If you don't already know him, let me introduce . .

Eddie Izzard! He is by far the funniest man I have ever found. And please realize he's not just any transvestite, he's an EXECUTIVE transvestite. If you can get a hold of this on DVD, it's worth every penny. Many thanks to Madame Leiderhosen for reminding me.

A tag from Dr. Monkey

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?
Poisonwood Bible

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise) My parents and Molly Ivins. I’d love to tell Mom and Dad everything that’s happened since they left, and tell them a thousand times over that I’m sorry for everything I did or didn’t do. Then Mom and I would hoot and holler with Molly Ivins while Dad smirked.


You are told you can't die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realise it's past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave? Crime and Punishment


Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you've read, when in fact you've been nowhere near it? Great Expectations – some friends have made analogies between my Grandma and Mrs. Haversham. I’m working on it now, one little chapter at a time.


As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to 'reread' it that you haven't?
Nope

You've been appointed Book Advisor to a VIP (who's not a big reader). What's the first book you'd recommend and why?
Ishmael – to understand what the human race is facing.


A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?

Italian, so I can understand my in-laws. I think they’re talking about me.

A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?
I already do that!! The Education of Little Tree, A Christmas Carol

What's one bookish thing you 'discovered' from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?
I’ve discovered that I still have so many books to read.

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she's granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.
Walls lined with dark wooden shelves, full of books, all easy to handle. Some are oversized art/architecture books. Most are just thumping good reads. I don't need first editions or signed copies - just the plain old books is fine. Good sized windows to let in the sunlight with heavy velvet drapes to draw closed on cold winter nights. An open dictionary right in the middle of the room. A large library table with great seating all around. A computer for internet access. Large comfy overstuffed chairs with side tables, ottomans and reading lamps. Some are chaise lounges. Warm blankets and throws. Thick oriental rugs over hardwood floors. An enormous wood-burning fireplace. Several pair of reading glasses at each table. A kitchenette with coffee, half and half, tea, and wine available. And of course this is all located quite near the kitchen.



You are tagged now too!

Another idea for the idea challenged

A great challenge from Melinda June:

Various sets of four things about me that you may or may not know
in no particular order

Four jobs I have had in my life
1. Sales clerk at a lingerie store
2. College food service
3. Counselor in a half-way house for mentally ill adults
4. Vocational Program Manager for developmentally disabled adults

Four movies I could watch over and over:
1. Tootsie
2. Gone with the Wind
3. Christmas Story
4. Dances with Wolves

Four places I have lived:
1. Decorah IA
2. Cedar Rapids, IA
3. Iowa City, IA
4. Northfield, MN

Four TV Shows that I watch:
1. Masterpiece Theatre
2. Mind of Mencia, once in awhile
3. The Daily Show
4. American Idol, God help me, yes, I watch it with my kids

Four Places I have been:
1. New York City
2. The Rocky Mtns
3. Daytona Beach
4. Route 66

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Cheeseburgers
2. Sushi
3. Potato salad
4. BLT's

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Alone with my husband, just about anywhere
2. A nice warm beach
3. With my family, anywhere above 40 degrees
4. In bed

Four things I am looking forward to this year:
1. A planned trip to South Carolina
2. Summer
3. Some new job opportunities that have opened lately
4. Just living - life is pretty good

Say it ain't so John, say it ain't so

It's a cold day in Minnesota, and it's not just the weather. John Edwards has dropped out of the presidential race. This is not good for America. John Edwards had a true grasp on what ails us as a nation. He understood the plight of the Working Joe. He understood the challenges single mothers face. He knew first hand the devastation of medical hardship. He knew grief, the grief that will tear your guts into pieces and leave you broken and bleeding. He understood the need for generosity and patience. He knew better than to rely on red herrings to distract us from the hard issues. I remain a John Edwards supporter.

The demise of good english

I try to stay positive, really I do. But sometimes I get so irritated that I must speak out. Case in point; the slow demise of good spoken English by each generation. The current youth need to cease with the following:

1. "soo . . . ummm . . . yeah."
2. Dude!! at our house it has morphed into Dude-Mom! Dude-Mom??!
3. Like . . . like . . . like . . . like . . . like
4. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy
5. Every sentence spoken like a question? This is so irritating?

When will this stop??

Don't mean to keep harping on this, but our weather is just dramatically cold and dangerous. From weatherunderground: Tonight Windy. Partly cloudy. Lows around 15 below. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Wind chill readings 27 below to 37 below zero.

My skin hurts, and the fire in the fireplace has all the warmth of a lit match.

25 years later . . .

I loved being tagged. Like I've said earlier, I don't have many original thoughts so being tagged gives me something to write about.

Here's the challenge: List 5 things you couldn't imagine 25 years ago. Or something to that effect. Twenty five years ago, I would have been 21. Whoa!!

1. I didn't think we could "elect" such a corrupt, conservative, Constitution-bashing administration. I believe in evolution and thought we were getting smarter. I didn't imagine any US government could erode civil rights and legal protections so quickly, and with so little protest from American citizens.

2. I didn't think I'd have all daughters, and that I'd enjoy it so much. Having all girls is a truly amazing experience. Also didn't think I'd have all my kids after the age of 31

3. I didn't think I'd meet and marry a New York Italian in my very late 20's, and that after 17 years of marriage he'd still make me weak in the knees.

4. I couldn't imagine the impact the computer and internet would have on my life. Sometimes I forget that information wasn't always right at my fingertips. I love being connected with far-flung friends and relatives almost on a daily basis. Sometimes I worry I'm too dependent.

5. I didn't think that in middle life I'd still be struggling financially. This housing slump has hit us HARD.

If Melinda June didn't tag you, you are NOW officially tagged.

Can anyone tell me, what's a meme??