BTT #12

Oh how to concentrate......
I leave for NY tomorrow morning at 3:30am. I can hardly wait. I am so looking forward to the trip. Though, there will probably be very little sleep.

I had a couple of people (Readerville and Nithin) leave me suggestions in response to last week’s post on Beginnings, but this one was already on its way! I mean, it was the obvious next question….

What are your favourite final sentences from books? Is there a book that you liked specially because of its last sentence? Or a book, perhaps that you didn’t like but still remember simply because of the last line?

I must admit, I can't think of a single last sentence from a book. There are very few exact quotes that I remember from books at all. I think that is why I can re-read books. My bad memory is actually a blessing in this instance. I usually only remember the basic story/plot line so I every time I read my favorite books I get to enjoy the writing all over again. :)

Yeah for the new book!

Too bad I am in the middle of a re-vamp. I'll have to start the latest Feehan On Monday after I finish Breakin Dawn!

WHICH DRAKE SISTER ARE YOU?

Here's what they told me my results were:

You are most like Sarah.

sister	match		her book (click for more)
Sarah	80%
You are like Sarah Drake, a born leader and the eldest of your family. If there is a crisis people come to you. You have a quick mind and are able to solve extremely difficult problems. You are known for your hacking talents and no computer is safe from you. You are very reliable and considered “the rock” of your family. You are athletic and love to be outdoors. You have a penchant for breaking and entering; locked doors pique your curiosity. Your favorite pastime is curling up with a book by the fire and having a cup of tea. Brainiacs are for you, especially ones who can keep a secret. Your colors: the colors of air — yellows and greens
Hannah	77%
Libby	68%
Elle	65%		Hidden Current (to be published: 2009)
Kate	57%
Joley	57%
Abby	45%

Auntie...again!

This fabulous card came in the mail the other day:


Congrats Gretch and Mark!!! You guys will make GREAT parents!!

Life Lessons

I know I am supposed to be working right now, but I just heard the news and wanted to take a minute to honor Professor Randy Pausch.

I mentioned in passing on the blog that I had read Professor Pausch's book, The Last Lecture back in May. I found the book so engrossing that I forgot my umbrella on the train and wrote notes in the margins. :)

I am grateful for the chance that I had to learn from him through his writing. I tried flipping through my notes to find a favorite quote but there were so many. After talking to a couple of co-workers about our favorite parts we came up with 3 specific things we learned.

Claire's favorite(from page 146):

"My colleague told me: "It took a long time, but I've finally figured it out. When it comes to men who are romantically interested in you, it's really simple. Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do."

Moira's favorite(from pages 69-70):

In my twenties and thirties I had no kids, and my sister's two children, chirs and laura became the objects of my affection......."
Once about a dozen years ago, when Chirs was seven years old and Laura was nine, I picked them up in my brand new Volkswagen Cabrio convertible. "Be careful in Uncle Randy's new car," my sister told them. "Wipe your feet before you get in it. Don't mess anything up. Don't get it dirty."
"I listened to her, and thought...."...Of course they'd eventually get my car dirty. Kids can't help it." So I made things easy. While my sister was outlining the rules, I slowly and deliberately opened a can of soda, turned it over, and poured it on the cloth seats in the back of the convertible. My message: People are more important then things. A car, even a pristine gem like my new convertible, was just a thing."

In closing(from pages 205-206):

"So today's talk was about achieving childhood dreams," I said. "But did you figure out the head fake?"
I paused. The room was quiet.
"It's not about how to achieve your dreams. It's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you."

My heart and prayers go out to his family and close friends. Thank you for sharing him with us.

BTT #11

Suggested by: Nithin

Here’s another idea about memorable first lines from books.

What are your favorite first sentences from books? Is there a book that you liked specially because of its first sentence? Or a book, perhaps that you didn’t like but still remember simply because of the first line?

The only line that is currently coming to mind is:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." from A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens. There is a reason it is one of my favorite books.

The full first sentence reads as follows:

It was the best of times,' it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only

Hopefully the day can't get worse....

Before I write this story I want everyone to know that I'm fine. There is not a mark on me. I just got a really good scare.

This evening I was followed home from the metro by 3 kids. I didn't even notice them at first because I was on a phone call with my friend Jess. Halfway home I was asked for the time by a young man, I answered a little uneasy but continued on my way not paying him much attention. 2 blocks later I noticed that the young man had 2 friends with him and they kinda cornered me by a tree asking to use my phone. I skirted behind the tree telling them no. I figured in my head that there were people around and it was daylight so these kids wouldn't do anything. That I was being foolish and racist. I made a very foolish mistake. I turned my back on them. Stupid I know. But I still had Jess on the phone and I really didn't think the kids would do anything stupid. I was wrong, one of them smacked the phone out of my hand. Words and threats were exchanged and I admit I am the one who ended up running for my house while they ran off with my cell phone.

Let me repeat I AM NOT HURT.

But they did scare me, some one had to actually tell me to call the cops. So I sat down on the curb and called 911. (Shocky, ya think?) Apparently my friend Jess did the same thing. (Thanks Jess!!!!) The cops were great. They were very nice and by the time the left I was a lot less shaky then when they had arrived. Jess came and took me to dinner so I wasn't alone. She offered to let me crash at her place but my roommate is home so I'm staying here.

Why do I share this here? I don't really know. I guess I wanted to get it off my chest. What bugs me is the realization that I am not as tough as I have always thought I was. I have always stood my ground. I have 8 brothers, 7 of wich are bigger then me in some way. I have never been afraid of standing up to them or any of my guy friends for any reason. I always firgured I could hold my own. Today taught me that I can't always do that. Maybe if it had been only guy I would have put up more of a fuss, I hope I never have reason to find out.

Now I think I am going to read a very happy story with very little plot. Maybe it will get my mind off things so I can sleep.

Oh.......
Shoot me an email with your number. I have officially lost 3 years worth of contact numbers. UGH!
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I just can't decide......

Rae --

[noun]: A beat poet working the streets

OR

Rachel --

[adjective]: Extremely extreme!

How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

The Day Has Arrived.....

And another reason why I *heart* amazon:

This book arrived today....It was released to stores today...Which means I don't have to wait an extra 2 days for shipping....can you guess what I will be reading on the ride home tonight......
(Okay it might have to be tomorrow as I want to actually finish DragonHaven by Robin McKinnley)

I'm Ms. Friend Mischief...the quiz says so!

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

At Union Station....

There is a good reason that God gave me so many younger siblings.

At least I now know I won't scream when the face of a small boy appears under my stall door in the ladies restroom.

After a VERY short game of peek-a-boo, his mother finally realized what was going on and her shreiking began.
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Because men are blind!

After watching 3 hours of the BBC version of Mansfield Park, I find I want to read the book........

And smack Edmund in the head.......Why does he have to be such an idiot!!!

Friday night

A late night at the office means that it is now after 7 and I'm just now walkinng up to my house.
It is hot, muggy even. But the walk is plesant families are out in force. Kids playing in yards and teenagers roaming the area.

Even the firemen are outside at the station. See God does love me. They are YUMMY!
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I *heart* Amazon..........

Yes that is totally tongue in cheek. Take a deep breath.

But these came today:There are some days that having presents delivered make up for all the crud that is going on.

Plus, this means I get to go back to working on my quilts. I am so excited I could pull off a molly Mormon squeal just about now. I have 3 quilts on deck.....THREE! Well 3 and two blocks for a communal quilt which I am helping with. I can't wait to get home. Can you guess what I am doing with my Friday night?

Yes, not only am I a book nerd (or whore, depending on who you are speaking to...Thanks Boo!) but I like to quilt. If only I wasn't allergic to cats,then I could be the quintessential old maid. :)

BTT #10

Another question inspired by the Bunch of Grapes on Martha’s Vineyard having burned down on the Fourth of July.

Do you buy books while on vacation/holiday?
Do you have favorite bookstores that you only get to visit while away on a trip? What/Where are they?

Books are my souvenirs. You know how some people collect shot glasses, or spoons or fridge magnets? Well I collect books. Every time I visit a new place, or a museum or a monument, I buy a book. It is usually something that I want to continue to learn about. It started with my visits to the Smithsonian Museums; there is so much that can be learned. But the tradition has taken hold and every vacation finds a new book on my shelf. Sometimes I cave and buy a novel to read on a plane or something, but usually it is a non-fiction book about what ever site I am visiting.
As I said in my last BTT, the only place of books that I go to visit is the Orem Public Library when I have time on a visit home, and that is a rarity.

The Twilight Series has yet another contest....

Yes, I know I am a tad obsessed. I also think it is fun to spread the obsession to others....so I am encouraging everyone to head over to SirenSong's Blog and enter the Twilight Series Contest.

I mean, really, who wouldn't want to win the Twilight books and other cools stuff. :)

except for Sherpa....you I know hate these. Therefore you may disregard this entire post. :)

Now Tiana, on the other hand, go now and enter.....then get a blog! Please...I am asking nicely......Please!!!

The crackberry is fixed

I can't tell you how excited I am to have access to the world again.
We have the greatest IT department ever!!

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

"Even when reading is impossible, the presence of books acquired (by passionate devotion to them) produces such an ecstasy that the buying of more books than one can peradventure read is nothing less than the soul reaching towards infinity ... we cherish books even if unread, their mere presence exudes comfort, their ready access, reassurance. "
A.E. Newton

Reading through the years......

My friend Jeremy posted an interesting look at his reading history.

Were you a voracious reader? Were you ever made fun of as a child for this characteristic? At what age? How did you handle it - did you hide it, or ignore the boozh-wah-zee? (bourgeoisie, I can spell)

Did you grow up amongst readers? Did you feel support for your readerly traits? Was it just out in the rest of the world that you were the odd duck? Or did you never feel out of place no matter where you went?

Have you ever felt discriminated against because you're a reader? Did it fade away along with childhood? Or do you find vestiges left in your adult life from time to time?

I ask because I was recently reading a thread where people were remembering times that adults had tried to make them stop reading "for their own good" - with one person saying that her teacher went so far as to staple her book closed so she'd go out to recess. It got me to thinking how I would have handled something like that as a child versus as an adult. Which in turn led me to wondering what the reader-developmental-lives of my reader friends were like.

As with Jeremy, this really made me think. I am a reader, and I wear that badge with pride. My memory is not my strong point but I remember getting The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia for my 8th birthday. This suggests that I was a reader long before I remember being one. Lol!

What I do remember is hours spend hiding in the basement of the Provo house with a book on my knees. I learned there that I could ignore the outside world...all of it.....as I immersed myself in the worlds of Anne of Green Gable, The Baby-sitters Club, 1940's Germany and many other places.
Then we moved to Orem.....and again I found my spot.......there is a walk in closet on the second floor...it houses the furnace. On many an occasion, I could be found sitting on my pillow behind the hanging clothes. I could escape the yelling and the tension for hours at a time.

I know there are others in my family that read. I have discussed books with many of my siblings both older and younger. I specifically remember sitting with Cricket, Wog, and Goose when they were little. We each had a book to read and that was enough. We didn't really talk we just curled up in my room and read books. I still send them each books for birthdays and Christmas. As a teenager there were times I got in trouble because I wasn't reading my scriptures as much as I was reading other fiction or I wasn't taking care of my other responsibilities because I was reading. But I don't think I was ever discouraged from reading (other then my healthy obsession with what is affectionately known as my "slut/whore romance novels"). I even made a deal with my AP History teacher as a junior. When I didn't want to go to class anymore he let me sit in the back with headphones and a book. I just had to take all of the tests and turn in all of the homework. My grade was decent. Come to think of it my Honors English sophomore year let me read through her class too. Though, with Phylis Bestor as a teacher, it was rare that I could concentrate on my book. She was a really great teacher.

I have gotten better as an adult but it is rare to find me without a book to read. I have had friends ask if I really think I will need one when I am out with them. It is only then that I feel a bit guilty. I have been told repeatedly that my sisters felt that they were excluding me some how because I didn't join in the chaos that was our house. But what can I say.....it is who I am, and probably who I will always be. I am just more comfortable between the pages of a book then in many social situations. To quote Jeremy again:

I still always have a book to read at work, during lunch, which I realized I use as a shield and a flag - as a shield, being immersed in a book keeps me from having to socialize with my co-workers who might walk by. As a flag I hope it says to any other readers, "I will put down my book to get to know you if you'll ask what I'm reading!"

Another Busy Weekend....

I am hoping that by posting early in the morning I will have time to get everything else I need to done.

Ya think it will work?

This weekend is going to be busy. I am so looking forward to it starting with a lunch at 11. My 2 favorite co0workers are taking me out for a birthday lunch. Yes we all know that my birthday was a month ago, but this is the first time we could all get together.

Then, I am having dinner with Jess at Coastal Flatts, and again, Yes I know it is a chain restaurant but their Shrimp and grit cakes are......too good to be put into words! I think I will have the bread pudding for dessert too..... Geez, I am already drooling over the meal at it isn't even 10 in the morning.

Tomorrow morning I am headed into Maryland for the Nora Roberts Event. The Turn The Page Bookstore is having the 13th Anniversary Event. Jess and I are headed up and are hoping to meet some of the other Mcnabbers there. (Sorry Meg, Roarke will not be in attendance. I know, I am crushed too.)

For those Mcnabbers that are reading this: (hi Julia!) I will be the girl in the Book Whore T-shirt. Can't wait to see you there!! ;)
I couldn't resist, and where would be more appropriate to wear it. Lol!

BTT # 9

Doomsday By Deb

One of my favorite bookstores burned down last weekend, and while I only got to visit there while I was on vacation, it made me stop and think.

What would you do if, all of a sudden, your favorite source of books was unavailable?

Whether it’s a local book shop, your town library, or an internet shop … what would you do if, suddenly, they were out of business? Devastatingly, and with no warning? Where would you go for books instead? What would you do? If it was a local business you would try to help out the owners? Would you just calmly start buying from some other store? Visit the library in the next town instead? Would it be devastating? Or just a blip in your reading habit?

Well.........

I don't really have a favorite so I don't know how I would handle it. There is a library in my hometown that I try to visit every time I go back....but that is because I love the stained glass so much. I would be rather sad if it burned down....but I haven't borrowed books from there in over 3 years so it wouldn't be the end of my world.
On top of it, I am always moving and therefore I have multiple places that can support my book habit. If I lose one I will just continue to shop form the others. Lol! The important thing to me isn't so much where I buy the books, as it is that I can buy the books.

***Note: If it was one of my local small used books stores I would probably see if I could do anything to help them get back up and running while I was shopping else. That is just what I do, it has nothing to do with where I would get my supplies of books. Lol!

Ignorance is not bliss

Todays Fortune Cookie:

The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance in bed.

Hmmmm.....maybe there is a reason to marry after all.

SCATTERGORIES...

My friend Sarah sent me this one almost a year ago and I thought "Hey that looks fun!"

*Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...
(they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up!)

What is your name? Rachel

4 letter word: Read (how appropriate)

Vehicle: Rolls Royce

City: Reykjavik

Boy Name: Ralph (Hi Big Brother!)
(Not your name)

Girl Name: Ruth
(Not your name)

Alcoholic drink: Rum and Coke

Occupation: Receptionist (man I loved that job!)

Something you wear: Ring (singular....I only wear my CTR ring that my mother bought me right after my mission.)

Celebrity: Robert Pattinson (I couldn't help it...LOL! Had to have Twilight in the post somewhere....Hee Hee Hee)

Food: Reeces Pieces

Something found in a bathroom: Rugs

Reason for Being Late: Ran into an old friend

Cartoon Character: Roger Rabbit

Something You Shout: RUN Forrest RUN!

It's Here! It's Here!!!

After a week and a half spent animal sitting in Silver Spring, I arrived home to a pile of mail....and what to my wondering eyes should appear:


No not Santa and his wonderful reindeer... I officially have my tickets. I even have 2 extras to boot! Now I am stuck with the dilemma of what to do with them. LOL!
Should I

• A) Give them to some deserving Twilight fan for the price of the ticket........

OR

• B)Auction them off on ebay for the going rate(I believe the past pair sold for $460.00)

Ahhhhhh the dilemmas of having a conscience.

On another note...my friend Boo posted her pictures from the birthday party. So with out further ado......here is my favorite present for this year:

I am going to be out of the loop..........

So I am posting this a day in advance because I will not have access to the internet until Sunday night. I will be in DC volunteering for the parade tomorrow and then up at Gettysburg all day Sat. We are hoping to see some of the re-enactments....everyone tell the rain to go away, please.


I thought about posting a serious post.....but it is hard when i am sitting in my office and I know I can go home the minute I turn off my computer.....*sigh*

My boss is dancing in my doorway telling me I can leave.....I just can't get serious about freedom and our country.

So I will leave you with:

Happy 4th of July!!

BTT # 8

It’s a holiday weekend here in the U.S., so let’s keep today’s question simple–What are you reading? Anything special? Any particularly juicy summer reading?

The most pressing ones are the Anita Blake vampire novels by Laurell K Hamilton....has anyone else read them. I have never read anything like this....I would use the word interesting.

Also:

• I am halfway through StarDust by Neil Gaimon
• I have Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon sitting on the nightstand
• I have DragonHaven by Robin McKinley for this months book club (Which is already being reviewed Ack*
• And finally I just received AustinLand by Shannon Hale that I can't wait to start....

It's all about the moments..........

Me: One of my good friends got me the coolest shirt for my birthday. It says "book whore" on the back. Is that not great!

Boss: Your friend thinks you are a whore?

I think we should create CA....Caffeine Anonymous for all of you Mormons that are addicted to coke.

I am not a crazy woman. Well sometimes I am but not really......Crazy is measured comparatively. ... I know what real crazy looks like.

And today isn't even over yet......