Saturday, February 23, 2008

Book Trip

I have a $12 gift certificate from the local independent bookstore burning a whole in my pocket. I'm going to use it up on Monday and I have narrowed my choices down to two books.

The first is Lisa See's Peony in Love. Lisa is the daughter of author Carolyn See who wrote one of my favorite writing books, Making a Literary Life. Lisa is also the author of another book on my shelf, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Both books deal with Asian families and dark personal histories.

The other book is self-help. I've decided I complain too much about pretty much everything. No one's complained about my complaining but I think it would make an improvement on my personality. The titled is A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted. An editor at BellaOnline recommended it.

What I end up with remains to be seen.

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Topic Links
* BellaOnline

Friday, February 15, 2008

The Beautiful Women Project

A few years ago I went to a women's night out dinner and met artist Cheryl-Ann Webster. At the time she was just starting to undertake an art project that to this day still inspires me. It all started with a simple conversation she had with her 13 year old daughter about her best friend, also 13, who was saving up money for a boob job. Cheryl was floored (as were we all) and decided to start the Beautiful Women Project in hopes of inspiring positive thoughts about the female body in all it's forms.

Cheryl, cast 120 female chests from the collar bone to the hip bone and decorated each of them with an essence she picked up from conversations she had with them. It's been a labor intensive project but it isn't over. She's still trying to get the word out via gallery showings of the busts anywhere she can afford to send them and set them up. She also does informative discussions on self-esteem and body image at the same time.

She's had a number of showings (I went twice!) so far and all have been successful drawing the attention of girls of all ages as well as the men in their lives. Recently to help with costs (and to get a wider audience) Cheryl-Ann and Laurie Gordon produced a book about the endeavor highlighting the process and providing anecdotes about each bust.

My copy arrived today. And I have to say it is much better than I thought it would be from the Lulu.com description. It's a heavy semi-gloss soft cover about the size of a magazine. I'm about half way through and I have to say that it is wonderful to be able to revisit the busts at my leisure and to read about the artists interpretation of each one. I highly recommend purchasing this book which is $30 (costs go towards future showings) and if you get the chance to check out the showing.

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Topic Links
* Interview with Artist Cheryl-Ann Webster
* Beautiful Women Project Gallery Showing
* Purchase Beautiful Women Project: The Book from Lulu

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Valentine's Day Treats

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I've decided to treat my body kindly for a change. At 1 p.m. I'll head over to the beauty shop for an afternoon of spoiling myself rotten:

* 15 minutes of electrolysis (o.k. this isn't the spoiling part but it is necessary. thank you late 30s hormones)
* 1 hour foot reflexology treatment (again, not sure if I'll feel spoiled)
* 1 1/2 hour facial (definitely spoilage going on!)

Followed by a dinner and movie with Jeff. Yes, I'm dragging him to a chick flick. What kind of wife would I be if I didn't (rhetorical question)? I've already told him we're seeing Ryan Reynolds new movie, Definitely, Maybe.



This may seem extravagant but I'm worth it. So are you. Go spoil yourself!

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

A Sign of Spring

It's February. There's a foot of snow outside. Guess what I found? You'll never guess so I'll just tell you.

I was in the basement getting the washing machine ready for a load. I bent down picked up a pile of light colors and underneath my eye caught a little round orange bump a bit smaller than a frozen pea. I put the laundry in the machine and went back to inspect. It couldn't be... I bent down closer. Yep, a lady bug. Spring is almost here!

Don't worry, I didn't squash it. It's a lady bug they are a protected species in our house (well except the time I came home to 78 of them and vacuumed them up). I found him a home on the aloe plant in Jeff's office. He needs the company more than I do.

Monday, February 04, 2008

My Fave Super Bowl Commercial

I don't watch the Super Bowl. I have no interest in sports ON the tube what-so-ever but I do like to take in the Super Bowl Commercials.

Of the ones I've seen these two are my favorites:





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Topic Links
* E-Trade

Friday, February 01, 2008

Mississippi Burning

The latest circulating around the fat-o-sphere is a Bill the state of Mississippi is trying to get passed that prohibits restaurateurs from serving obese clients (anyone with BMIs 30 or higher). How is this not being prejudiced?

Like somehow refusing to feed a fat person in a restaurant is going to help curb the "obesity epidemic" let alone help someone control their weight?

The bill sound more like something someone wants passed because they are disgusted with having to look at a fat person when they are eating. Boo hoo...

Like fat people don't eat alone enough as it is. Let's segregate fat people even more from society. They certainly don't feel ostracized, victimized and abused enough. Kicking them out of restaurants will certainly help.

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Topic Links
* Read more about the bill at Junkfood Science.