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December 25, 2007

Books I Read When the Weather Turned Cold

New Total: 135

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader
by Anne Fadiman
My Thoughts: Mr. Amazing surprised me with this charming book of essays on our second date, and even read a few chapters aloud to me. While the relationship fizzled, the book remains my favorite part of the time we spent together. I loved being with a man who loved books like I do, someone who could rattle off a list of books I would like based on a single suggestion. By the time I finished the last essay Mr. Amazing was gone, but having this tiny green book on my nightstand made me hopeful that another amazing man might be around the corner.

If on a Winter's Night a Traveler
by Italo Calvino
My Thoughts: Ms. ADA and Mr. Amazing had both suggested this book, which I had never heard of until they mentioned it within a week of each other. After reading it almost straight through, I can't decide if it's a brilliant work of staggering genius or a fancy sleight-of-hand with no literary merit beyond the author's technical prowess. This would have been an excellent book club selection because of the twists and turns--since regardless of my final love-it-or-hate-it decision, it was chock full of interesting discussion points.

Catch-22
by Joseph Heller
My Thoughts: I had never picked up this book before Matthew Baldwin chose it as the book for November's National Novel Reading Month (NaNoReMo). Mr. Pilot said it had been hugely influential in his life, although several other people had said it was mind numbingly difficult to get through. After a month of reading according to a syllabus (which was maybe the most challenging part--not skipping ahead), I have to agree with both viewpoints. I can see how the endless repetition would frustrate a less patient reader, but I also saw how that repetition was intentional and intensely important to the point of the book. Although I have no desire to read the sequel, I feel like I am a better read, more insightful person for having gotten to the last page. And there could not have been a better book to read along with a group--and so a special (if belated) thanks to Matthew Baldwin for pushing ahead when the middle chapters got rough.

December 18, 2007

Virgin America - DC to SF and Back Again

While being wooed for a potential Big Idea acquisition, I was flown last week to San Francisco to meet with the executive team. And since the novelty of taking a flight on the newly available Virgin Atlantic airline was the least stressful thing about this week, I thought I would share my review.

First of all, Virgin Atlantic is owned by mega-billionaire and all-around crazy guy Richard Branson (who somehow I repeatedly confuse with Chuck Norris). He's known for bizarre antics like tossing Pam Anderson around like a sack of potatoes, albeit in a hot bimbo sort of way. So it's no surprise that he's gone out of his way to make his latest endeavor a bit edgy.

I'll begin by noting that the airplanes are brand spanking new--which is a nice change from my recent trips on Northwest and United, whose aircraft are on the far side of saggy and middle-aged. The passageway lighting is a violet black light, the flight attendants are spunky, and the bathrooms are the cleanest I've seen in years. They even offer Method hand soap.

I especially love their entertainment system, called Red. Not only does it allow you to watch live television* for free, pay for a wide variety of movies-on-demand, order food from the touch screen, listen to music videos, and watch the flight progress on Google maps--you can also play games like Mah Jongg!**

But possibly the best upgrade is the flight safety video. I appreciate the cartoon matador who doesn't know how to fasten a seat belt and the bull who scoffs at his ignorance. The bespectacled nun with the iPod, laptop computer, playstation, and wireless router is priceless, and the rest of the standard "if we crash into the water" part is mercifully brief.***

I will definitely take Virgin America again, and next time I'm going to try first class. The massage chairs convinced me.

* Granted, the live television thing has a few kinks to be worked out. On a six hour flight, I never once got to see a show all the way through. It kept freezing, or completely dropping the signal. But I have high hopes for the future.

** You can play games on the touch screen on the seatback in front of you. But do that only if you are willing to incur the wrath of the person sitting in front of you--or develop a lighter touch than me.

*** It is not brief enough, however, when a person--possibly me--is desperate to go to sleep as a result of the absolutely crazy holiday party attended the previous night. This party--which was like no other corporate party I have ever heard of, unless Studio 54 threw a Christmas mixer in 1977--included 500 of San Francisco's hippest designers, a copious amount of vodka, a famous photographer taking incredible shots of guests dressed up at harem girls and maharajas, and more than a few lines of blow. Everyone went home with someone. Everyone. And I'm pretty sure that a fair number of these people left the next morning without knowing their new friend's name.

December 10, 2007

Another Example of My Early Alzheimer's

So there I was, dancing around my apartment in my underwear, with the music cranked up and the cats in hiding. I may or may not have been practicing my amateur stripper routine...let's leave that for another post. The laundry was mid-cycle, the suitcase was open on the bed, and I'd printed out the tickets to San Francisco for tomorrow. All was right with the world.

Except...was that Cake playing on iTunes?

Wait, wait, wait. I had tickets sitting on my desk to see Cake. Tonight. And the doors opened at 7 p.m. and it was now pushing 10 p.m. And I was dressed only in my underwear with the laundry in mid-cycle (see above). My hair was in pigtails, and there were the half-constructed remains of a shoe tree in my living room. In short, there was no way to get ready and make it down to the concert site in time to see Cake play--at least, not with a sweater on.

Dear reader, I might possibly have stood shaking my fist in the air at the futility of my situation. On the other hand, I may have instead admitted that I'm probably a happier girl rocking out in my living room. At least the dress code is less restrictive.

December 03, 2007

In Sickness and Health

I am back from beyond the Arctic Circle, and instead of feeling accomplished and adventurous (did I mention I saw loads and loads of caribou?) I am in the throes of my very of Arctic souvenir--a terrible head cold.

Up until this point, one of the best things about the Big Idea was that most of my work was done from the comfort of my own home. And since my own home contains only my own germs, I rarely get sick. Well, apparently the guy to my left, hacking and sneezing without covering his mouth for the entire six hour flight back from our winter wonderland, did not get the "I don't like your germs" memo. And now I'm having fun experimenting with Dayquil and Nyquil. How many combinations can we make in a 24 hour period? I'll keep you updated.

It's especially irritating to be sick this week, since I should be basking in the glow of my new world-famous profile. You see, dear reader, while I was gone last week, a major newspaper did a story on The Big Idea. It ran on Monday and it wasn't until Thursday that I was able to get back into cell phone range and glory in the effects of notoriety. While the details of it must remain under wraps to protect and segregate my orgy-ridden personal life (it was just once, okay?) with The Big Idea, I assure you that the latest developments are VERY exciting.

That said, how frustrating is it to tape a television segment with a head cold? I'm glad you asked! Aside from the fear of acting like a Dayquil-affected idiot, and trying not to sneeze every three seconds, it's not too bad. I'll wait for the B-roll to determine whether my nose looks absurdly raw to make my final decision.

So, dear reader, I am now officially bumping Comcast down to #2 on the Things I Hate list. It now reads:

Things I Hate

1. Being sick
2. Comcast
3. Air travel delays and cancellations
4. Stepping in pee

Update your records accordingly.