Ping! Ping! pa-Ping!
Hi! This post (below) was the first I'd written in several days because of work craziness. (Thanks, BlogHer Ad network for linking to me.)
So, if you're new around here -- please check out some of the funnier stuff on the sidebar or read the one about my unfortunate experience finding a personal trainer. It is called BALLS OF DEATH and involves drawings like these:
and
Thanks for stopping by!
- The conference was fantastic, but it is SO draining. Like any big event, even a wedding, afterwards you just have to look around and go, "Did that really just happen?" Now that I'm back, my sleep patterns are still really off, and I am terribly broken out. Obviously more important things happened at the conference than my losing sleep and developing heinous zits, but I haven't quite put them into coherent thoughts yet.
- One thing that did occur to me -- prior to the conference but made more evident by some of the things I heard there -- is that I have an "issue" with blogging! (And probably you're wondering why that last sentence involved quotation marks and an exclamation point, which is good of you to notice.) It's that I don't know what kind of blogger I am, other than a "life" blogger. Apparently, everyone wants to know what "topic" you blog about, and the answer, You know, my life and stuff, isn't very easily categorize-able. Especially because I'm not married, I don't have kids, I don't write about Tech, or Finance, or Law, or Career Advice (although wouldn't you love to read THAT blog? Hooo-wee!) or even San Francisco. I want to write about this more, because I do think it impacts all of us in the non-category category.
- I finally saw Enchanted!
- The day after the conference, my sister picked me up and we drove to my home town, where I stayed for a couple nights. It was weird. Really weird. Sort of like stepping into a photograph taken ten years ago. Completely uncomfortable even though everything was familiar. I don't really understand why I was uncomfortable, or why it seemed so sad, but I was and it did.
- While I was at the hotel in New York, I accidentally paid $4.99 to order an episode of Top Chef I'd already seen twice.
- I am really, really enjoying living with Ish. Coming home to him after being gone a week was fantastic. (And off-topic, but since I have been a poor blogger, I wanted to at least ask if you'd seen his post on Things That Are Comcastic?)
- I feel like I should apologize for what I'm about to write, but if I were genuinely sorry, I probably wouldn't be writing it. As you may recall, I prefer reading "easy" or "fun" books to books that have Real Literary Merit. I love the mystery/thriller collection and all the stand-bys that go with them (particularly Harlan Coben, who I do think is an excellent writer). But I have recently semi-joined a book club, and the book we're supposed to be reading this time around is Eat, Pray, Love.
Now. More than one of you IIFs (and one of my actual real friends, darling MakeOutKate) has recommended this to me and so I figured it was probably time I try it. And so this probably makes me evil-souled and horrible, but I cannot stand this book. It rubs me the wrong way, in every possible way. I don't know if any of you reading this care to hear my particular reasons for why I hate this book, so I'll leave it at "rubs me the wrong way" for now.
Also, I should say that I realize my opinion is particular to me, and I absolutely do not begrudge anyone who does like this book.
- Lastly, I think that it says a lot about me that when reading Eat, Pray, Love I wanted to throw the book across the room. Comparatively, I think Beauty and the Geek is a fabulous show, and will be writing another recap in the next day or so.
Clearly, my standards are well defined.
So, if you're new around here -- please check out some of the funnier stuff on the sidebar or read the one about my unfortunate experience finding a personal trainer. It is called BALLS OF DEATH and involves drawings like these:
and
Thanks for stopping by!
----original post-----
I have a zillion ideas for blog posts, and they're all bouncing around my head like ping-pong balls. I don't know where to start or where to go with them, and I don't yet have the mental acuity to write them. I will soon, though! I'm on the rebound. Anyway, here are random snippets, hopefully prefaces of things to come.- The conference was fantastic, but it is SO draining. Like any big event, even a wedding, afterwards you just have to look around and go, "Did that really just happen?" Now that I'm back, my sleep patterns are still really off, and I am terribly broken out. Obviously more important things happened at the conference than my losing sleep and developing heinous zits, but I haven't quite put them into coherent thoughts yet.
- One thing that did occur to me -- prior to the conference but made more evident by some of the things I heard there -- is that I have an "issue" with blogging! (And probably you're wondering why that last sentence involved quotation marks and an exclamation point, which is good of you to notice.) It's that I don't know what kind of blogger I am, other than a "life" blogger. Apparently, everyone wants to know what "topic" you blog about, and the answer, You know, my life and stuff, isn't very easily categorize-able. Especially because I'm not married, I don't have kids, I don't write about Tech, or Finance, or Law, or Career Advice (although wouldn't you love to read THAT blog? Hooo-wee!) or even San Francisco. I want to write about this more, because I do think it impacts all of us in the non-category category.
- I finally saw Enchanted!
- The day after the conference, my sister picked me up and we drove to my home town, where I stayed for a couple nights. It was weird. Really weird. Sort of like stepping into a photograph taken ten years ago. Completely uncomfortable even though everything was familiar. I don't really understand why I was uncomfortable, or why it seemed so sad, but I was and it did.
- While I was at the hotel in New York, I accidentally paid $4.99 to order an episode of Top Chef I'd already seen twice.
- I am really, really enjoying living with Ish. Coming home to him after being gone a week was fantastic. (And off-topic, but since I have been a poor blogger, I wanted to at least ask if you'd seen his post on Things That Are Comcastic?)
- I feel like I should apologize for what I'm about to write, but if I were genuinely sorry, I probably wouldn't be writing it. As you may recall, I prefer reading "easy" or "fun" books to books that have Real Literary Merit. I love the mystery/thriller collection and all the stand-bys that go with them (particularly Harlan Coben, who I do think is an excellent writer). But I have recently semi-joined a book club, and the book we're supposed to be reading this time around is Eat, Pray, Love.
Now. More than one of you IIFs (and one of my actual real friends, darling MakeOutKate) has recommended this to me and so I figured it was probably time I try it. And so this probably makes me evil-souled and horrible, but I cannot stand this book. It rubs me the wrong way, in every possible way. I don't know if any of you reading this care to hear my particular reasons for why I hate this book, so I'll leave it at "rubs me the wrong way" for now.
Also, I should say that I realize my opinion is particular to me, and I absolutely do not begrudge anyone who does like this book.
- Lastly, I think that it says a lot about me that when reading Eat, Pray, Love I wanted to throw the book across the room. Comparatively, I think Beauty and the Geek is a fabulous show, and will be writing another recap in the next day or so.
Clearly, my standards are well defined.
I looved Enchanted and may or may not have squealed like a little girl when I got it for my birthday 2 weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am a blogger with no direction too. Unless you count Top Model and Project Runway recaps. Categories are over rated haha
omg! i totally agree with you!!! i constantly feel guilty for my lowbrow likes. but heck! i can't help it! i find "beauty and the geek" incredibly entertaining (same with "america's next top model....although i recommend dvr-ing it and then fast forwarding through "tyra mail" and other annoyingly repetitive parts).
ReplyDeletebut then i feel so guilty for finding a lot of stuff that carris a higher literary value or is more highbrow, incredibly pretentious. don't get me wrong, it's not always the case. but most of the time i get all excited about books and buy a whole lot and then can't get past the third page.
'eat,pray,love' totally rubbed me the wrong way and becomes ever more annoying with every recommendation. i once heard the author read excerpts of it on some radio show or podcast and he way she was reading it also totally rubbed me the wrong way. so smug!
anyways..... loooooove your blog. for years now....and check every day for new posts.
steph
p.s....especially enjoy the kitty posts.....
I, too, write a blog that doesn't "fit." I write about me. And, like you, I can't be categorized.
ReplyDeleteI also hated Eat, Pray, Love. Hated the premise. Hated the writing. Hated the self-indulgence.
Glad to have you back.
Eat. Pray. Love.
ReplyDeleteHate.
I've rarely read something so self-indulgent, and I realize that was her point, but still. Yes, divorce sucks, but the rest of the world doesn't need to go on a year-long eating and praying hiatus to get over it.
I just read EPL, and I agree. I hated 90% of the book but I did manage to pull out 10% of usefulness from it. Like putting that pizza place in Naples on my list of things to do before I die, and the idea of putting good thoughts out there in order to start the momentum in that direction.
ReplyDeleteBut other than those two things. it was a frustrating self-absorbed book. Yet, it was nothing more than what was advertised to me - as one woman's journey. I just dont get the hype.
PS - Julia Roberts bought the movie rights. I dont see it.
I would like to hear why you hate Eat, Pray, Love. Because I haven't read it, don't really know what it's about, and the mere name makes me want to throw it across the room, as does the fact that every time I am sitting in an airport someone in the gate area is reading it. Usually someone who is skinny and trying to look trendy.
ReplyDeleteLousy reasons to hate a book, but there you go.
Oh, and I am also unable to categorize my blog. Can't we make "stuff" an official category?
I absolutely loved Eat, Pray, Love, but I also read it during a time in my life when I was having many "bathroom floor moments" while trying to sort out how (or when) to end my awful relationship.
ReplyDeleteMy mom and best friend (both women who I admire greatly, and who are voracious readers), hated it.
So there ya go.
I want to know why you hated EPL, because I have had it recommended so often that I am now afraid to read it, just because I'm afraid that I will hate it. It's so much easier to tell my friends that I haven't gotten around to it yet.
ReplyDeleteReally glad you're back.
I really want to know why you didn't like the book! EPL is one of those books I don't really want to read, but I feel almost compelled to read it because SO MANY people love it, but your review may be enough to keep me away from it. Cheers! :)
ReplyDelete"Like stepping into a photograph taken ten years ago. Completely uncomfortable even though everything was familiar."
ReplyDeleteI really liked this line and know exactly what you mean, as I'm sure many of us do. Just thought you should know.
Hehe... I just read "Eat, Pray, Love" while on vacation, and two people (no joke) stopped as they saw me reading it by the pool and asked me if it had changed my life yet!! I think I disappointed them when I said no. But seriously - chage my life???? Come on!
ReplyDeleteWhile I didn't hate it, I thought it was WAY overhyped and self-absorbed, and couldn't see how it was going to change my life. Actually, I've already learned that anything Oprah raves about as being life-changing usually falls short for me...
Thanks for the comments! I am SO GLAD to know I am not the only one who didn't like EPL. I, too, have heard the recommendations and seen everyone reading it and thus had to wonder if my hatred makes me a cold-hearted schlub. I guess if I am, I am in fine company.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely write more about why - thanks for the encouragement.
And thanks, Mickey.
i must live under a rock because when my aunt recommended eat, pray, love to me i hadn't heard of it. my aunt is pretty amazing so i figured i would check it out next time i needed a book. while on vacation two weeks later i saw a paperback copy and grabbed it. gotta tell you, i loved it. but i hadn't heard all the hype, not one peep before this past february, so i am sure that went into my falling in love with the book. sure it was a self absorbed journey, but sometimes i like to read about other's lives. hence my reading so many blogs.
ReplyDeleteanyhow, i swear if folks would have raved about eat, pray, love i would have thrown the fucker away.
p.s. i would love to read about your reasons for hating the book. sounds like a great post!
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree re Eat Pray Love!!!
ReplyDeleteFrom another miscellaneous life blogger, the mere thought of reading "Eat, Pray, Love" gives me the heebie jeebies. :)
ReplyDeleteyeah, I'm in the lost category of catagoryless blogging as well. Though I'm dangerously close getting sucked into being a "knitblogger", and early on, most massive blogging directories classified me as "adult" (because I blogged about having SEX! omg!! well, that and the occasional "marital aid" review.) Do we really need categories? Unless we're out to make money with our blogs, I don't feel like we need to fit into some king of blog mold.
ReplyDeleteBUT you're going to write about this more, so I'll shut up and just say that OMG! wasn't Enchanted adorable??? Loved that movie.
It seems there are a lot of no-topic bloggers who dislike Eat, Pray, Love. Yay! Add me to the list!!
ReplyDeleteI have never read Eat Pray Love, and to be quite honest, I have no desire to. The title alone turns me completely off, and I don't know why
ReplyDeleteAnd I am also just a 'miscellaneous stuff about life" blogger - - don't think there is any way to categorize me . . . but I've been contrary like that my whole life! :-P
EPL was just really meh for me. I see my sister commented above with something similar, and that makes me happy, because at first I thought I would just have to take solace in knowing some random people somewhere who read the same blog as me didn't really like it, but now someone in my real life wasn't that excited about it either... Yay, Kristy, you're always bringing people together! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteIt was great meeting you at the conference.. I can't imagine having to be in charge of organizing all of that. There were just...so many...women. It had to be nuts for you. Glad you made it out alive. But, I had a blast. And I ate SO much. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your "standards" in that I regularly hit up the BN classics sales... you know, $5 classic novels. Can't resist a sale. So, my shelves are overflowing with all of this literature. Yet, when I get home from work, I'll channel surf and watch DVR'd episodes of Family Guy (all of which I've seen 900 times) and Intervention and CSI...yes, C-S-I! Last night, I couldn't fall asleep, so I read Zagat's 1000 Top US Italian Restaurants. There are more good choices in Utah then you would think.. Never plan on going there, but it's good to know...
What does that say about me?
eat pray love shit sleep.... wake up
ReplyDeleteI too am a no specific topic blogger and I also thought Eat Pray Love was way overhyped. Although - I loved the Italy part - description of the food and the country made me long to return!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog - am glad you are back!
This post of course made me love you even more.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to read your thoughts on the second topic - where DO we fit in, anyway?
Glad the conference went well and didn't drain all the blogging out of you. I'm sure it was fabu!
I enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love all the while noting that she was a self-indulgent, incredibly self centered woman with an opportunity about a million or so other women would have killed for. I liked "Eat" and the Texan in "Pray" the most.
ReplyDeleteI've missed your blog!!
Dana
Hooray for all the EPL haters... I thought I was the only one!
ReplyDeleteIt's not the fact that she's so self-absorbed. I mean, aren't all writers to some extent? (I include myself in that one.) It's that she never once acknowledges the amazing privelege she had to go on those incredible adventures. And then get a book deal for being a whiny tourist.
And hooray for bloggers without categories! :)