
4. A Thousand Splendid Suns-- I couldn't find enough words for this one if I tried. AWESOME. INCREDIBLE. PHENOMENAL. HEART-WRENCHING. yes, yes, yes. I am always blown away when a male author can so eloquently and accurately write about challenges of women in the world.
5. The Alchemist-- Oh, come on-- you all know how I feel about this. It's also an easy read (read it in a few hours, so seriously, it is) and it's loaded with wisdom for people attempting to make important life (and perhaps lifeSTYLE) choices. I eat this shit up.
6. The Laramie Project-- This one is my all-time favorite play, so I figured reading the book would vividly bring it back for me. It features real interviews from townspeople of Laramie, Wyoming right after Matthew Shepard (a gay college student) was murdered in a hate crime. (Is all murder hate crime, to some extent?)
7. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim-- David Sedaris. Need I say more?
8. How to Be a Pirate-- This little ditty was a beginner's chapter book that my mom nabbed for me a few years ago to humor my obsession with pirates. It was ok. The best part of the story is the main character discovered he was left-handed, and we ALL know (or should know after this sentence!) how I feel about left-handed people...if you are left-handed, I like you more than I liked the presumed-right-handed you.
9. The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived-- I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, ever, in the history of the world. I learned so much, I chuckled frequently, and each name is fairly short so you can read them with 5-10 extra minutes here and there. What a lovely presence in my life.
10. My Only Story-- I didn't have high expectations for this book because I paid for it entirely in coins from LUC's bookstore's bargain books section. It was SO touching, SO sad, but was all about personal growth and knowing oneself...It was the perfect time for me to read it. :)
11. The Glass Castle-- Oh my GOSH I loved this book. It is beautifully written, has a lot of very interesting undercurrents about education, healthcare and poverty, and it also stands as a counterexample to the horrible stereotypes that plague people living in poverty. I saw so much strength in this author and her family...And I still wonder about the glass castle, too. :)
12. Running With Scissors-- Augusten Burroughs, ladies and gentlemen! I hold him in an even higher esteem than I do David Sedaris, so that says a lot. This book was great, but I must confess I see short stories as his forte after reading this one. Enjoyable, regardless.
13. The Midwife's Apprentice-- The final book completed this summer was also a short one. It was a cute little tale, though, and of COURSE it was about following one's heart to do what makes one happy, and facing challenges that try to keep us from those passions we chase. Like I said, I'm such a sucker.

Anyone even get to the bottom of this?!