Vote for Chess!

Hey, guys!

I'm going to be going out of town for the next week, so I won't be on the blog too much (if at all).  But, I wanted to ask you all to do me a favor, and vote for my blogging buddy Chess on Blogger Idol!  I'm sure many of you already know Chess, but for those of you who don't you can check out her blog here.  She's a total sweetheart, and deserves to win this competition!  Please vote :)  This week is going to be extra special, since she's listing some of her favorite blogs for one of the Blogger Idol activities, and I'm one of the blogs she's mentioning :)  Thanks, Chess!  You can find the link to vote for her here.  Voting begins on Wednesday, at noon CST.  Please vote!!!! :D

Epic Win!

I got lucky today!

Help!

My dear readers, I'm afraid I must ask for your assistance...

I've been having a bit of trouble reading these past few weeks.  I don't mean dyslexia or anything, rather, I can't find anything that really grabs my attention.  I've read a ton of stuff, started a lot of books, but I've not found anything that really wows me.....nothing that makes me think Now THAT was a really good book!  It just feels mechanical and dull.  I just don't feel motivated (and being an English major, that is the kiss of death!) 

So, that's where you guys come in.... Does anyone have a good book to recommend?  A real page turner for me to sink my teeth into?  I'd really appreciate your suggestions, and please rest assured that genre does not matter!  All I know is that if I don't read a good book soon, I'm afraid this disenchanted bookworm will turn into an illiterate pumpkin before the first day of classes!

Hats

Sarah and I went out fedora shopping today.  I didn't get anything, but she found a very cute charcoal and white pinstripe basket-weave fedora that looks really stylish on her.  I found one I rather liked, but thought it was too much like the one I already had, so I decided not to buy it.

But, I have a question for you guys.....Does it make me weird or a geek because I could identify the differences between a straw fedora and a straw homburg? :P  I think it just might....

P.S. I want to thank Sarah for the most epic day!  NOTHING beats hat shopping, makeovers, getting completely lost, and blasting Les Miserables on the radio (and of course our jokes about Javert!  I would list them here, but I think out of context, they would make us look rather insensitive, lol.)

Don't Worry: I'm Still Alive!

I've just been rather AWOL from the blog lately.  Lots of reading, movies, music, and writing, though.  And, I've been giving my time to the local assisted living, spending time with the seniors.  One of my grandparents' friends, Peter, is there for rehab, and even though he's suffering from the early stages of dementia, we've quickly become buddies.  He's such a sweetheart, and very funny.  He keeps making me laugh :)  He's always been quite the comedian, and it's encouraging that he hasn't lost his sense of humor!

My time working with Peter has done wonders for me.  Not only does volunteering make me feel good inside, but Peter always has a kind word or compliment for me...and, well, it might be shallow, but it always feels really good to hear something like that.  I don't usually think of myself as a really "smiley" person, but I can't keep a smile off my face when I'm with the residents of the assisted living.  Peter loves to comment on it: "Where did you get that pretty smile?" and "I'm going to need some sunglasses; your smile's so bright!"  His kind words only make me smile even more.

In my free time, I've been trying to teach myself to crochet, as well as learn some new knitting techniques.  By the end of the summer, I'm hoping to start working on a new knitting project.  I found a book of darling stuffed animals to knit, so I'm just trying to decide which to make.  It's a toss up right now between the tiger, koala, elephant, and hippo.

My reading has been going well.  Right now, I'm enjoying the elusive If on a Winter's Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino, and another of his books (which I don't like quite as much) The Baron in the Trees (Sarah, I found it!!)  My movie selections have been Universal horror films, and some random films that my parents and brother have picked out.  Loved The Pirates of the Caribbean (I-III) and Fletch (starring Chevy Chase). Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure was interesting, but too corny for me....but, I did love the "historical" bits, like how Billy the Kid and Socrates become best friends, and Napoleon Bonaparte is being "babysat" by Ted's little brother.

More updates soon.  I promise!  Just been very busy lately.  Hope you all are doing well! 

On a side note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Brittany, Professor Thomas, and both my grandpas, who all celebrate this month!

Weekly Wodehouse #35

"Unseen in the background, Fate was quietly slipping lead into the boxing-glove."

~P.G. Wodehouse