weebaby

I rent two rooms in a house owned by an elderly Bolivian couple. I have one cupboard in the kitchen which holds almost all of 1/16th of my groceries/cookware/bakeware/gadgets, etc. Although I have access to the common area, the 80-year-old retired "father" is always there watching Spanish television. So Ben and I basically spend all of our time up in our rooms (where at least I have tv, cable, and occasionally, internet access.)

So since nearly all my of earthly possessions are in these two rooms, space is very very tight.

And so I have come to the heart-breaking conclusion that I have to get rid of most of my books. Just the thought of it feels like trying to breathe with only one lung.

NOTE: My collection makes more sense to the average onlooker when you hear this story: When I was young my parents would take me to visit my grandparents in either Maine or Louisiana, depending on the year. And I would get bored. B. o. r. e. d. On one very rare occasion, we went to visit friend's of my parents for a weekend. And they had books! I felt like Burgess Meredith in The Twilight Zone (only my glasses weren't broken.) And even though their children were grown and gone, they had lots of kid's books around for when their grandchildren would visit. I decided then and there that I would also keep a lot of young books around for if a poor kid got trapped in my house with nothing else to do.

The first box of books I opened was all cookbooks. Since I got Living Cookbook several years ago, I have already gotten rid of all the cookbooks I can bear to part with. So that box stays intact.

Then I opened the box that had The Chronicles of Narnia on top. I actually have two sets, one from my own childhood and one I bought when Jacob was a child. I can only get rid of one set, Jacob's, because my set has the books numbered in the CORRECT order, with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as number one instead of The Magician's Nephew. (In other words, in order of when they were written, which is the way I prefer my books.)

Then there was Ursula LeGuin's Catwings series. I can't get rid of those!

Harriet's Hare by Dick King-Smith. Nope, can't get rid of that. That was my dad's favorite book to read to Jacob when he was little.

Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon series, plus the entire collection of everything else L.M. Montgomery wrote. I need to keep those, too. I spent years collecting everything.

Dean Koontz hardcovers. I spent too long saving money to buy his hardcovers to get rid of those. Lightening in paperback. I re-read that one a lot. I must keep it

This is going to be tough.

Three of the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. But Ben would love these when he gets older. I suppose I can release these.

Oh wait! Here's Twilight! This can go.

European History Interactive Map

Who's in power where?
What events happened during the selected time frame?

Fascinating. Utterly fascinating

I have to good fortune to attend a lot a free movie screenings recently. I was notified of the opportunity to see the film, Conviction on a night when I didn't have the toddler, so I gladly accepted. I had no idea what the movie was about. On the movie poster I saw that it starred Sam Rockwell, of whom I am a huge fan. (It also stars Hilary Swank, Peter Gallagher, Juliette Lewis and other great actors.)

( Full story and pics behind the cut.Collapse )

If you could show someone who had never seen a James Bond film only ONE to represent the whole genre, which one would it be?

• Dr. No (1962)
• From Russia with Love (1963)
• Goldfinger (1964)
• Thunderball (1965)
• Casino Royale (1966)
• You Only Live Twice (1967)
• On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
• Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
• Live and Let Die (1973)
• The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
• The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
• Moonraker (1979)
• For Your Eyes Only (1981)
• Never Say Never Again (1983)
• Octopussy (1983)
• A View to a Kill (1985)
• The Living Daylights (1987)
• GoldenEye (1995)
• Licence to Kill (1989)
• Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
• The World Is Not Enough (1999)
• Die Another Day (2002)
• Casino Royale (2006)
• Quantum of Solace (2008)

(I know it will take a certain strength of character to list a film that does not have your "favorite" bond as the lead!)