Ever seen a 6ft Frog?

Yeah, I haven't either. But I just read this short story about 6ft Frog that fought a huge worm underground and saved Tokyo from a devastating earthquake. He asked for help from this guy. It was a good story. More I think about it, the more I like it. I only have one story left in this short story book. And I don't have a book lined up to read next. So sad. I have 2 books on hold at the library, but neither is in yet. Hmmmm, it bites.

And my Netflix are lagging because of the mail and the holidays. I actually went to Hollywood Video last night and rented 2 movies. I feel kinda guilty spending that much money, but I need something to keep me busy at nights after class while I'm waiting for my new books to read, my latest Netflix and all my TV shows to come back.

I'm taking this martial arts / self-defense class. I try to go 3 times a week (usually only go twice though, but I'm going to try to start going more). I went last night and there were three other boys there too. One is new, but has definitely had some martial arts training before. Not bad. Another, I see every once in awhile. He's really good and pretty nice. Never been bothered by him. But this other guy is really creepy. I think he's fairly young, maybe 22 or so. I think he's almost a black belt and sometimes my teacher lets him teach the little kids' class before mine. So, he totally thinks he's tough shit. Anyways, there was this one point that I was standing between this creepy boy and the new boy. We were practising some kicks and punches while in a line. Well, both boys on either side of me, were puffing loudly with each punch and kick. I actually had to bite my lip from laughing. All I kept thinking was that it sounded like I was in some kind of wind tunnel between these two. It was actually really funny. Then, later, I was paired up with the creepy boy practising some move or another. And he actually mumbled, "You smell nice". I shot him a glare and asked what he said, he just shook his head and said, "Nothing". It was creepy...

Then I went home and watched, "Must Love Dogs". I needed a good romantic comedy, preferably with John Cusak. It was okay. Definitely not as good as, "Say Anything". It was okay. Even though, it's all cutesy and life will never be that way for me, it still gives me hope that one day I might meet a guy that I will fall for that much (and he for me, of course). I guess it's that hope that keeps me going. That and the fact that I'll be able to defend myself if I ever need to, from my martial arts class...

A Bell Jar for you...and one for me

I finished The Bell Jar over the weekend. Now, I'm reading some more short stories by Murakami, in a book entitled After The Quake. About the Bell Jar...every time someone asked me what I was reading and I'd tell them, they always said "Ooh, how depressing". Okay, I'll admit that the book is a bit depressing. Our protagonist (if that's what you can call her) is on a downward spiral. And even in the end, it's unclear whether she actually makes it or not. There is some hope, that's for sure. Plath does try to administer that bit of hope to us, even throughout the time while Esther is trying to commit suicide.

Truthfully though, I didn't find it all that depressing. I found it very insightful. I'm sure most women (and maybe even some men) identified with our protagonist, Esther. She's definitely not a bad person. She's more "normal" than most people I know. I liked that she had many different sides. She felt an awful lot and I felt all that with her. I really wanted to talk to her, help her, and just be there for her.

A good one to read over the holidays! Yeah, well, my holidays aren't the happiest, so I suppose it definitely goes with how I'm feeling anyways. I just hope this New Year will bring a happier note to my life. There are definitely some things I really want to change about myself. I guess now is the time for me to take that inventory and try to actually do something about it.

Another Book Down

I finished Daughter of Fortune on Sunday night. It was a good book. Not too sure about the ending though. I wanted more. Kinda left me hanging, even a little much for my taste. I like open-ended endings, but this one seemed a bit too open-ended. Not nearly as bad as the Russian authors I've read, but it was (unfortunately) pretty damn close.

So, now I'm reading The Bell Jar. Yeah, I have never read it before. So far, I'm enjoying it. I like the writing style. Simplistic, but rather elegant at the same time. Not simplistic like Hemingway (of whom I'm not a fan of), but pretty good.

I'm really enjoying it; however, it hits home a little too much. Like, I'm finally realizing how neurotic I actually am. Not that I didn't know before or anything, but at times I think that I may really be minimizing it. I don't know though.

Work has been super busy and I've had this drafted for a few days now, so I'm just going to post it. Until next time...

Food for Thought

I'm reading Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende. Very interesting stuff. I love the history intertwined with the story. About the Gold Rush and how California really became a melting pot. I lived in San Francisco for almost 5 years and this book is chronicling how people from all over the world got gold fever and went to San Francisco. It's pretty amazing to think about. And she gives such great descriptions of what was happening at that time, with all different cultures combined. It's pretty amazing, actually.

This book has been a great way for me to take a step back from life. It's getting to me again. Life, I mean. I can't figure out what's really bothering me. There are quite a few things, but I feel that there's something bigger. It's probably the same old thing that's been plaguing me, the fact that I really don't know what to do with my life. And, of course personal issues don't help. One day I'll look back on this all. I just can't wait for that day.

Been thinking about that too. Like looking back on where I was 5 years ago and 10 years ago. What I've learned. How things weren't that bad. All that stuff. Gives me a bit of hope for the future. I just have too much on my mind lately. Kinda interfering with work even, which isn't great, but happens from time to time.

My book is the only thing that takes me away from it all. That and Grr. She's pretty good about that too. Although, she doesn't listen so well. :)

Well, speaking of work, I must get back...

Books & Festivities

Just finished that Steve Martin novella. It was really good.

Now my co-workers are being all festive. I can't believe I actually remembered where the x-mas lights were stashed. My old boss used to buy an x-mas tree each year and have us decorate. Kinda funny. I randomly draped some lights around my cube. I'm not that festive, usually, so it does feel a bit odd when I am.

I'm hoping this weekend is nice. Looks like rain, which I like. I just hate driving in the rain. Oh well.

An Afterthought

I forgot to tell how my Ben Lee concert went! Well, it was wonderful. I think he played almost the entire new album. And he played a bunch of old songs. Lots of audience participation. He was really great. I think I drooled. My friends had fun too. And for a time Jason Schwartzman was standing next to me. I have no idea for how long, I looked over and saw that's who it was. Kinda funny. And then, Ben Lee asked me to marry him and I said yes. Okay, okay, so the last part isn't true, but it could've happened...