Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. ~P.J. O'Rourke

Onward with the list! Books are my favorite form of entertainment and the best way that I know how to escape. I used to keep a list of every book that I read, but that has long since fallen by the wayside. Now I try to remember them in my mental filing cabinet and it's not the easiest task. I will try to drudge up my top 5 favorite reads from 2008 that weren't necessarily published in 2008.

No specific order (aka I have committment issues):

- The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
I took a giant leap into non-fiction this year and it definitely paid off with this emotional and eye-opening story. Basic premise is that a Hmong family gets displaced and ends up in California. Their baby daughter has a mysterious form of epilepsy that the doctors have a horrible time diagnosing and treating mostly due to the language and cultural barriers of both parties. It's a terribly sad story for everyone involved from the doctors to the parents and the entire Hmong immigrant community. I love reading about cultures that, sadly, I didn't even know existed and seeing things from their perspective. Anne Fadiman is a wonderful journalist and person and it's a crime that Oprah hasn't made this book an international bestseller.

- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (that's him up there)
I've recently (in the past year or two) caught on to Truman Capote. I think I spent so much time in college reading Brit Lit that I completely ignored my own country's writers. Sure Breakfast at Tiffany's is an amazing work of fiction, but In Cold Blood is nothing short of genius. Published in 1966, it was the groundbreaking first work in the genre of True Crime stories. It's the story of the 1959 brutal murder of the Clutter family. Capote spent 5 years researching the crime and immersing himself in the world of both the family and their murderers. Some even say he befriended one of the killers and was with him at his execution. Whatever methods he used to get his story definitely paid off. Fun fact: His research assistant on this project was Nell Harper Lee who went on to write To Kill a Mockingbird.

- Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
I just finished this a few weeks ago and am really happy that I did. See I attempted to read this book a few times off and on over the years. It was always my filler book...like oh I have nothing else to read right now so let me tackle that Jane Austen novel again. Sure enough I'd get a chapter or two into the story of the Dashwood sisters and their quest for true love and set it aside for something more modern. I have to be in the right frame of mind to tackle a classic...you really want to make it worthwhile because this is one of THE books. Needless to say I am relieved and satisfied with finally making it through. Ms. Austen is hilarious. I have a strong feeling that we would have really gotten along if she were alive today and not way back in the late 18th Century. She was progressive for her time and an astute social critic. I just can't decide if it's better to be Sense or to be Sensibility...maybe a little of both. Favorite Quote: She can never be more lost to you than she is now.

- I'm going to leave this spot blank until I get home and review my bookcase...totally blanking!!

- And the book that I'm currently reading and loving is The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
I'm kinda cheating by throwing this on my top 5 list and I'm only halfway done with it. But I already know that I love it...it was love at first chapter. It's a story about a mute little boy, his family, and his dogs but as most good books are, it's about so much more. So far it's been heartbreaking and sweet and smart and nearly impossible to put down. Yes, it's an Oprah Book Club selection and I won't deny it. Every now and then Mamma O nails it on the head. I don't know how it ends and I really don't want to because it's just that good. Stephen King wrote a blurb for the back and said he envies anyone who is just starting to read this novel. I think it'll be one of those tragic stories to put away, but I will enjoy every minute of it until then.

Next up: My Top Moments of 2008!

2008 - I'll Miss You

Can you believe today is NYE?! I know I can't. It really snuck up on me this year and I haven't even had a chance to reflect on what has passed. As you all know, it's an unwritten rule that all blogs MUST do a "Top #" of favorite things list or else something terrible happens. I really struggle with Top lists, so I am going to give it my best shot. I will certainly leave something amazing and life changing out and will forever regret my selections, but I have to start somewhere. Without further delay, I give you my most favorite things and moments of 2008 - as far as I can recall.

In no specific order unless specifically mentioned in order:

My 5 Most Favorite Movies:

- Slumdog Millionaire
Now this is a love story! If only a guy would survive poverty, thugs, guns, the slums, and a wacky Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire for me! The movie rocks and so does the soundtrack.

- Mamma Mia!
Yes, it's a cheesy musical based on the songs of ABBA, but I cannot deny how freaking happy this movie makes me everytime I watch it (twice now). It's an hour-and-a-half of happy pills and who couldn't use that every now and then? I've never seen the play, but the movie is a blast. Guys - you will probably want to steer clear of this unless you secretly love musicals.

- Burn After Reading
I'm a sucker for a dark comedy and this definitely fits the bill. I'm just amazed that the Coen Bros. followed up No Country for Old Men with this piece of disturbing hilarity (wait, maybe I'm not...disturbing seems to be a key word).

- The Dark Knight
I really really don't like comic book action movies. I don't know why, but I've never been a fan, dot dot dot until now! I didn't see the first Christian Bale Batman movie, but I certainly saw the second. Heath Ledger was an amazing mess as the Joker and certainly deserves his post-humous Oscar nod. I was a solid Jack Nicholson Joker person until this movie and now I've gotta go Heath. I won't even get started on Christian Bale...but I enjoyed his umm...performance.

- Role Models
So maybe I didn't see that many "smart" movies yet this year (more on that in a second), but this movie was hilarious. I'm talking like first time you saw American Pie hilarious. The little kid in the movie is a laugh a minute and McLovin comes through yet again with his dorky underdog schtick. I'll never look at Dungeons & Dragons freaks the same way again.

I think this list would surely change if I had the chance to see the following movies before today:
Milk
Frost/Nixon
Doubt
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Rachel Getting Married
Revolutionary Road
The Reader

Up next: My Favorite Books

Trying to Quit

I am getting old and grumpy - it's official. You know how I know this? I went out last night to the Magic Stick in Detroit to see a band or three and spent a solid majority of time wishing evil upon smokers. The show was great and I still had a fantastic time and all, but I can't help but wonder why these places are still filled to the ceiling with smoke every night. I'm sure some of our out-of-state readers are enjoying the smoke-free atmosphere, but here in Michigan it seems like there is no end in sight. I really haven't been paying attention to the fine print, but I know the bill to ban smoking indoors was just shot down yet again. Someone in the cigarette industry is surely giving someone in the government industry some serious cash money. Meanwhile, us non-smokers are being bombarded with second-hand fumes every time we set foot in a bar. Honestly, my main gripe isn't the threat of lung cancer (although that is a valid reason to draw complaint)...my main issue is more immediate and more superficial. I am SICK of coming home reaking like stinky stinky icky cigarettes! I don't go shopping for new clothes thinking...mmm can't wait until this new shirt smells like a bowling alley. And I certainly don't spend time and effort getting ready to go out to have my hair smell like an ashtray 10 minutes later. Now I'm not here to pass judgement on those who still smoke, but I'd like offer up a question or maybe just a random thought. I think the whole logic behind smoking is lame. Might sound weird, most people would probably say smoking was dumb because of the health issues, or smoking is gross because you smell, but I say it's just lame. Why did anyone ever smoke a cigarette to begin with? Where were you when you first smoked? I was 15 years old in my older guy friend's car in a parking lot of a concert...and I thought it was cool. As I surveyed the crowd last night I couldn't help but wonder where each of these 20-somethings were when they first started smoking. I'm guessing it wasn't a situation too different than mine. Surely they were young and knew someone that smoked and one thing led to the other and suddenly they felt rebellious. Now according to the data, nicotine is highly addicting so at some point that kicked in and the habit formed...ok fine. But my theory stands that the only reason anyone starts smoking is because they think it makes them look cool. And to me, at 27, that's just kinda lame. Case in point: there was a guy standing next to me last night who likely went through half a pack of cigarettes in the hour the band was playing. One after the other, blowing smoke in my general direction. If this guy smokes that much in any other setting I don't think he'd have room in his lungs for oxygen. Maybe he was at the Magic Stick with his friends and something in his brain said "must continually smoke while band is playing...don't know what to do with hands." I couldn't help but notice the annoyed look on the girl's face in front of me though everytime a puff of smoke went right to her face.

I think that's it for my anti-indoor smoking rant today. I'm just bummed that every time I catch a whiff of my hair right now I inhale more smoke than the 18 year olds in front of me with the cigarettes. I say if you want to smoke, then please do, but do it with etiquette and manners. Sure it gets cold here in the winter, but maybe you could wait an hour until the show is over and then commence chain smoking. In my humble opinion, it really isn't sexy or attractive and it basically reminds me of the girl I saw last night with the tattoo across her entire chest. It might look badass when you're 20, but imagine how gross that's gonna be when you're 50!

NOTE: The picture of Brad Pitt smoking in Fight Club is an exception to everything I just said. He looks incredibly sexy and hot and I wouldn't mind one bit if I came home smelling like his second-hand smoke.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! We just wrapped up the gift-giving part of the holiday celebration here at the family home. I made out really well this year, so thanks to my parents for only having one of me. I can finally truly say that I know where I'm going now when I get behind the wheel, thanks to my new Garmin GPS device. No more hours spent driving in circles trying to find places I've been a thousand times! This is really a blessing in a cute little box. I didn't get the Soprano's box set, but I did get The Godfather Coppola Restoration DVD's...fair trade! I'm a sucker for those crazy Italians. My parents were very happy with their gifts and I think my mom especially enjoyed the 20 piece Rubbermaid TupperWare set I gave her. No more leftovers will come home with me in those melted Boston Market containers! OK, so maybe it was a gift for both of us. Anyways, I hope you all are having a very merry day!

My mom and I are going to whip up something delicious for dinner, and then go see Tom Cruise doing his worst German impression in Valkyrie. Nothing says Christmas like a movie about assassinating Hitler! Best to you all and don't forget the rum in that eggnog.

The Gift that Keeps Giving

I'm Too Tired to Party - The Celebrity Exhaustion Epidemic

It's a sad day in celebrity party land. They've lost another to the horrific epidemic that is and has been sweeping this country coast to coast. Yes, I'm referring to the dreaded Exhaustion. It usually strikes the young Hollywood set at the peak of their party days and doesn't let up until they have received thorough treatment at either the Beverly Hills hospital or the spa/resort rehabilitation center. They work so hard on their craft that they barely have time to drink a glass of water or ingest a sandwich. Sadly this leads to severe dehydration, malnutrition, insomnia, and the final phase rib protrusion.

The most recent victim of Celebrity Exhaustion is none other than celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson aka Lindsay Lohan's lesbian phase girlfriend. Poor Poor Samantha. With her demanding DJ schedule what was to be expected?! She flies back and forth across the country, with only a first class lounge chair to rest her weary head on. Then she is supposed to muster the energy to attend the various parties and social gatherings where she works so hard playing other people's music. The horror! Not only does she have to push buttons, look bored, and accept free drinks all at the same time...she also has to keep the wandering eye of her attached at the hip gf Lindsay in line. This could go on until 4 or 5 in the morning! No wonder the poor thing is exhausted and needs some serious drug-induced sleep. If I were her, I would up my DJ fee from $25,000 per gig to at least 6 figures. Any job where you experience this much pain and suffering should pay off big time.

I guess we have to give it to Samantha for actually showing up for work though. She could just cancel all of her gigs like Entourage star Jeremy Piven. Jeremy recently dropped out of the Broadway production of "Speed-the-Plow" because of his own personal Exhaustion struggle. Sure Jeremy had enough energy just a couple weeks ago to attend Britney Spears bday party, several strip clubs, and various late night festivities, but exhaustion strikes when you least expect it. These celebs run themselves down so much with all of their social demands that who can expect them to honor a commitment to something as unimportant as being the lead actor in a Broadway play? Sure the play has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars since his departure last week, but the guy is sick. If you haven't heard the complete story, it seems that he became exhausted after eating too much sushi. Now I've had my fair share of sushi, and yes it is a very tiring experience. Sometimes the pieces are so large you can barely fit them in your mouth. Then you have serious chewing to undertake, followed by a large swallow or two. I won't even get into the drowsiness I feel after using too much wasabi...those tears don't come for free. Jeremy is a known sushi-fanatic so I can completely understand that if he was eating this Japanese favorite two, maybe three times a day he had to be seriously tuckered out! I'd put my money on him not being able to lift chop sticks for at least a few more weeks.

So there you have it. Celebrity Exhaustion has taken down two more of our greatest artists at the prime of their careers. I can only hope that they find some rest and relaxation at one of the many tropical island resorts that take in these poor souls over the holidays. My best to both of them and wishes for a speedy recovery!

The Year in Dating - 2008

Well, here we are readers. I know I've left you hanging about my dating life. I'm sure you've been anxiously awaiting another installment of "WTF is her problem" aka my eHarmony updates. Wait no more! I woke up today a ball of inspiration and am ready to dish.

This has been an interesting year in my dating life. I've really settled into it now and don't actually remember what being in a relationship is like...long term memory fades at 27. Words of wisdom from my previous landlord come flooding back to me: Don't stay single in your own place for too long...you'll never be able to live with someone once you're set in your ways. I, of course, laughed it off...I'm an only child so this "not able to live with someone" thing comes natural to me. But I never really understood what he meant until I spent a few years living completely on my own...no roomies, no man around the house, just me and my bulldog companion Lola. I kill spiders, I curse loudly and kill those horrific millipede things, I take out the garbage, and yes, I spent two hours digging my car out of the snow on Friday. All signs of what Destiny's Child refer to as "Independent Women." I even pay my Bills, Bills, Bills. I pride myself on this fact and at the same time realize it could really be hampering my romantic life.

I've had a busy year by my own dating standards. I've given it a shot with blind dates, online dates, friend hook-up dates, somehow I stumbled into this dates, and my favorite: are we on a date? dates. I think I averaged a 3 or 4 date maximum with these gentlemen and each ended in basically the same way but with varying levels of story-telling quality. Some were hilarious and educational such as the gentlemen who wined and dined me at the most expensive restaurant in Detroit, gave me roses for myself and my dog, and then tested my bill paying ability on the second date. I have absolutely no problem picking up the tab, but I don't think the phrase, "why don't you go ahead and get that so I can see how you react" should ever come into play in polite conversation.

Some situations were sad and confusing and some were over before it began. Through it all though I've come to realize something about myself. I won't compromise. I don't mean I won't compromise on what restaurant we're going to, or I won't compromise on the fact that he doesn't LOVE Brit Pop as much as I do, etc. It's very simple but at the same time the most frustrating thing EVER. I won't compromise on the connection. I've tried calling it chemistry, but usually get that look from my friends that says "you know you've lost it right?"...so let's go with connection. It's gotta be there almost immediately or it's just not going to happen for me. I don't have the patience or desire to go through 25 dates and all that entails if I'm not jumping out of my skin excited about it. So that brings us to the present day and my most recent debacle of online dating.

I found a cute guy who had a very normal profile. I figured I might as well get my money's worth, so gave it a shot. We quizzed each other via the multiple choice questionnaire, sent an intro email so we could check out each other's grammar skills, and then decided to take the plunge and meet up in actual real life person. Drinks, dinner, and a movie ensued and before I knew it I was on date number 4! This is a giant deal by my dating standards, so at this point everyone in my life is wondering what exactly is going on. Am I about to figure it all out? Be invited to the couples party?! Cash in my crazy chips? I tried to downplay the situation fully knowing how these things have ended the past 12 years. Sure enough after a few more dates, it was decision-making time. Did I want to continue down the road to relationship land (a scary and foreign destination) or get back to basics and my reality TV problem? On paper this guy was a total catch: cute, gainfully employed, educated, charitable, sweet, not a country music fan, etc. So why not give it a shot? Well, it just wasn't there...and by it I mean it. I've tried to define the elusive "it" and how it's usually missing from my equations, but there is no physical manifestation of "it." It is the connection, the romance, the (get ready) chemistry. It's what separates your guy friends from your guy. It's those stupid little butterflies and that thing that makes you forget that he has a receding hairline or doesn't like Thai food or doesn't put the cap back on the freaking toothpaste. It's what makes you want to be around him all the time and not push him out the door or end your date at 10pm on a Saturday night. It's the difference between kissing him and kissing that guy at that bar in Las Vegas. It means something.

So what am I trying to say? I think I'm trying to say that I'm happy. Maybe my landlord was right and I have become set in my ways, but I really really enjoy my ways. And I now know that the only thing that's going to allow me to share that with someone is that connection. Otherwise I've got books to read, reality TV to watch, and friends to hang out with. So here's to 2008...a very interesting and educational year. I can't complain!