Monday, June 25, 2012

Warning: Unsettling Bathing Suit Shots Ahead


Steve Martin is hilarious. I actually clapped when he showed up in the season finale of Saturday Night Live recently.  His tweets are better than most books.  Including, The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin.

I liked the book, and even did one of those “hmph” out-loud laughs a few times. It was also kind of sad (yes!) and definitely a quick and easy beach read (that was literally dropped in wet sand, oops).  But I didn’t love it – it was just okay.  I liked the development of the main character, but the plot was a little odd and the ending was not believable and totally out of left field.  I think he got tired of book-writing and realized that he is a super rich dude that can just hang on the beach and tweet if he wants to, so he wrapped it up pretty quickly. 

I, only the other hand, am not super rich and am therefore back at work.  I announced to my team that I now require an afternoon nap post-vacation, and got only laughs rather than the calendar management assistance I was hoping for.  

That book will be dropped in wet sand approximately 5 minutes after this photo is taken.
Even an inanimate object was terrified by our swimwear.
Photo Credit: Loyal Tuesday/Thursday Blog Reader Phill

Friday, June 22, 2012

Life is Awesome; Look for Next Week’s Sequel: Life is Terrible


Here is how a recent Best Case Scenario worked out. 

The day before vacation, my book club selected a light, silly perfect-for-the-beach read as our next book.  (Possibly to try and improve reading performance from last time.)   Luckily, I was able to borrow the book the same day and bring it with me to the Outer Banks, where I am currently vacationing. 

(This is likely to be followed up by a Worst Case Scenario, since I have one-fourth of one squinted eye on my email and can tell that work is falling apart and that next week will be just terrible.  But today is a beach day!)

Star Island by Carl Hiaasen was a great beach read.  Fast paced, silly, mindless, and let’s face it kinda trashy.  I haven’t read any of Hiaasen’s books before, but would happily pick up another at some point.  This is one small step up from watching anything on E! but a notable and important step.  Good pick for a book club full of non-readers!
Doing nothing all day brings out the best in people.
*Note: doing nothing for Andrew is working in the morning and
reading emails throughout the day.

I think there are 19 people in this beach house, but I can't keep track.
Here are some of them, with fancy cocktails.

Friday, June 15, 2012

I Thought The Irish Ate Corned Beef & Cabbage Every Single Night


One of my cohorts at work recently said that no one’s life is as perfect as they make it look on their blog.  I am not sure if this comment was directed at me and World’s Best Dog Norman or not.  Perhaps it was aimed at my glamorous job in advertising, which gave me the opportunity to drive 4 hours in one day to shadow a call center rep in Manassas, VA this week.  Oh, the stories I could tell about haggling for lower cable prices – I am a hit at parties!

Somehow I found time to finish Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy.  An author I usually love, but much like Jodi Picoult I am getting sick of her.  And yet, I am addicted to buying her books so she can live in Irish luxury.  I’ve definitely bought her a bunch of corned beefs by now (which, according to my boss who married a Real Irish Person that is not what they eat.)  So, if anyone does want to read this book, just borrow it from me – Binchy can eat leftovers tonight.  

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Bookworm Confesses to Dull Blog & Speedy Sock Folding (In That Order)


We had to drive thousands of miles but we made it – Andrew and I finally completed 11/22/63 by Stephen King.  The dramatic ending was underscored by the fact that I ran out of renewals (this was a 25 disc set from the library that I have had since March) which forced us to listen to the last hour off Andrew’s computer in our living room. 

I have never read a Stephen King book before – I think R.L. Stine was my fearful limit at age 9.  But this book is apparently different from his others since it was not in the horror category, and it was pretty awesome.  It definitely could have been a few discs shorter – King is one verbose dude.  But overall it was an awesomely descriptive story, and led to some peaceful car rides that could have otherwise been pretty bleak if we hadn’t been worried about whether the antagonist would be able to save JFK’s life. 

Speaking of bleak, this is a pretty dull entry, and we finished this book a week ago.  I hope this is just a lull, but I could be losing some blogging steam.  What will both of you do with the extra 30 seconds per week if I give this up?  And what would I do with the extra 5 minutes I would have spent blogging?  Eat a sandwich?  Fold 20 pairs of socks?  Give Norman a belly rub?  I better not make any rash decisions here.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Bookworm Hosts Gathering Loosely Defined as Book Club


We had our second book club meeting which has been rebranded as the Golden Mermaid Book Club of Virginia (like us on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/goldenmermaidbc).

As usual this gathering had almost nothing to do with books.  Only two of us had finished the book in its entirety and the rest of the members quizzed us on it.  They seemed so interested in the book that maybe they will go ahead and read it post-club.  

We spent the rest of the time listening to the antics of our club “dictator” and sole male member Mauricio, while eating a medley of salads (chicken, pasta, green bean, fruit, tomato) and laughing our asses off.

Bookworm somehow executes this on a Tuesday evening
after spending the day in Philadelphia with clients.


Club Dictator has low opinion of my home decor.
Brings office photography of (sometimes) President Paige into the mix.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Bookworm Chooses Pickles Over Fashion; Would Do It Again


I know you probably think I look too young to have a 28 year-old younger brother, but alas, it is true.  He reads this blog twice per year, usually right in front of me with running commentary.

Innocent looking family goes on to shock fellow diners
with carb intake in the name of celebration.
Mom had salad.
I digress.  This weekend Andrew and I went up to DC with the fam to celebrate my bro turning 28.  The weekend included a trip to Eastern Market, where we happened upon handbags made of books, a topic covered by this blog before.  These were cool to look at, since the - Artist? Bag Maker Lady?  - used beautiful books to create these glamorous cell phone and wallet holders.  Prices started at $120, which was a little steep for this Bookworm.  My handbag budget = one new purse for Christmas every five years. 

Instead, I bought pickles and peaches.  No regrets!



Purse/Book selection was impressive.
But we've seen it before.

If I did own this purse, I would probably fill it with pickles.