The World of Downton Abbey

The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Normally I do not buy books that go along with television shows or movies, but with Downton Abbey, I could not help myself. The book is beautiful - the pictures are exquisite and the artistry makes me want to step back into the world of Mary and Matthew. The writing is not magical, but I am so in love with the show I just did not care. If I had a coffee table, this book would be on it. You need to love the show to love the book, but let's be honest, who can help but love Downton Abbey?!

The Butterfly Project

At 28, it is rare to find anything written on my hands or arms, but today I have a butterfly inked onto my right wrist in honor of the Butterfly Project. This project is dedicated to helping cutters find another way to deal with their anxiety and depression and a way for people to show their support of kids dealing with this issue. The idea is that when you feel compelled to cut that instead you are supposed to draw a butterfly on your wrist. As long as its there (you're not supposed to wash it off), it is a reminder of the people who love you, support you, etc, etc.  The butterfly is also supposed to be a sign of support and willingness to help if ever someone needs anything.

I know the girl that told me about this project yesterday is not a cutter. She is happy, well adjusted, and driven, but I know she knows people who are cutters. And maybe after our conversation and me letting her draw a misshapen butterfly on my wrist, she'll come to me if ever she finds out about another student hurting him/herself....

Around the same time that I was having this conversation, a student at Ygnacio Valley attempted suicide during their 6th period class. Classmates quickly came to the aid of this student and saved their life. My assumption, because the details have not been released, is that the student cut themselves. It's devastating and alarming to think of anyone being so lost and so depressed - especially someone so young.  I know that the superstition surrounding a sharpied butterfly can't change the deeply rooted issues that drive someone towards cutting and suicide, but if it helps one kid ask for help, it's more than worth it.

The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I was skeptical about this book. I don't really get into the whole circus scene, and a book based around a circus that appears magically on the outskirts of town and is only open at night didn't sound like a strong enough premise to hold my attention. That said, this book was thoroughly engaging after I got past my bias. 

I can’t say that I loved the writing style overall, but I loved the intrigue, the wonder, and the anticipation that accompanied the Le Cirque des Reves (The Circus of Dreams) and the challenge between two unsuspecting performers. The imagery Morgenstern uses is what drew me in page by page. I hope that this book becomes a movie – there is so much possibility, so much artistry that I can’t wait to see put on screen.

P.S. I Love You

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It's not very often that I don't finish a book that I've read a couple hundred pages into, but life is too short to read bad (or simply underwhelming) books. Judging by the book edition I own, you know that I bought this book years ago after falling in love with the movie version of P.S. I Love You. But obviously years later, I still cannot will my way through this book. Watch the movie. I promise, it's better than the book.

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God

Brevity is the order of the day. So long story short, I love PostSecret. I think the power of the images and succinct phrases and sentences is fantastic. This collection of PostSecret is focused on life, death, and God. Some of it is abrasive. Some of it is so honest that you’re uncomfortable reading it. And therein lies PostSecret’s brilliance.

Rambling from 32,000 feet

There are all sorts of fliers – the sleepers, the readers, the serene-chatting parents, the frazzled-“ripping through a baby bag” parents, the gabbers, the “two beers and a Monster” imbibers – and then there’s me sitting here at 32,000 feet hoping that I get to put my feet on solid ground again. I logically know that I will be just fine, but there’s something about seeing the mountains appear small that sets me on edge.  No doubt it’s the lack of control tinged with too many viewings of the planes hitting the Twin Towers….I have to admit though that I do love watching the sun set from the air – being above the cloud layer, seeing the water sparkle in the sunshine, and knowing that I am winging my way towards exciting adventures and people I love.

ps. More about my most recent adventure soon. And of course, double heart the rest of J³ and the boys.

Bits & Pieces, Les Mis Style

I love going through my leftover bits and pieces whether it be the bits and pieces of fabric or scrapbook paper or magazine dreams of what might be. The following is a few bits and pieces of what’s been on my radar lately – most of it is trivial and unnecessary, but it’s the bits and pieces that make things worthwhile, interesting, or somewhere in between.

*In the last few concerts of his last tour, David Archuleta sang a few “less conventional” songs including the primary song “I’m trying to be like Jesus” – it’s perfectly beautiful. I’m still holding out for the day that David either makes a church cd or sings the role of Les Miserables’ Marius. His voice is perfect for both.

*On a different musical note, Ricky Martin was recently on Glee. I used to love dancing around to his cd and singing at the top of my lungs in my car. Ironically Ricky Martin played the role of Marius in Les Mis. I don’t think that was a good idea.

*I heard in a recent NPR news story that there are only 1900 independent bookstores in the country – that’s half of what existed ten years ago. I know that I spend most of my book money on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble, but I can’t imagine not having those quiet little bookstores to go to.  For the record, both independent book stores, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble carry Les Miserables.

*I recently found myself home early on a Saturday night. No one was home, so I had a fire going and blared the 10^th Anniversary performance of Les Miserables. It was amazing.

*Les Mis is coming out in a movie musical format. I can’t say I’m not excited, but I’m also a bit nervous about some of the casting. Hugh Jackman will play Val Jean. Russell Crowe will play Javier (have you ever heard him sing???). Anne Hathaway will play Fantine. Fingers crossed that it’s wonderful.

*I know you’ve heard enough about it, but I still can’t believe Whitney Houston died. She is part of my childhood soundtrack. Her ballads were some of the first I learned. Her “Queen of the Night” was my first rebellion song (not that I would have called it that as a kid). I got ready time and time again with Hillary when we were in the dorms while singing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”. There’s not a party or date that I don’t get ready listening to that song still. For the record, Whitney Houston was never associated with a Les Mis production.

*The other day I checked my bank account online four times in a couple of hours as if the numbers would have changed. I hope there’s money enough in there to justify purchasing Les Mis tickets for when the show comes to San Francisco this summer.

*Rick Santorum called public schools factories on Saturday. I strongly dislike him (to put it mildly). He would be a corrupt government official if I were to cast him in Les Mis.

*I filed my taxes already.  I truly am an accountant’s daughter. My dad, just in case you were wondering, took me on a daddy-daughter date to see Les Mis when I was seven. It changed my life.

Ps. I originally had no intention of making Les Mis a focal point of this bits and pieces blog, but once I saw the connection between David and Ricky, I could not help myself.  Plus I thought I should talk about a different obsession than Downton Abbey for a brief minute so that you wouldn’t think that’s all I talk about.