Twilight

I just finished chapter 8. Wow! It's starting to get good. I should eat lunch, but I don't want to get food on my book.

Here's something I like about Stephenie's style: she leaves plenty of holes and allows you to assume things. Now I may be wrong about my assumptions, but it's enjoyable to read and guess. Even if I'm wrong, I'm still enjoying the anticipation.

edit:

Because I'm a neck-up kinda girl, this is my favorite line so far: It was a colossal tribute to his face that it kept my eyes away from his body.

And it's a colossal tribute to my love for my husband that I picture him when I read the name Edward.

However, I don't think any actor is going to live up to the image most female readers have in mind when they read Edward.

edit:

Chapter 12. Every time she describes how handsome Edward is (she just used the word angel) I'm reminded of how appealing satan is. Then I think, maybe I shouldn't be trusting Edward. Maybe he's just lulling her into a false sense of security... Maybe my initial label of Jerk still stands?

I've Been Married 83 Days

October 17 was one of my original wedding dates. One chosen (along with April 23rd) long before I was even engaged. I would not trade the last 83 days for an October 17th anniverssary.

I just finished chapter four of Twilight.

Ok, I finally started Twilight. I know I'm behing the curve, but between getting hitched and teaching school I haven't had the hours to devote to something fun. I could put it off no longer. I hate to read something just becasue it's trendy, but I also hate to miss something that's really GOOD, so I'm devoting the rest of my vacation to finishing. I want to blog my thought as I read. Kind of a stream of consciousness, inner monologue thing. That's only if I can stop reading long enough to get my thoughts on paper (read: cyperspace).
As the title says I just finised chapter four. I'm intriqued. I know enought from what others have said to realize there's more going on that what I realize. My brain is going crazy tyring to predict what it is. If I didn't know there was more to it, I'd be mad at Edward at this point. Where does he get off saying, "We shouldn't be friends" and then in the same moment asking Bella to Seattle with his devistatingly handsome tawny eyes?
JERK!
I have a feeling Edwards is a lot older than a high school kid should be. His "banter" is much more sophisticated than an Alaskan/Washington teenager.
I'm afraid I was a lot like Bella when I was seventeen. A sucker for a cute boy. Even if I knew he was bad news, as Edward so obviously is. He even said so himself. "How can she be mad at him one minute and enamored the next?" I ask myself. Then I chuckle, because I know how.
I feel vulnerable typing my assertions as I read. Those of you who know the truth are probably laughing at me.

edit: I wonder if Bella believes Jacob's cold ones story?

edit: It appears she does...

I'm a little annoyed. I searched online for a picture of the novel, but had to avoid dozens of fan adn movie sites. I'm happy that Stephenie Meyer is now independently wealthy, but wish I could have enjoyed these books in isolation. Maybe I should spend some time looking for the next big thing so I can be ahead of the curve next time. Hm...I haven't heard too much hype about Percy Jackson. Maybe there's hope.

Saving Money; Earning Money

Cubicle and I have been carpooling to work to save gas. It's great. We talk, crack jokes, listen to the radio. Our a.m. radio station has been doing quiz contests and giving away $50 gas cards. We need to get on their calling lists, becasue we've known most of the answers. Do you? Here are last week's questions, from (in my opinion) easiest to hardest. Of course, like I tell my students, they're all easy if you know the answer! No cheating by Googling the answers (even though it's turning 10).

1. What is the capitol of Australia?

2. Who is the wealthiest member of the U.S. Congress (House and Senate)?

3. 1 in 9 high school boys do this at least 3 times a week for money.

4. After the microwave, what is the number 1 most useful kitchen innovation?

5. According to a survey conducted by the Library of Congress in 1991 the Bible was the most influential book in America. What was the second?

How's Married Life?

This post is very similar to one posted by my good friend Hot Sauce over at red-delicious.org.
She wants to know the meaning of the word "good" when used to describe how you are. (Never mind the fact that the correct answer is "well.")
My conundrum is how to answer the question, "How's married life?"
To sum up my last 50 days with one word (either "good/well") seems incomplete. What do these people expect me to say? I mean, it's been 50 days. We're still in the honeymoon phase. What could possibly go wrong in the first 50 days? And if it did, would I really want to tell this questioner I'm already considering divorce? "It's horrible! I wish I'd never done it. He snores, leaves his dirty underwear all over the place and never helps with the dishes!" That would be embarrassing for both of us.
As would the truth. Do they expect me to give details of my day, or more specifically my nights? I'm not even willing to type details on this blog that only my close personal friends read (along w/ anyone else on the Internet who might accidentally find me by typing in "hot sex" in Google); I'm certainly not describing it to someone who asks me, "How's married life?"
I'm guessing they don't really want an answer at all; just like the folks who ask, "How are ya?" expecting you to say "good," and freaking out if you start crying becasue your dad just ran over your dog Joey, twice. (True story).
All they really want to hear is "Good." But I won't play their little game. Oh no. I'm preempting their question and asking them, "How's married life?" Of course my question is less fair, becasue they've been married for 20-45 years. How can they possibly sum that lifetime up into one word? But they do! Can you believe it? They've been "good" for 45 years! (Not that I really want to know either; I'm just hoping to point out the absurdity of their question. If they don't know how to answer it, maybe they'll stop answering.) Which is way better than being "so-so, or uh..fine." It makes me sad to know that on average they rate their marriage so low.
What's worse is the folks who won't answer. They put me off with a comment about being married so long it doesn't matter, or just wave their hand or roll their eyes. These are the people I almost want to talk to more so I can maybe remind them of how in love they once were, how optimisitc, how they held on to his every word. Maybe they're the ones we should be asking; the ones we should be checking on. My 50 day old marriage is going great, and I hope it will still be in 100 days and (Lord willing) 50 years.
You might think I'm naieve to think it will be, but I know the secret: hot sex!

Sarah Palin Quote

Proud of the GOP
For the first time, I feel like we deserve to win more than they deserve to lose.

By Bill Whittle

Best part:
Sarah Palin has done more than unify and electrify the base. She’s done something I would not have thought possible, were it not happening in front of my nose: Sarah Palin has stolen Barack Obama’s glamour. She’s stolen his excitement, robbed his electricity, burgled his charisma, purloined his star power, and taken his Hope and Change mantra, woven it into a cold-weather fashion accessory, and wrapped it around her neck.

(emphasis mine)

Reunited

Well, Labor Day weekend was the Towers-Walton-Alberty fishing derby. We get together every year at Big Creek, the place where my dad, his brothers and sisters grew up. This year we literally had the reunion at the creek. They rented a tent, set it up under a tree and near some cow pies, put food underneath it and a party materalized. I took my new husband to meed the black half of the family, as did my baby sister (not really a baby anymore, rather a gorgeous 23 year-old woman). Anyway, when we parked in the field, our hubbys (hubbies?) departed the truck first and started unloading. Seeing only them, my Uncle Gene approached and asked, "You boys just passing through?" He obviously thought they were lost, seeing as they're as pale as white bread there was no way they were there for the reunion. Cyrus quickly assured him he was there with "Richard Towers," figuring that was the best "safe word" to use at that point. I'd already explained to him how being related to Richard Towers would open lots of doors, not to mention keep him from getting booted off Uncle Gene's property.

Later, they put up a Spongebob Squarepants pinata for the munchkins. (Don't worry, I got in a few swings too.) While the rope was dangling over the tree, Cyrus became slightly alarmed and asked, "Is that rope for me?" It was pretty much the highlight of the event. Or maybe that was when my team won the obstacle course relay, or when I beat Cyrus in the egg race, or when we placed 1st and 2nd place consecutively in the mile "run" (in our age group).

Ok, you're right. The highlight was being together with family.