Changes, Jane Eyre and old grudges

I've decided I like the updated version of Blogger because it's easy enough (mostly) to navigate that even just-barely-techno-savvy-enough-to-turn-on-the-computer people like me can figure out how to make it look like more than just the barest of bare bones blogs that I had before. And apparently it inspires loads of alliteration. But at any rate I like the way my blog looks now. Hooray!

I just finished reading The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde, which I very much enjoyed. I mean, how can you not like a book where the main character and narrator is named Thursday Next? Who is a literary detective, no less? Basically, an evil, evil man manages to get inside the original manuscript of Jane Eyre and kidnaps Jane. Thursday and Rochester have to work to make sure that nothing in the original narrative is changed. Even though I got extremely confused by the alternate version of history that is revealed bit by bit (in case you couldn't tell, it's in an alternate but similar reality where time travel is common, for one thing, and they keep mentioning little bits and pieces of what is history for them but it's not the same as ours. For instance, the fact that Wales is a separate republic and the border between Wales and England has been sealed off... stuff like that), I loved all the literary references, especially the continued debate about the true authorship of the works of William Shakespeare.

It reminded me, though, of the first time I read Jane Eyre, which was in 9th grade. I was reading it on my own, but at the same time it was an option on the book list for my English class and some of the people in class had read it for their quarterly project. This meant that one day I found myself in class listening to a girl named Rachael giving a book report on Jane Eyre while I still wasn't very far in.

Now, giving book reports should be like giving a movie review. Or the blurb on the back of the book jacket. Give just enough plot information to interest people and talk about a few relative points -- see the previous description of The Eyre Affair. You know the basic idea but not enough to ruin any enjoyment for you. Never, never, never give away plot spoilers. Ever. If you have a captive audience this is even more of a cardinal sin than usual. At least if it's a written review they can stop reading.

So it should be understandable that I still hold a grudge against Rachael (whom I have not seen in years and probably only remember her name because of this experience) for ruining Jane Eyre for me. I had no idea what the plot was when I started the book. So when I had to sit there and listen to her enumerate every single twist and turn, right up until the end, when I had only BARELY reached Blanche Ingram, well... words really don't express it.

In fact, it still makes me angry just thinking about it.

Must go gnash teeth....

And Rachael, if I see you, watch out!

Big news at the Scritchy household

There's a new addition at the Scritchy house.

Its name is Clavinova.

Yamaha Clavinova.

I love it.

Very, very much.

Not only is it mighty attractive, but it also makes cool noises and is quite easy to move around, being digital and light and all.

Which is a very good thing because we will be moving within the next six months or so.

Because we both got letters today, the Shallow Man and I.

Good letters.

Of the sort that begin with the word "Congratulations."

And not about the new Yamaha.

About a new opportunity to move to an old town.

About like a-this.

See you next fall, baby!



Disclaimer: We're still not sure if we'll both be starting up at the same time. I may continue to work for another year if my job goes to at-home, so as to keep things like insurance and incoming cash flow. But this doesn't change the fact that we both got in. Or the fact that I only studied for the LSAT for about two weeks beforehand. Take that, suckers!

P.S. Yes, Margo, I did get a digital. But it's a nice one that feels real. :) I've been playing our songs and remembering fun times in the HFAC.

Still alive....

I was inspired to finally update after seeing that Gryffinkat had, and since it's been about the same amount of time since either of us posted anything...

Not really much to say here, though. Shallow Man is still finishing up finals and we both can't wait for those to be over. I have all next week off and it will be wonderful to have a break. Work has been very stressful recently although we're trying to get it so that we're working from home, which will help a lot.

I'm pretty much ready for Christmas except a few stocking stuffers. We have to go buy the Sub for Santa gifts tonight and I have to make some more Christmas treats. It snowed on Friday and Saturday and Sunday, pretty much straight through for 48 hours, which made driving to church interesting. It's mostly melted off the roads now but we should still have plenty left for a White Christmas.

Tobey-cat is trying very hard to get my attention - apparently I'm not loving him enough at the moment. So, till next time, Happy Christmahanukwanzaadanstice!

Just for fun

Take the Quiz here!

I do have to mention, also, that I have the best husband in the world. The local professional theater company is putting on a stage version of Pride and Prejudice and he took me to go see in on Saturday -- on his own! I hadn't even told him they were putting it on. He just mentioned at dinner one day, "So, PTC is putting on Pride and Prejudice. Would you like to go see it?"

Seriously. Best. Husband. Ever.

The play was really good, too. *girlish giggles of delight*

Okay, back to procrastinating my day's dose of NaNo!

They Said What??? Thursday: Fine Dining

We saw this sign on the wall as we were waiting to be seated at the IHOP. Being forewarned, we made sure all our food of animal, origin was properly cooked. Unfortunately, however, they were out of fish lamb pork.





License plate: DI8TSHN

And just in case you needed reassurance that your fast food had some nutritional value, you'll be comforted to see that the breakfast menu at Mickey D's is endorsed by at least one dietician. Or, at any rate, by someone who drives the dietician's car.

They Said What??? Thursday

So it's Friday. So sue me.

Which, incidentally, will not cost me much in court costs at all because I know two soon-to-be lawyers. Shallow Man and I got our scores back for the LSAT, and the Geneva Convention is definitely not pleased -- both in the top 10%, baby!

But I digress.

Of course, if I were my boss, I would probably have said "digest," judging from some of the choice remarks he's made lately:


Overheard from a telephone conversation:

"We'll try to get to it, but of course our projects take presidents over yours."

My coworker's snarky response for the benefit of our cubicle: "I want Washington." I'm holding out for Rutherford B. Hayes, myself.


Discussing what is vital:

Boss: We need to get the correct address, because that's quintessential in getting the letter sent out.

Me: (longish pause) Did you mean "essential"?

Boss: (even longer-ish pause) Did I?

Me: Yes, I think you did.

Boss: (longest pause yet, then continues as if nothing has happened at all) So I'll call and get the addresss....



It's not just my boss that says dumb things, though. Check out the headline on this article:

Experts: Some women perform well in math

Yeah, somebody needs to get a new copyeditor.



Have you had any "They Said What???" moments recently? Please pass them along so we can all enjoy (or at least shudder in pain together).

Doom...impended?

I'm not quite sure what the real word is for doom that was impending and has now come and gone.

I know you're all wondering how the doom went, but I can't tell you too much because it could lead to an investigation and disciplinary action by The Subcommittee.

Yeah, the test administrators repeated that threat before the test, between each section, before and after the break and then again when the test was finished. Who exactly The Subcommittee is they didn't say, but they said it in that you-can-tell-it's-a-capital-T-capital-S kind of way, and you know no good can come from That, so I'd rather play it safe.

Suffice it to say that I slapped the LSAT around and emerged at least victorious enough to enjoy a late, late brunch (more like a linner, but with breakfast food) at IHOP. Whether that was victorious enough to actually get me into any sort of law school with actual credentials (unlike, say, Bubba's Legal Drive-Thru), we'll have to wait and see. Results come out on the 23rd...

In other news, since everybody seems to have a recurring alliteratively themed day feature on their blogs, I need to jump on the bandwagon and get one too.

So, coming soon, for your entertainment and to cater to my inner grammar Nazi:

They Said What?? Thursday (or whatever day I happen to post it)



P. S. Happy birthday, Teeny! You're my favorite littlest sister, even if you are getting disrespectfully tall. :)