Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Twice in a Month Already!




I sort of glossed over this in the last post, but just to get it out into the world: I am currently unemployed. Before my posts began dwindling, I often complained about the location and just general awfulness of my workplace, so it could be worse. Everyone says it's an opportunity, which is possibly one of the most annoying things to hear in such a situation, but very true, so I can't hold somebody's kind words against them. Though I'd like to. Anyhow, I've been taking it easy, trying to figure out what to do next. That's the worst part: the untethered feeling. Though you may resent the cord, once it's been cut, well, then you're just floating.


But I've made a list of Things To Do and blogging more frequently is near the top. That means I'll be branching out from solely jewelry, to talk about some books and further possible fetishes I encounter (see: last post). I'll probably be writing about my cats too; lucky you!
Other time-wasting treasures: I've been on the Natalie Dee website for a while and can't stop laughing at this one:




"Don't Invite Morrissey to Your Birthday Party"

So true.

Anyhow, over the past month I read two incredibly extraordinary books that I haven't been able to talk to anyone about. Then I thought, "Hey! What about that writing thing you do on the internet?" And the cat meowed at me, even though I only said it in my head (duh--cats are psychic), which I took as both support and affirmation. Today I will write about one of these...






The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, is an incredible story about a young white woman named Skeeter, coming of age (22) in 1962 Mississippi. She's not into the dilettante lifestyle or coming out parties or settle-down and get pregnant lifestyle that her best friends have embraced. She's gawky and smart. She tells part of the story. The rest of the book is written in alternating chapters from the POV of two black maids in the community. One, Minny, is bitter and angry and, even though it's fiction, my blood boiled reading about the awful things people did to her, cause you know these things and worse actually happened. The other maid, Aibileen, is wise and maternal, and takes care of the white babies like they were her own. Skeeter decides to write an anonymous book, telling the stories of the maids. This book is so well-written, and drags you into the moment and people's lives without a second thought. I missed several train stops whilst reading this.
As a matter of fact, that's the basis for my new book rating system:
0 stars: couldn't wait to get off the train
1 star: made myself read a couple of pages, then started playing on phone and staring at people
2 stars: ride went by slowly
3 stars: ride went by quickly
4 stars: maybe missed one stop, but then pulled myself together
5 stars: missing stops, purposely going out of my way to read more
The Help: *****






7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bless Natalie Dee - she can make me giggle on my darkest days.

I've been thinking of you, doll, in your state of unemployment. Not sure what your goals are, but hope things look up for you soon ... whatever that may mean.

Anonymous said...

If I've ever been anything, it's annoying!

Tricia said...

classic rating system.

eeps said...

0 stars could be "couldn't wait to get off train to throw book into trash can" ... which is what i once did.

s.i. michaels said...

I'm so glad you'll be posting more, even if the reason for it isn't so great.

Unknown said...

Why isnt the road of entrepreneurship taken. Businesses that involve little or no investment can surely be taken up.

How about starting the business of selling sunglasses in retail?

replica watches said...

hey i just wanted to say that i follow your blog and have missed your 'rawness' - so to speak-. i could really tell that the posts were diff and i am glad you are back. i never leave comments but just wanted ya to know! cool ok bye