Bookie Q & A

I often visit this bookie-blog that posits questions to its readers about bookie matters. These questions particularly interested me.

Imagine that everything is going just swimmingly. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and all’s right with the world. You’re practically bouncing from health and have money in your pocket. The kids are playing and laughing, the puppy is chewing in the cutest possible manner on an officially-sanctioned chew toy, and in between moments of laughter for pure joy, you pick up a book to read . . .

What is it?

Short stories, some favorites:

Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Madadies

Mary Yukari Water's The Laws of Evening

Amy Hempel's Tumble Home

Anything by Eudora Welty

Okay . . . picture this (really) worst-case scenario: It’s cold and raining, your boyfriend/girlfriend has just dumped you, you’ve just been fired, the pile of unpaid bills is sky-high, your beloved pet has recently died, and you think you’re coming down with a cold. All you want to do (other than hiding under the covers) is to curl up with a good book, something warm and comforting that will make you feel better.

What do you read?

Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar

Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale

…I tend to ruminate rather than attempt to be or feel comforted. It's the depressive in me.

Now you!

SK Update

Lots of people have been asking me how SK's new job is working out. I hesitate to speak for him so, instead I will post the content of an email I received from him just this very day. Read on.

I think a symptom of the problem with the culture of this office is even the slovenly, slightly overweight, former jock/frat boys crave flavored coffees with names like caramel drizzle and misty Irish mint. They keep carafes of the stuff hot and ready at all times of the day and work it into their fantasy football and NASCAR conversations.

I just can't abide by that.

So, yeah...he's not in love with it.

Busy

Yeah, I've been super busy but can't point to anything in particular that has kept me so. I'll write a bit here but mostly intend to escape to a book tonight. Speaking of which, I am currently reading this and am enjoying it quite a bit. I picked it up after reading three Anita Shreve's in quick succession. Two of which I would highly recommend. But, alas, you must wait for my 2007 reading round-up before you get the specifics. Fear not, we're already into fall. But a few months and you'll be feasting your eyes on it.

Other stuff:

I feel sorry for Britney and no longer have even a tiny crush on Sarah Silverman.

They cut down a huge tree on my block and Ubs, when noticing, put his hand to his chest, turned slowly to me, looked up and said, "That hurts my heart." Damn right it does. We need to seriously consider such impacts when deciding to do such treachery as butchering trees god dammit. Freakin' south philly tree-haters.

I want to get this book. Again with the books...gotta stop.

I'm decided and voting for Hil. You heard it here first.

I miss my friend poppy.

We get to go the the Poconos this weekend if we want. The evil renters have left.

I'm intentionally not commenting on the date.

SK is hot.

I'm out.