Joo-ly, you're a hot, mean one.

So I rode my orange bike, Orangina, to work again today.  It's so hot out; I almost always arrive sweaty.  I'm sorry for that, whoever's reading. 

I finished This Side of Paradise.  The ending was kind of chaotic and not entirely satisfying, but in a way, it was because it felt a lot like life.  Because not everything is tied up perfectly in real life, so to read a book reflecting that was kind of nice.  And, also, why I sometimes had a problem with Harry Potter, because everything always seems to work out and they have the coolest stuff and REAL LIFE ISN'T LIKE THAT, ROWLING.  Then again, there's the whole 'they're wizards and can fly on broomsticks stuff,' so I guess I should keep that in perspective.  Truthfully, I loved Harry Potter, but that is another story for another time.

I've been going to bed SOOOOooo late that I can't function in mornings at all.  I don't normally stay up too late anymore (I did that 100% of the time in college, and when I began to get more sleep upon graduating and becoming a married person, I remembered what being a rational human being was like).

I'm having a love affair with cottage cheese.

I'm very concerned about my poor posture lately.

I was spray painting some things tonight, and I missed and painted my hand.  Now it looks like I had a terrible accident, because my hand is this obscene, bruise-y, purple color.

I'm having a sale on my photo services... 30% off everything.  You can check it out here:  http://aandgphotography.blogspot.com.  Tell yo friends.

Photo from my Holga taken in San Diego.  San Diego is just so charming.

I went to Walmart after 10 pm and bought a dust buster.  Highlight of my DAY.  I plan on vacuuming my stairs.  It's going to be wonderful.

I'm driving my mother-in-law's minivan right now, and I had an epiphany:  people drive minivans because they're so spacious and wondrous.  Minivans are NOT the devil!  My dogs have three rows of seats to choose from when they want to sit their doggy bum bums down, so much room they can go for an entire walk just while I drive around (it's better than the dog park!  I swear!)  I can have my purchases in there, TOO, and the ARM RESTS!  Oh my goodness.  So great. 

So, that's my Wednesday.  It's a good one.  It's a regular one.  Amen.

This side of paradise

If you know me very well, you know that I'm a big reader.  For my birthday, for Christmas, for just about anything, I always want books.  I studied English in college, knowing full well that I probably wouldn't have many career opportunities after graduation; regardless, I studied English (creative writing, actually) because I love writing, reading, books, words, and ideas.

I go through periods where I read a lot, and then have dry spells.  Lately, I'm sort of in-between.  I'm reading This Side of Paradise right now, and it's taken me a while to get through it.  Last night, I found myself stuck in it, turning page after page, then turning on Pedro's lamp to see better, until I was too tired to read anymore.  It's kind of an interesting read--the beginning is really funny, actually.  There are parts that I haven't enjoyed much, where it seems like Fitzgerald wrote stuff just to write stuff and see it in print--though the 19-year-old me probably would have LOVED parts of that--but overall, it's been a pretty good read.

After this, I have a couple books lined up to read, but after that, I'm not sure what I'll read. Reading makes me miss school.

So, my question is this:  what are YOUR favorite books?  What have you read lately that's surprised you?