Paradise is...paradise :)
I was beginning to think that I was in a book funk. The last few books I've read have failed to inspire. They haven't been "bad," any of them, but they haven't been amazing. I know it's not good when I begin making schedules of pages I have to read in order to finish it by Saturday. I've just read my amazing book of the month. Toni Morrison's
Paradise is A-
mazing. I loved it. The characters were rich and complex, the setting (Oklahoma!)
lended itself to a mysterious isolation that became a theme of the book, and the writing was beautiful. I don't think I can think of one negative to the book. When I read its reviews on Amazon, it got really mixed reviews. A lot of people said it was too confusing (it wasn't), too long (I wish it was longer!), and not engaging. What?! A few commented that it was Toni
Morrision's weakest work. If that's her weakest work, I'm convinced to read her best work. (She won the Pulitzer Prize for
Beloved, so that's on my "books I want to read" list now.)
Without going into detail that you wouldn't understand if you hadn't read the book, I found it very interesting that the cultural struggles that
occurred in the town of Ruby, Oklahoma are similar to the cultural struggles of modern day America. The founding fathers of Ruby wanted to create a town where they were free from
tyranny (slavery and racism). They wanted to work for themselves, to have a little piece of earth to call their own. Nobody could tell them what to do, and nobody could tell them they were worthless or less valuable than anyone else. (Sound familiar?) The first few generations of Ruby worked hard at keeping the forefather's ideals and morals, but in doing so, created a lot of rules. Rules that didn't make a lot of sense, but rules that were put in place for the greater good of Ruby. As a result, the leaders of Ruby saw an increase in power. (Sound familiar?) The younger generation in Ruby sees a lot of faults in the system. They want to leave Ruby to go to other towns where the needless rules and empty threats don't apply. They want freedom from the system, and they are looking for change. (Sound familiar?)
Now, I don't mean my comparison to be Anti-American or anything of the sort. I'm beyond thankful that I live in a country such as America. I'm not hinting at the "
Obama for change" theory that everyone else on the
Internet is. For the record, I think that BOTH candidates are for radical change, and that McCain is a more proven proponent for change than
Obama. But all of this is beside the point. All presidential politics aside, I just found it incredible that Morrison could write a book about a small, inclusive town and in doing so, she painted large, uncritical, non-partisan brushstrokes of an America that has let politics get in the way of freedom.
Read
Paradise.
Nip Tuck
My blog just got a
face lift..isn't it lovely? The website I got my shiny new background from has all kinds of cute choices...and some questionable ones too, but that's neither here nor there. Take a look at it, but only if you're a girl. If you're a guy, don't bother, because there will be nothing of interest to you. They're all very scrapbook-
ish,
girly backgrounds.
www.thecutestblogontheblock.comI feel like I just got a
face lift too. I don't look any different, but I feel about 1000 times better. Goodbye
Amox-
Clav, you diabolical drug! I've even started making lists again. I know that I'm feeling back to normal when the
list making begins. I love lists, and lists love me. Really, I'm a fan of any kind of list. Grocery list, to-do list, wish list, top 10 list: I lovingly accept them all. Is there anything better than the sense of accomplishment you feel when you draw a nice bold line through a to-do list item? Maybe there are a
few things better, but the list is pretty short. ha!
Viva la Vida!
OK, so I don't really speak Spanish. I may speak the fragmented I-grew-up-in-Houston variety, but that hardly counts. I can't watch and understand Telemundo, so I don't officially speak the language. I didn't even take high school Spanish; I took French. Maybe not the most practical choice, but it's so pretty! J'aime Francais! When I go to Paris to stay in the Ritz, wear striped shirts and high heels with a beret, and ask "what time is it?" (Quel heurs et il?) and say "I speak a little French." (Je parle un peu Francias) I'll laugh at my high school naysayers who said "why are you taking French when you live in south Texas?" le hoh hoh hoh. OK, off topic.
I'm not blogging about the (awesome) Coldplay song, even though now that I think about it, I really love the musicality of it, and I think the lyrics are poetry. The song has a type of epic feel to it. Kind of like Camelot-ish. I'm not sure if an American band could pull that song off. I don't know why, I just think that the fact that they're a British band makes that song better. I have no logical explanation for that, but I stand by it. Regardless, I love Chris Martin almost as much as I love John Mayer. OK, not even almost as much, but I do love him. I'd like to think that John wouldn't name his kids Apple and Moses. Off topic again.
No, today I'm blogging about the literal translation of the phrase en espanol - Live the Life! That's what I want to do! FREEEEEEDOOOOOOM! (in my best Braveheart voice) My 10 days on the couch has given me serious wanderlust. I don't know where I want to go, and I don't know what I want to do, but that's what I want.
To go and to do. I want to live in infinitives: to go, to see, to do, to laugh, to play, to enjoy, to cheer, to wander. I know that going somewhere just for the sake of going is futile. Doing something just for the sake of having something to do doesn't fill that void in your head? or heart? Where is the void? Why do I have the void? That's how I know that my wanderlust isn't a matter of external circumstances or boredom, it's a matter of internal discontent. Places and activities don't make people happy and content. Being constantly on the go doesn't bring fulfillment. Vacations don't bring true peace. Relationships make people happy and content. Faith brings fulfillment. God brings true peace. Living outside of yourself makes wanderlust disappear.
...but its difficult to live outside of yourself when you're stuck on the couch. Life's the game, and I'm riding the bench. However, the 10-day forecast is sunny. I'm done with my medicine. I'm off of my dependency of Kleenex. I can breathe and I can talk. Dizziness and nausea are minimal. "I can see clearly now the rain is gone..." haha :) So life goes on. I'm ready to regain my focus, to live outside of myself, and to live outside of my house. My couch, my dog, Martha Stewart, and Oprah might miss me a little bit, but I think their lives will go on as well.
Maybe when I get back to living, my blog posts will stop being a billion words long. Sheesh, Erin!
Love My Martha!
I
love Martha Stewart. Yes, I said that. She is the epitome of a modern woman. She's an expert on business, fashion, homemaking, crafting, entertaining...well, almost everything. Maybe she isn't the best wife, or maybe she doesn't always make the most honest financial transactions, but we all make mistakes, right? :) Regardless, I've been a Martha fan for a long time, like since I was a teenager. I remember Shosh (my grandma) had Martha Stewart Living magazines that I would love to look through and admire. Martha always has the most beautiful photography in all of her publications, and even when I was a teenager and didn't cook, could care less about gardening or homekeeping, I still liked her magazines. There's something about pretty pictures on glossy pages that make my heart swoon. When I got married, I started watching her shows in the summer. I loved all of her "good things" and helpful tips about living. I was infinitely proud when I successfully made my first Martha meal. I'm now a Martha cookbook junkie. I have (and love) almost all of them.
One of the best things about Martha is her adaptability. I DVR her show and watch it when I can, and today's show was an entire hour devoted to blogging. It's amazing that she blogs every day (even though she admits that her editor does a lot of her entries for her), and she knows a lot about blogging! She keeps a blogroll of her favorite blogs, had Perez Hilton (yuck) and the guys on politico.com on her show, as well as some other notorious bloggers. Good for her! How many 66 year olds do you know that blog? Or that know Perez Hilton? hehe
Her business is inspiring because while it isn't about spirituality or relationships, it's about doing simple things to make your life beautiful. She teaches very practical lessons about managing a beautiful home, keeping a peaceful garden, cooking delicious favorites, or crafting lovely gifts. She loves simple beauty, and she has successfully built a multimillion dollar company around it.
So, in honor of my self-proclaimed Martha Stewart Appreciation Day, go check out her blog!
http://www.themarthablog.com/
I'm Glad I'm not Speaking From Experience Here...
My book of the week was
Less than Zero, by Bret Easton Ellis. It was...sad. Ultimately just all-around sad for every character in the book. The amazing thing about the characters is that I don't know anything at all about one of them after reading an entire book about them. They don't even know themselves, which is where the sadness lies. It is a book about a group of extremely rich Beverly Hills kids who are back home after their first semester of college. Very Paris Hilton and Nicole Richey.
This is the kind of book that makes me SO THANKFUL that I was raised in a sweet family in Humble, TX. With two parents. That I'm in a secure, Godly marriage to a fantastic man. That I have friends and family that love me just because. That even though I get a little bored sometimes, my little life in a suburban house in OKC is pretty dang great. Reading a book about 18 year olds who have unlimited money, flashy cars, ritzy parties, beautiful tans, etc, but have no emotions or real relationships really makes you thankful for those things.
I'll admit, I'm a celebrity gossip addict. It's a disease that I wish I could get rid of, but I haven't yet. I check TMZ frequently to see what's going on in these people's lives. I really don't know why I care, or even IF I care, but as I was reading this book, I could see just how realistic it is. It was written in 1982, but it seemed like it could be a headline on TMZ or People. It's so sad that these people who live lives that others admire, and who seem to have everything, actually have nothing of true value. That's why most of them get divorced. That's why many of them have addictions. That's why many of them self-destruct. Because there is no joy and meaningful relationship in their lives. Add to that the fact that their unhappiness is captured on camera, and it adds a whole new layer of misery. I'm glad that I don't know anything about this first hand, but I can somehow sympathize more with those who do after reading Less Than Zero. (And I really should stop reading TMZ...this I know).
So be thankful for the sometimes mundane lives you lead, friends! We're really so blessed. If you are unconvinced, take a peek at Less Than Zero, and you'll become a believer in the simple life.
Best Website Ever!
OK friends, I've found it. The very sweetest website on the Internet. It's make-your-heart-hurt cuteness. Lots and lots of it! I'm currently a hermit trying to get rid of my sinus infection, so needless to say, I've had lots of time to surf the web. And watch TV. And do my nails. And read books. And sleep. Rinse and Repeat. Anyway, in my recent web endeavors, I found this website, and had to give it a shout out. The very funniest and cutest animal pictures ever! Love it! It's a fantastic way to waste time online.
Enjoy!
P.S. I have gone through an ENTIRE box of Kleenex today. Today's only about half over. Too much information? Probably, but I was too amazed and disgusted not to share it. Sinus Infection=1, Erin=0, box of Kleenex=-1. Boo.
Fear of Flying, and an even bigger Fear of Denigration
I'm really loving the selection of literature in my class, Post WWII American Literature. My professor has chosen such an ecclectic group of books that I admittedly would NEVER have read if left to my own devices. So I'll start with a shout out to Dr. Hochenauer for requiring me to read works that are off the beaten path!
Erica Jong is a tough author to read, but I believe she is a product of her time. She's a crazy feminist. Angry. Selfish. Wants-it-all-no-matter-who-it-hurts. Not the standard of an empowered woman in 2008. Now, I'm all for equal rights and breaking the glass ceiling, but we've come a LONG way since the 1970's. However, I believe that this novel stands the test of time not for the validity of its arguments, but as a type of time capsule into the struggles of women in America.
Since I obviously wasn't alive to witness the sexism of the 1960's and 1970's, I rely on media for my knowledge. I know that TV and books do not compare to experience, but the AMC show Mad Men is an eye-opening glimpse of sexism in the workplace in the 1960's. I almost quit watching the show because the way that women are depicted is really disturbing. In the time before phrases like "political correctness," "equal rights," and "sexual harrassment" existed, many businessmen were openly sexist while thinking they were doing these poor things a favor by giving them a job and letting them use typewriters and answer their phone calls. If you haven't seen that show, I really recommend it. It's a really unique look into life in America 48 years ago.
After watching the way that women were viewed in the 1960's, I'm thinking that if I was an adult woman back then, maybe I'd be buds with Erica Jong after all. Probably not, but just maybe :)
Sad. Again.
OK, I've got a serious case of the grumpies. Or maybe a serious case of the feel-sorry-for-yoursef-ies. Maybe even a case of worst-case-scenario-thinking-ies. Whatever my prognosis, I'm glum. I am usually not a gloomy person, so when I am feeling gloomy, it's worse than the average case of grumpiness, I think. Please allow me to share my gloominess with my bloggy friends.
While I'm up here in Ohio with my sick Grandpa AND Grandma, the news of Ike keeps going from bad to worse. My parents can't hear anything from anyone, but they know that there is no power in all of Humble. Not good. They know that there is no flooding. Good. They know that there are trees down everywhere. Not good. They know that they have a huge Live Oak in their back yard. Not good. They know that the eye of the hurricane passed directly over Humble/Atascocita. Not good. That's quite an imbalance of good/not good, yes?
Without going into too much detail and further boring you with my gloominess, there's quite an imbalance of good/not good here in Ohio as well. I feel pretty awful for my poor grandparents. Life is hard in the country, and harder when you don't feel well. I will say, it's been quite the experience having to cook with bottled water, burn your trash (bad, I know, but you've gotta do what you've gotta do!) hand wash everything you dirty, etc. I've given my grandma props all week for doing this her whole life while raising 6 kids! You go, Grandma! The lack of communication with the "outside world" is also getting me down a little bit. We have no cell phones (gasp), no high speed Internet (double gasp), and so on and so forth. I know that life is going on without me in this little vortex that I've lived in this week, but it sure doesn't feel like it.
OK, I'm done. As I'm re-reading this post, it's already annoying me. Down-in-the-dumps, blah blah blah. Complain-about-everything, blah blah blah. Nobody wants to be around Erin when she's in a funk - maybe it's a good thing that I'm in a vortex away from everyone but family - they have to love me! haha!
I'm saying prayers for my hometown that they will come together and work to repair the damage that stinkin Ike did. I'm saying prayers for my family that we will work to repair the damage of illness and hurt. I'm saying prayers for my hubby that I MISS a lot! I'm saying prayers for my yuckiness to go AWAY! God is bigger than the hurts of this world!
Huh? Lot 49 something?
I just finished reading The Crying of Lot 49, and it was....interesting? confusing? frustrating? odd? All of the above. I've never read a book like it. If I could compare it to a movie, maybe it would be a mixture between Vanilla Sky, The Matrix, Memento, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I know that's a random selection of movies, but all of them have a kind of depth while still embodying a sense of confusion. They aren't "obvious" movies; you really had to pay attention to detail, symbolism, and small nuiances.
I really like this type of story, because it keeps me on my toes. It's always changing, shifting, and with each sidenote, I'm wondering what the meaning is. Thomas Pynchon is also funny - like laugh out loud funny. It's pretty rare for a book to make me laugh out loud, but certain random funny parts of this book did. I can't begin to describe it, but there is a scene where a father, son, and their dog die in a submarine. I know this sounds morbid and awful, and I'm the biggest dog lover on earth, but the dog's death scene just cracked me up. Again, out of context it doesn't make any sense - even in context it doesn't make much sense - but I would recommend this book purely based on the unique reading experience it provides.
Happy Reading, and Happy Monday! I'll post some Ohio pics soon.
Leaving on a Jetplane: A Tribute in Photos
I'm leaving today for Ohio, and what better way to commemorate my departure than to do a tribute to Peter, Paul and Mary? (Or in my case, the Armageddon soundtrack)
"All my bags are packed, I'm-a ready to go"
"I'm standin' here outside your door"
"I hate to wake you up to say goodbye"
"But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn"
"The mini-van's waitin, he's blowing his horn"
"Already I'm so lonesome I could die..."
"Cause I'm leavin' in a mini-van, I don't know when I'll be back again..."
Sad.
My grandpa, one of the very sweetest people in the world is sick. Really sick. Like not-going-to-make-it sick. It's just...sad. It's sad for a lot of reasons.
1. He's such a hard working man, and he's had cancer for the last 4 years, which has effectively taken him out of commission since its onset. I'm sad that this has been such an ongoing source of pain for him.
2. I haven't been there with him through his sickness. I've been in Oklahoma, he's been in Ohio. I'm sad that I haven't done more. I know that thought is kind of irrational, because there's not really anything to "do" to make cancer better, but I'm still sad.
3. He and my Grandma have been married for 54 years. I'm sad for my Grandma. This is what I'm most sad about.
So I'm off to Ohio to be with my family. The good news -the really great news- is that there is still joy in the midst of sadness. We just have to be aware of it. God has created a world of balance, and where there is sadness, there is also joy. So therefore:
1. I'm thankful that I've been blessed with such a great example of a man as my grandpa. I'm thankful for the exceptional family I was born into, and the happiness I've experienced because of them.
2. I'm thankful that I'm able to go spend some time with him in Ohio. I'm blessed to be able to spend time with my family without worrying about life here. (I'll miss Justin, and I'll have school work to do while I'm there, but other than that, I have a very flexible schedule.)
3. I'm thankful for the legacy of love that my Grandparents have. 54 years, 6 kids, and a lot of craziness later, they are still in love. Amen.
It feels better already to have the words typed out. Now I just have to spend the next week or so believing them. If my
bloggy friends get a chance to pray for my Dad, Grandma/Grandpa and Aunts & Uncles, etc. it would be much appreciated.
And thanks for the therapy session, Blogger :)
I was beginning to think that I was in a book funk. The last few books I've read have failed to inspire. They haven't been "bad," any of them, but they haven't been amazing. I know it's not good when I begin making schedules of pages I have to read in order to finish it by Saturday. I've just read my amazing book of the month. Toni Morrison's Paradise is A-mazing. I loved it. The characters were rich and complex, the setting (Oklahoma!) lended itself to a mysterious isolation that became a theme of the book, and the writing was beautiful. I don't think I can think of one negative to the book. When I read its reviews on Amazon, it got really mixed reviews. A lot of people said it was too confusing (it wasn't), too long (I wish it was longer!), and not engaging. What?! A few commented that it was Toni Morrision's weakest work. If that's her weakest work, I'm convinced to read her best work. (She won the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved, so that's on my "books I want to read" list now.)
