It's Getting Old ... But I'm Not

Today I received the most flattering compliment I have ever received. Alan, our work study student, told me he thought I was 28 or 29!

This might not seem like much, especially to those of you who know I'm 27. Why would I want someone to think I look OLDER than I am?

Because four weeks ago I went to get my ears pierced and the 19-year-old behind the counter asked me if I was 18, then looked at Dave and said, "Oh, that's why you brought your dad." Then, she carded me.

That was not the first time someone has thought I am Dave's daughter. He's 29, people. He didn't even rob the cradle. People always look shocked, SHOCKED, when I tell them I've been married for over six years; like I was some sort of freaky 12-year-old bride or something. Maybe I need a haircut. Or maybe I should cover my face with gobs of makeup. Or I could start using the tanning beds; get a little premature aging going. I'm just about ready to do whatever it takes to stop being asked for my I.D. at R-rated movies.

It's getting old, although apparently, I'm not.

Must. Avoid. eBay.

I am beginning to wonder if I have an eBay addiction. Those who live with me would probably answer a resounding "Hell yeah," but I'm not convinced my ... issues ... are quite to addiction proportions. Sure, I spend at least an hour a day on eBay. Sure, I buy at least one thing a week. Sure, I dream about finding great deals on eBay. Sure, I tell people, "You should look for that on eBay" whenever they mention items they wish to purchase.

But if the dictionary defination of addiction is: a compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance, then is my eBay issue really an addiction? I mean, it's not habit-forming the way tobacco is, right? Of course, the second definition is: The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something. Well, if I'm really honest ... maybe.

I could quit at any time! Really! I swear! I don't need a 12-step program. No one needs to do a hamburger intervention (which wouldn't work anyway since I'm a vegetarian). I don't need to start taking the eBay equivalent of the nicotine patch. Eventually I'll run out of money. Of course, then I can start selling things on eBay, and that's almost as fun....

Gotta go, an auction is ending! ;)

Book 3 : Coffee and Kung Fu

Title: Coffee and Kung Fu

Author: Karen Brichoux

Rating: 8/10

Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: Nicci Bradford doesn't exactly love her job of fixing the grammar in company brochures. What she does love is Kung Fu movies ... especially the ones starring Jackie Chan. Their timeless and inspired widsom offers her a philosophy of life. The problem is, she doesn't have much of a life to philosophize about.

I liked: Unique characters with three-dimensional problems. The style reminded me a lot of Downtown Dandelions, Kevin's NaNoWriMo effort.

I didn't like: Again with the too much sex. Oy!

Best line: Page 94. Why is it that everywhere I go, nowhere feels right?

Name This Blog

It's a blog frenzy today!

As you might have noticed, I haven't really settled on a name for this blog. Suggestions are welcomed.... demanded, really. What are you waiting for? C'mon. Make a suggestion! What are you, scared? Do it, do it, do it, do it....

Um, yeah.

Not Bloody Likely

I read a lot of British fiction -- and I totally dig The Office -- so some British slang has made its way into my vocabulary. Here's a list of British slang I sometimes use.

1. Bloody - One of the most useful British swear words. My favorite example is "not bloody likely." A common example of my usage: Dave, where did you put the bloody [fill in the blank with a common household object]?!?!
   
2. Bollocks - Although it technically means testicles, in its slang usage it means "bullshit" or "rubbish." A common example of my usage: Bollocks, you did!
3. Bugger off - Doesn't really have an American equivalent. Sort of a more harsh "Buzz off." A common example of my usage: Bugger off, I'm trying to blog.
   
4. Cheeky monkey - Self explanatory... A common example of my usage: Ay! You cheeky monkey!
   
5. Knackered - Worn out ... hung over. A common example of my usage: I don't want to go out tonight; I'm completely knackered.
   
6. One off - A one-time event. A common example of my usage: Are we going to do that again or was it a one off?
   
7. Ring - In England, you ring someone .... you don't call them. A common example of my usage: Ring Susan and tell her that bloody realtor called again!
   

No RSS Feed for You!

How many public relations coordinators and IT administrators does it take to hook up an RSS feed. Apparently more than two.

Blogger doesn't offer an automatic RSS feed, only an ATOM feed, but they refer bloggers to an outside service. But that service doesn't have instructions. So we putzed around with all sorts of things and ended up in the same place we were 12 hours ago : no RSS feed.

D'oh!

Hey Na, Na

After I stumbled on to this site that provides song lyrics, I began to wonder .... what are my favorite "phrases" in songs. Here's a little list. Why don't you visit the site and share yours?

U2: Walk On

You're packing a suitcase for a place
None of us has been
A place that has to be believed
To be seen

Sheryl Crow: A Change

Hello it's me, I'm not at home
If you'd like to reach me, leave me alone

77s: Nowhere Else

The moon blew through the valley
Carried away the clouds
The stars seem so much brighter this night
Orion's belt is shinin'
The big dipper's upside down
Over us it's pourin' out it's light

Don't Do Business with Our Buyer's Realtor

Bloody, rotten realtor.

The woman who bought our house waived an inspection. So she was kind of surprised to see the holes in the wall after we took out our surround sound. At closing she and our realtor made an agreement; our realtor Susan would pay to patch the holes and we left paint at the home to paint over them. Well, the buyer sent Susan a bill for patching the holes and for a professional repaint of the entire room. Susan paid only for the patching.

Tonight, at 9:45 p.m., the buyer's realtor called us up and said we either had to make up the difference or give back the speakers.

Real cool.

52 by 52

In response to a blog by Abby about the 50 things she wants to do before she's 50, I have decided to list the 52 things I want to do before I'm 52 (I want to give myself 25 years....)

In random order:

1. Compete in agility on a national level. With a Chihuahua. (Ha!)
2. Write a book that is actually carried in bookstores.
3. Act in a community theater play.
4. Keep a record of every book I read.
5. Take belly dance lessons.
6. Take a Split Rock Arts Program class.
7. Visit the fjords in Norway.
8. Travel to a Caribbean country.
9. Go to Alaska.
10. Live in a small town.
11. Train a pet therapy dog to go to nursing homes.
12. Go to seminary.
13. Swim 3 times a week.
14. Write articles on a freelance basis.
15. Be able to afford working only 32 hours a week.
16. Learn how to ballroom dance.
17. Take adult ballet lessons.
18. Always own a Mac.
19. Keep a dream journal.
20. Get together more regularly with friends.
21. Travel the U.S. in an RV.
22. Audition for a reality television show.
23. Buy a #4 ponytail Barbie.
24. Buy a Bob Mackie Barbie.
25. Wear sunscreen every single day.
26. Try acupuncture.
27. Learn a martial art.
28. Teach dog training.
29. Always own two Chihuahuas.
30. Landscape the backyard.
31. Become fluent in Spanish.
32. Visit a Spanish-speaking country (or Puerto Rico) to prove it.
33. Join a book club.
34. See Dave become an independent film maker.
35. Swim in a shark cage.
36. Go on a whale-spotting cruise.
37. Get highlights instead of talking about getting highlights.
38. Learn how to paint.
39. Keep up with my scrapbook.
40. Complete a NaNoWriMo.
41. Own a racehorse.
42. Never wear mascara.
43. Own a hybrid car.
44. Listen to more classical music.
45. Design a dress.
46. Watch a lamb being born.
47. Go to the mountains.
48. Kayak.
49. Swim with dolphins.
50. Adopt a rescue Chihuahua.
51. Sleep in a lighthouse.
52. Learn Greek.

What about you?

Book 2: The Law of Similars

Title: The Law of Similars

Author: Chris Bohjalian

Rating: 8/10

Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: A riveting medical thriller about a lawyer, a homeopath, and a tragic death. When one of homeopath Carissa Lake's patients falls into an allergy-induced coma, possibly due to her prescribed remedy, Leland Fowler's office starts investigating the case. But Leland is also one of Carissa's patients, and he is begining to realize that he has fallen in love with her. As love and legal obligations collide, Leland comes face-to-face with an ethical dilemma of enormous proportions.

I liked: Great research with a thought-provoking plot, especially given its emphasis on alternative health care given my personal and professional interest in the subject.

I didn't like: Not as much character development as there was in his previous work, "Midwives."

Best line: Page 14. I remember it was Abby's turn to pick the vegetable ("Can mayonnaise be our vegetable tonight?) and say grace (Thank you, God, for the food and the stars and my new Barbie Dream House. Amen."), but it was my turn to choose the movie we'd watch after dinner, and so I picked the shortest tape in my child's ever-swelling collection.

Midge: Barbie's Best Friend

Here is a photo of the beautiful brunette Midge I received on Saturday.

Book 1: High Maintenance

Title: High Maintenance

Author: Jennifer Belle

Rating: 7/10

Genre: "Chick Lit?"

I liked: Unlike most chick lit, the main character wasn't Bridget Jones-y. It wasn't super predictable like most chick lit. There was an element of tension, suspense.

I didn't like: Too much sex.

Best line: Page 303. She always said, "I'm agreeing with," instead of "I agree with," or "I'm feeling," instead of "I feel." I was definately not loving this conversation.

Barbie in Black and White

Barbie is never quite so glamorous as she is black and white.

Blond Bubble-cut Barbie, mint.

Barbies and Books 101

Welcome to my blog! This blog will be all about two of my favorite hobbies: Barbie collecting and books. I read about 100 books a year; mostly in the "literature" genre, although most people agree to disagree about what literature really is. I'll be using my blog to track my reading, give mini reviews and make recommendations for fellow book lovers.

I'm also passionate about collecting Barbies. I currently collect vintage Barbies (pre-1966 only), Dolls of the World and am starting to collect Silkstone Barbies. I also hope to purchase some of the Barbies I had as a kid. I love photographing Barbie -- she was originally a model, you know -- so watch for some stunning Barbie photos in this space!

Speaking of which, here is a photo of my very first bubble-cut Barbie (I have since purchased two more). She is in near-mint condition and I got her for a steal on Ebay. My "Barbie friend" gave me the wonderful stewardess outfit she's wearing. I'll be posting more photos in future posts!