Book 2: the Help

Man, I am flyin through this birthday resolution. I am also amending this resolution. I cannot buy a book. Some one has to loan it to me, or i have to go to the library, or i have to already have it. That is the amendment! Good thing that the first two books both fit under this amendment.

Book #2: The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

click here to go to the books page on Amazon!

This book was right up my alley. I have always enjoyed reading about the Civil Rights Movement here in the south. In addition to hearing about how people can overcome great inequity, it is also strange and powerful to know that i live in that changed place. And while i know that there is still much to be done, much to change and the country still has faults, it makes me feel like i am proof that change has happened. If i were born 25 years earlier, i would have been born into a segregated and violent time. So, thank you all of those who made my life better, and richer.

This book is about a group of black maids in the early 60s in Jackson Mississippi, and their interaction with the white families they served. It is powerful, and feminine. That doesnt mean that men shouldnt read it. They should. It is about women, strong women. I highly recommend this book!!! TO ANYONE. We need to remember all of the work that has gotten us here to where we are, and we need to thank those people who fought so hard.

This book was given to me by my friend Dawn. I share my Wednesday evenings with her and two other women. This book is one that three of us have enjoyed and the fourth is reading now! I am thankful for those women that I share a porch with, and I am glad they introduced me to this book!

I Hate Crape Myrtles

Thats not true. I think they are beautiful, especially in the winter, with their seed pods, and their peeling bark.

I AM tired of them though. I think that they are very over planted. I think that this world would be better off if another crape myrtle was never planted. WE HAVE ENOUGH!!!!

Almost every small town has them in their street-scapes. Every new development plants them. Hell! Almost every yard that gets landscaping work done has them.

They are pretty plants, but my suggestion is that if you dont have them in your yard, keep it that way. Enjoy them when you visit your friend's house, or when you go to church, or go the grocery store, or go down town, or walk down the street. They are in your life enough.

Instead, I think you should, and every municipality, church, grocery store, should start planting other small trees that have color different times of years. What about the redbud, or the gardenia(i know it inst a tree, but it is beautiful and smells good), or the magnolia, or the dogwood, or the grancy gray beard, or the popcorn tree. all are beautiful. What about a blueberry bush? What about going to the nursery and exploring what is there?

THERE ARE OTHER BEAUTIFUL TREES ASIDE FROM THE CRAPE MYRTLE!!!!

Make an adventure out of it. Find something that is right for you, not something that is so safe that you are sure to not offend!

Good luck and have fun!

I love fences that are messy

I was in Gulfport looking at a site and meeting a client. She called to say that she was running a little late and I was in an older part of town and I had my camera, so predictably, I started walking around. There were a lot of great fences.







And this super Mississippi looking alley.

Book 1: Happy Birthday, or Whatever

As part of my birthday resolutions, I am reading 12 books this year. My first book, with a very fitting title, was Happy Birthday or Whatever by Annie Choi.

Click to view on Amazon

I first heard of Annie Choi when I read Dear Architects, Im sick of your shit. It is a quick 2 page essay, that you should definitely read!

Anyways, Happy Birthday or whatever... It is memoir about a kind of spoiled youngest korean child, who had a insane family. I would recommend it to someone looking for a quick and funny read. It is not too serious, and unless you are Korean, it is a little view port into the American/Korean immigrant family life.

Next Book: the Help! (thanks dawn, for letting me borrow it!)

James played at the Hardrock!

So last nights were the Covey Awards, which are the Mississippi Gulf Coast's awards for the nightlife. James plays harmonica with Ft. Bayou Slim who not only won a Covey last night but also played the after party. I only stayed for a little while because I wanted to be fresh for work, but, here are the pictures I got from the evening.

15 Things to do before I turn 29

I am now officially 28! That means that I am no longer 3x3x3; I am now 3x3x3+1! It is not as exciting. So, I will just say 28.

Anyways, I think New Years resolutions are fine, but I failed to make any, and there is something about adding another year to your talley, one that started with 0 instead of 1982, is a little more meaningful, and personal. So here it is, the list of things I want to do before I turn 29.

1) Sing Kereoke. I have never done it, and it is about time I get over being nervous stuff.

2) Never buy bread from the supermarket. I almost said never buy bread at all, but I think that would force me to ignore great bakeries, and I would miss out on great things. What I mean by this is that if I want bread, I have to make it. I am good at making bread, it isnt difficult, it tastes a million times better, and it is better for me. Also, it is relaxing and comforting.

3) Read 12 books. This shouldn't be difficult, but I thought I would add this as a goal.

4) knit 12 projects. Also not a difficult goal, but something I want to achieve.

5) Paint 12 pictures. While I am on the 12's I think I should start painting again. I have not done any in about a year and a half, and that is just pitiful, damnit!

6) Save $1000. I am bad about saving, and every time I start to save, some emergency comes up where I have to spend it. I guess it is good that I have that money in store for those times, but I want to save enough to cover those and have $1000 on my next birthday!

7) Make a good vegetable garden. I have one now, but the soil is poor. So, I want to make it thrive!

8) Make a compost pile or bin! this is a little more difficult, because I rent, but I think it is possible to make some way of storing compost!

9) Write a letter every week. This is something I used to be much better at.

10) Design a new Tshirt!

11) redesign my website. zenorschnitzel.com

12) visit the beach every week. i cannot take my beautiful surroundings for granted.

13) keep my car clean. I have gotten so much better about this than I used to. But I want to do better.

14) learn a new skill. anything. just i need to learn something new.

15) Complete 4 of the 7 Arch Exams!

Alright, that is all. ;)

The fog!

The fog on the coast is something that always puts a smile on my face. Growing up in Auburn, we would see fog, but it would only last for a short time, and only appear in small patches. Here on the coast it is thick, and will last for days. I had my camera with me this morning, and drove through the harbor, and couldn't help but to stop and take pictures. Maybe the fog will be there tomorrow too, and I will come armed with my zoom lens, and my water boots.










I have been a bad blogger, but I have been busy. I will be posting more images and writings about the holidays and my January soon!