Mid-Day Stretch: Banned Books

It's Banned Books Week! Makes me want to go back to high school and sneak one into physics class to read (Mr. Masters would occasionally bust me for reading poetry during physics—yep I was a real badass). Or maybe I should go to graduate school to become a librarian so I would be able to create a display to promote the books. Be a rebel: Read these! The American Library Association has links to lists of the most challenged and banned books. There are some literary heavyweights that have been banned but I will admit to being most happy to see "Forever" by Judy Blume on a list. Here's my copy, along with my "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." I wish I could say the "Forever" copy was one I had when I was a kid but I had only the PG-rated Blumes in my childhood library and had to grab glimpses of the "dirty," dog-eared pages of "Forever" in the school cafeteria, holding the tattered paperback under the table so no adults would see. I picked up this copy at a yard sale a few years ago and gleefully read it cover to cover in one sitting.

eBay Find: Mermaid Cameo Ring

I love cameos and mermaids and was filled with delight when I searched for cameo rings on eBay this weekend and found one with a mermaid. I couldn't help but think of the old commercial for Reese's peanut butter cups, with the chocolate falling into the peanut butter for a magical pairing. I won the ring but the stress of waiting made me realize it's time to take WendyB's advice and snipe when bidding on items.

Here's one of the Reese's commercials:

Vacation from the Blogosphere

I didn't have a proper summer vacation and now autumn is upon us. Happily, living in sunny L.A. means an endless summer is almost possible. But I'm taking a summer vacation from some things, including this blog. Back next week...

Mid-Day Stretch: That's What She Said

Can't wait for the return of "The Office."

Summer's End: Melting, Melting

Officially, summer ends this weekend. This video illustrates the feeling of summer ending.

Mermaid Sign

Photo taken in Morro Bay, California.

Vote for (Another) Palin

Funny or Die has a video promoting a different Palin for President: Michael Palin from "Monty Python." A girl can dream, right?

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

High Cost of Fuel? No Problem!

Good news from my spam folder: We no longer have to worry about fuel prices. Check out this catchy subject line: "Cool new thing - just discovered it myself. Water as Fuel." Who needs a hybrid when you can fill up on water?

But, wait, it gets better. I also had a message with this as the subject: "Orgies discovered in Hollywood. Find out how to save hundreds monthly on your gas." See, for every problem there is a solution.

Good Cause!

My lovely and amazing friend WendyB (I posted about her here) is having an auction on her blog to benefit a fellow blogger who was seriously injured in a plane crash. The necklace pictured is up for auction; it's gorgeous and for a good cause (the best possible combination). You can also click on the "Donate to NieNie" link on Wendy's site to make donations.

Raging Peacefully

Thanks to Boing Boing for posting about the Rage Against the Machine protest performance that was shut down outside the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis. Check them out rocking a cappella with a megaphone to the crowd. Rockin.

Seeing Red.... Or Fuchsia

I've got tennis fever and have been glued to the tube to watch the U.S. Open the last several days. In addition to the impressive performances, I've been struck by the red and/or fuchsia attire of the players. I use the "and/or" because the colors on our TV are not appearing as they should. Federer appeared to be wearing a fuchsia shirt with brown shorts the other day (he can pull it off!) but it turns out that the shirt is red. A search to find info on his ensemble lead me to the You Tube video (below) that shows both Federer's Nike choices and those of Nadal, who appeared to be wearing fuchsia shorts for his win against Fish last night, which was followed by the amazing match of the Williams sisters that featured the winning Serena wearing a dress of a similar color (see it here; it's also Nike, so I guess it's all red). Well, at least Safina was wearing what I'm certain is pink (check it out here). I have to say I prefer red to fuchsia. And now I am going to have to get myself a red tennis shirt (and a new TV).



And now a song that's stuck in my head, "I See Red"

Summer's End Menu

The girls next door had a lemonade stand and it was the best lemonade you'll ever find on the side of the road, with raspberry ice cubes dropped in each cup. Then we celebrated the last unofficial weekend of summer with a BBQ for which I was determined to make simple side dishes with my favorite ingredients of summer: tomatoes, watermelon and berries. I made three-ingredient dishes: a salad of baby greens, watermelon and red onions; and penne pasta with cherry tomatoes and goat cheese (and fresh basil). For dessert: a trifle with fresh whipped cream, berries and vanilla wafers. Yep, still full.