Banned Books

This week is Banned Books Week. I reviewed the list of the 100 most challenged books of 2004 on the American Library Association's website. I've read 90% of the list. Not only that,I read 90% of the list when I was in junior high. Judy Blume's name appears more than once on the list. She was my hero. Who else would have spoken to me so clearly and directly about my body, masturbation and boys.

I would have never survived life in a small town if not for her books and those on the banned book list. These books opened my mind to a world outside of the small town. They reassured me that I was not a freak or a loser. And comforted me in my heartache over dating and sticky fumblings in backseats. They drove me to leave my small town, to become someone and to make a contribution to society. Without these books I would not be the person I am today.

Now go out and read something!

“Books and ideas are the most effective weapons against intolerance and ignorance.”—Lyndon Baines Johnson

On my way home

I'm on my way home for the day. I wore the most wrinkly pants in my closet today. Not on purpose. Well yes on purpose but with the intention that they would dewrinkle over the day. They didn't. I am so ashamed.

Friday night was a disaster. I got way too intoxicated and ended the night by hurling out of the passenger door of my new car into a blockbuster parking lot in front of someone I had just met and the boy I've been wanting to hook up with. Nice!

Good news! The UPS man just brought me my quarterly delivery of Arthur Earl wine from the Arthur Earl wine club. Score!
-Chel

Rain

This morning I woke up to the sound of rain. It was 6am with a little soft grey morning light. The rain falling on the water in the marina was lovely. I pulled all the plants out from under the patio into the rain and all the patio furniture out of the rain and under the patio.

From my window at work I can see the City workers are all dressed in yellow rainsuits. I'm sure the news will have breaking coverage of Stormwatch 2005. :)
-Chel

A little somethin' somethin'

I've developed a little crush on Em's roomie. We all hung out tonight - had wine. He's very cute, really great eyes. I could have totally smooched him. But nothin' happened. I just like him and it's nice.
-Chel

Somethin' to believe in

Everyone wants something to believe in. What do you believe?

I went to the movies tonight and saw "The Exorcism of Emily Rose". A good flick but the ending fell a little short for me. Then again it was based on a true story. So there is no White Knight to ride in and save us, no "Hollywood" kiss, no explosion. Its just life and life isn't always dramatic or exciting. Sometimes it just is.

The movie raises questions about belief, religion and spirituality. Was this girl really possessed or just crazy? She believed she was. (possessed not crazy) And isn't that a big part of reality. At least your reality what you believe.

Sometimes when I'm doing something perfectly normal and boring I'll add in movie music or script going to the store to make my reality all the more dramatic. Crazy? Probably not. Nutty? Sure.

I believe there are things we can't explain. I believe there is an energy that connects us and what one person does causes a ripple in that energy that effects us all. Can I see it? No, but sometimes I can feel it. Sometimes I feel such a sadness in my soul I can hardly bear it. Other times I am deliriously happy for no reason other than the sun is hot and bright.

But you seem so normal

Today a customer came in to complain that the staff are hacking into her email account and stealing her emails to the secretary of homeland security. Her very private emails to homeland security. I tried to reassure her no one was hacking into her email. Then she started making a load of faces at me demonstrating how staff are making faces at her and that it is really uncalled for.

This is the same person who complained that the number 11 was pursuing her. When she sees the number 11 she is to report it directly to homeland security.

On the outset she seemed so normal. Well dressed, groomed, well spoken at least the first few sentences and then WHAMMO just off her nut.

Not a minute later one of our staff members came into the office freakin' out because a bird flew into the building, which of course means that someone will die.

I've come to realize that normal is relevant.
-Chel

BLECK!

Salt, fat, nitrates and sugar - my lunch. I don't feel so good.
-Chel

Friday night report

ok it's Friday night at 2am. just dragging my ass home from the bars. too funny, met two great guys (and one really great dog - Buster) both from New York (the guys). one owns a local pizza place and got us almost kicked out of the last pretensious bar we were at. the other one just drove cross country Sunday to move here. had a great time.

the other news - bought a new car today. it rocks.
-chel

The Office

Lunchroom conversation

Coworker: "women are like ballpark franks"
Me: "..."
Coworker: "they plump when you marry them"
Me: "..."

Narcaleptic

Tonight I went out with Em and some of her friends. We had dinner and then went to a couple of local hang outs. Em is the only other person, besides me, who I have heard use the term narcaleptic. And that's just funny in itself to meet this other person who is using "my" obscure phrase.

Anyway... I feel like I should be blogging about NO but I'm not going to. All I've done today is talk about how awful and horrific the situation is. My prayers and cash are with the victims of Katrina.

The other thing about Em is she brings along the best men and tonight was no exception. I met her roommate. So cute and so sweet. And tomorrow he's leaving to go back home, to Toronto. Meh, what are you going to do.