My Latest Obsession

Romeo and Juliet....

Elizabeth and Darcy...

Harry and Ginny...


It's been a long time since I've found another literary couple I can cheer on as fervently as these...

At last I've found one...

Edward and Bella...


They are the two main characters in the highly successful Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I picked up the first book, Twilight, shortly after Mother's Day on the recommendation of my Mother... who hates anything involving Vampires or Werewolves ... and she finished the book in two days. Two days!! I knew it had to be good. I didn't understand just how good...

I'm currently in the beginning chapters of the third book, Eclipse. So, that's what, almost 3 books in as many weeks? Umm, yeah. You REALLY want to read this.

I'm normally not a fast reader. I like to take my time when I read. But the ease in which Stephenie Meyer frames her characters and the world they live in automatically immerses you in their story. You instantly care for them and their... plight. And then there's the inevitable infatuation with Edward Cullen.

I've had grown women call our house and leave messages about how in love with Edward Cullen they are once they found out my Mom was a fan, as well. Then I realize I'm also considered a grown woman... oh, well! I'm actually pretty OK with gushing about how incredibly amazing I think Edward is especially since he's the perfect mix of chivalry, charm, and protector. Since Gilmore Girls went off the air - which I watched religiously with Mom every Tuesday Night for seven seasons - we haven't really found anything else to replace that. And with our new found mutual, shall we say 'respect', for these books and its characters (OK, one in particular) it's almost like having Tuesday night again.

Since we're moving this weekend, and doing all the things required for moving, I haven't had as much time to spend reading as I would like. So I downloaded the audio book so I can listen while I pack! And then when I go to bed, I find my place, and read until I fall asleep. I will be so sad when I'm done with the third book. But at least I have a fourth book to look forward to. It comes out August 2nd and I've already reserved my copy to pick up at 12:01 AM. And then there's the movie thats coming out on December 12th. What the heck am I supposed to do until then?!

Maybe its me. Maybe my imagination and vested emotional interest in these books and this world is a little too intense. I wouldn't call it an obsession, but there are some people in my family that would. (Hi Dad!)

Yeah, it's a sickness at this point, I think.

If you haven't read the first book, go out and get it. I warn you, once you start it will be hard to put down. If you need still need some convincing, check out the trailer for the movie. It will not disappoint!

A Healthy Dose of Escapism

It is so insanely hot... In May... I just don't know what to do with myself. Dealing with the heat towards the end of June and through to the middle of October is one thing. But in May? When it's supposed to be sunny and cool so the blooms from April's showers can make their appearance? Oh, no. My body has not yet readied itself for the daily berating thanks to the Sun's wanting to get extra snuggly with the Earth during those months. It's snuggling a little too soon in the relationship and the Earth needs to learn how to say "Back off, Jack!" Thank goodness it's supposed to get cooler over the next few days. Yesterday and today has just not been what I would call fun. So today when Robin asked me if I would take him down to Morgan Hill for band practice I jumped at the chance! You know why? The car has air conditioning. Oh, yeah!

So for about an hour this afternoon I was myself and not the brain dead, half passed out zombie I was for most of the day. At one point I was listening to the radio on my way back to San Jose and Pink Floyd's "Hey You" came on. I think I'm the only girl in my family that loves, loves, loves Pink Floyd and the genius that is David Gilmour. I am an oddity to the women in my family. Whenever I hear them on the radio I turn it up. Whenever I take a trip I always take one of their CDs with me. Something about the music the guys from Pink Floyd created transports me no matter where I am. Today in the car when their song came on I wasn't traveling in the car on my way to certain death in the heat. I was traveling in a cool jet stream without a care in the world. Except for the temperature gauge reminding me of the baking world outside, I was in a state of bliss.

See... I wasn't exaggerating. And you should see my left arm/right arm comparison. So not funny.

In the mean time, here's a video I found of one of my favourite David Gilmour songs. Enjoy!

And if you like that one, check this one out!

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing...

Waiting for Mom to be done recording the Podcast. It's about 10:15 and LOST started 15 minutes ago and I have it paused on the DVR. It's just sitting there, taunting me, begging me to press the PLAY button... Someone in my position might give in seeing as the rest of the fam is in the office recording their parts for the "Quilting Stash Podcast Turns Three" Stash-i-sode. But I know all too well the repercussions of doing such a thing and I am not interested in unleashing the Wrath of Mom at this late hour. Well, ok, it's a lot less Wrath-like but the Indignant Level goes through the roof.

During my part in the recording of the Birthday Stash-i-sode I talked about embroidery blogs. Here are some charming blogs I talked about:

1. Feeling Stitchy - It's a group blog which mean there's more than one author submitting posts. There's also a Flickr group attached to this blog.
2. Jenny Hart's Sublime Stitching Blog
3. Hilary Lang and her Wee Wonderfuls - I love her!
   
4. The Silly BooDilly
5. Aimee Ray - Check out this interview with Aimee

UPDATE: Waiting for LOST was so worth it! Check out the Birthday Podcast, too! You'll hear yours truly!

Procrastination 101

Deadlines are looming and all I can think about is...

...anything other than the task at hand.

I feel like over the last month or so I have become the Queen of Procrastination. "Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?" has become my creed. And the worst thing about it is the little nagging feeling in my stomach, because the work isn't getting done, just keeps getting stronger and stronger. It's taking larger distractions to temporarily quell the ever-growing nag.
Usually I can turn on the TV, get lost in a book or even pick up another project and I'm fine. Tonight I actually left the house to go see a movie. How sad is that?!

We went and saw Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. Let me just tell you how happy I am that I was finally able to see it! I talked about wanting to see Miss Pettigrew back in December and I thought I had missed my chance since it's been out for almost two months. After checking the movie listings this morning I was shocked to see that it was still playing in theatres. It was so easy to talk Mom into going and seeing it. And, of course, Dad would come, too! (Since Enchanted, he just loves Amy Adams!)

It is such a charming little movie and Amy Adams is nothing short of amazing. But OH. MY. GOSH. Lee Pace absolutely stole the show! He learned how to play piano for the part and he sings. Sings! He's not half bad, either.



I have been missing Pushing Daisies' original brand of quirky and endearing comedy ever since the Writer's Strike halted production on the show. For all of you who have been missing your weekly Lee Pace fix, go see Miss Pettigrew before it goes away. Otherwise you won't be able to see it until its released to DVD on August 19th.

Until then, here are some stills from the movie to keep you satisfied...