August goes by so fast

It's almost Labor Day already. Where did the summer go. I want to see the leaves change colors. And I want to where a sweater or open the windows. I think I'll book a ticket to Columbus to see my sisters soon!

Book Update
Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage - we read this one for bookclub this month. I found it really boring. Similar to Peace Like a River. All the disfunctional male characters. But the ending was good and I think it will make a good discussion. It was written in the 60s and I guess was fairly controversial due to the homosexual undertones.

I finished Oh My Stars and it was such a fun read. I really enjoy all of this author's books. Great characters and redeeming story.

I also read The Charm School, a mystery adventure by DeVille (or something like that). It was a page turner set during the Cold War with US spies in the USSR trying to solve mysteries of a Soviet school teaching people to act like Americans to come be spies in our country. Reminded me of a good Tom Clancy or Grishim.


TV Update
Six Feet Under - I'm still on the 1st season but what an interesting show. I think the characters are so amazing and raw.

Joan of Arcadia - also rented this show's 1st season DVDs from Netflix. Cute concept, God appears to this teen in various forms.

I've also heard people rave about the tv show The Office, so I added it to my Tivo, tried to watch a few episodes but it cuts a little too close to my real life career so I just couldn't find the humor in it.

Automobiles Suck
So I think someone is trying to send me a sign or maybe I'm jinxed! My car has died on my 3 times in the last week - once a battery, once a corroded connection, and lastly a flat tire. Ahhh... I hate cars. Of course anytime my car is broken I start thinking that I need a new one. But new cars are sooo expensive. I wanted to get an Accord, but Ben has one and it would sure be dumb to have 2 of them in the garage! The cars that made my final list are:
2005 Honda Civic Sedan EX
2005 Toyota Camry XLE V6
2005 Honda CRV
or the practical choice - to keep my Malibu which has no car payment and only 44,000 miles!!

Career/Meaning of Life
I've been thinking alot about alternative careers that may be more rewarding. Somehow I'd love to find a job that including writing, organizing, helping people, and interacting with people. Some of my girlfriends and I dream of opening a community space that would be a yarn store, yoga studio, meeting place, and creative gathering place. Ahhh, if only I could figure out how to make money off of these ideas.

Week with mom

Life Update
My mom was here for a week and left on Sunday. We had lots of fun swimming, shopping, watching movies and eating out.

Our refrigerator went out. Everything is packed in coolers in the kitchen. Total chaos. Of course the 5-year warranty expired in May. Ahh the joys of home ownership. And words of wisdom - frozen pizzas that say do not thaw before cooking - they mean it!

Reading Update
Five People you Meet in Heaven - I think I'm the last person on the planet to read this one. I just thought Tuesdays with Morie was sooo cheesy. But this one was interesting, thought provoking and inspirational. All of our lives are inter-related and we have meaning beyond what we know. Somehow that is very comforting to me.


What's Wrong with Kansas? - I'm still trying to figure out how Bush won Ohio so I figured this book might shed some light on the conservative movement winning the hearts of the Midwest. It was an interesting take on two types of conservatives - one the traditional rich, white, corporate type and the other is more NASCAR, more uneducated, more religious, and more afraid. This group is so interesting because they are truly voting against their own self-interest to support some a party that is spouting a greater moral good, yet only supporting the rich and powerful. The book also talks about some of the mistakes Democrats have made in allowing the Republicans take ownership of traditional values. It seems to me the Republican party does not represent the working class and got most of their votes by exploiting their anger and fear on issues like gun control, abortions, gay marriage, flag burning, patriotism and war on terror, and religion. That's the end of my rant, but the book was enlightening.



Just started the new book by Lorna Landvik - she wrote one of my favorites called Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. Her new book is called Oh My Stars and it's great so far. A little lighter reading than my previous one!

Movies Update
Wedding Crashers - hilarious
After the Sunset - Pierce Bronson and Salma Heyek.... nice
Upside of Anger - totally depressing but a good story
Miss Congeniality 2 - exactly what you expect

TV Update
Well only 5 more weeks until new Alias and Lost episodes.... Light at the end of the tunnel. The spoilers say a major character is going to be killed in Alias and we will all be devastated. If it is Vaughn, I just don't know how I will keep watching! I've been watching Veronica Mars reruns this summer and would highly recommend that show - it's adorable.