Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

I have never read Tolstoy before, but I read in several different places on the internet that "Anna Karenina" is a must-read in world literature. So, I picked up the book at the local chain bookstore and began the arduous task of reading all 923 pages. I am used to reading much shorter books, usually only taking me a few days to a week to finish. But I'm sure it took me a lot longer to get through this one. However, it's not because it is awful to read; it was just the opposite, but very long. I instantly felt drawn in to Russia, even though I've never been there. Tolstoy wrote like he saw it; I felt that I was looking through a window while reading this book. I also felt that the two plots were very nicely linked and did not cause me any confusion, but I believe it is because in this age, we are used to complicated plots and can follow them easily.
Also, I have to mention that I loved Tolstoy's view of the lives of women during this time. He shows what it was really like for a woman; to virtually be a slave to men, and if you were not married to one, than your life was difficult just based on the fact that women had no way of earning a respectable living then. If a woman fell in love, but not with her husband, what was she to do? I believe that Tolstoy feels that it is better to love, even in a scandalous situation, then to stay with the one you do not love. Anna's frustration can be summed up in this quote: "I don't want to prove anything; I merely want to live, to do no one harm but myself. I have the right to do that, haven't I?" (698). Bravo, Tolstoy!

3:10 to Yuma

Sorry for a long absence in blogging, but I'm still reading "Anna Karenina" and I'm about halfway through the 900+ pages. I'm really enjoying it so far, and it makes me want to pick up my Chekhov paper from a class I had in the spring and start the rewrite. I want to expand it for publication in a journal, which will definitely add sparkles to my resume.

My mom and I watched "3:10 to Yuma" a while back and I just haven't gotten to write about it. I must say that I really enjoyed this film, and it was refreshing to see a shoot-em-up, full-on, western. It takes place in southern Arizona, near Bisbee, so it was fun for us to watch, being new transplants to the area. Russell Crowe was great as the badass gang leader Ben Wade, and Christian Bale threw in a great performance as the hard-working, and sometimes honest, rancher. But what was most surprising to me was the performance of Ben Foster. Yes, that's right, Ben Foster: the nerdy kid from that television show "Flash Forward" years ago. Foster really proved himself in this film as a great actor because I had no idea it was him until I sat and thought about it a while. He played a great ruthless gangster and I generally felt hatred for his character. I'd buy this film... that is, if I had a job...

"House of Many Gods" by Kiana Davenport

I bought this book while I was in Honolulu for a conference. I've decided that when I travel, I will try to buy some form of literature/poetry that reflects the native people. In Prague, I bought a Kafka book and found a poetry book online that I read in a hostel. I had no idea what to buy, so I picked this one up. It was great at the beginning; filed with Hawaiian culture with every word. Then it started to get all over the place with a story line about radiation, and never really coming to a conclusion on that issue. It was a good read because it read fast and I was attached to the characters and the Hawaiian culture. Otherwise, I'd say it was average, and had I not traveled to Honolulu, I probably would not have read this book. Maybe if the story had stayed in the islands, it would have made it better. But, that's what the author was talking about: there is more to the world than the small islands, even though they are precious.

I have now decided to take on the task of reading Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" because I hear it's a classic love story that will forever be in the literary canon. It's been hard for me to read Russian literature, even Chekhov's plays, but once I get past the fact that each character has three different names, it becomes easy for me. I wish I knew more Russian history, but all I know of Russia is desolation and starvation. We shall see if I make it through this ginormous book.

I have also decided to run the Race for the Cure 5k here in Phoenix next month. A 5k is over three miles! What was I thinking?? I want to be a runner, so doing this will force me to get into it, and it's for a great cause. I asked my friend Jessica to go with me because I know she's at home with a small baby and might want some interaction with someone her age besides her husband. And I know she likes to run, so there's pressure on me!

Jeff got evicted from the Big Brother house this week. :( BIG SAD FACE! He was my favorite.

Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon- and the Journey of a Generation

"Girls Like Us" is a fabulously written biography of three trail-blazing women in rock and roll. Although I am young, I grew up listening to their music, called "Oldies" then, and reading this book helped me understand their lives and generation, and exactly what they did for women and rock music. They are the reason Britney and Madonna have music careers to begin with. I know Madonna stretched boundaries and knocked down walls, but Joni, Carly, and Carole set the stage for her to do so. Not only do I think these women are strong and beautiful, their music is timeless. I love "You're So Vain", "River", "Big Yellow Taxi", and "Natural Woman". This is a must read for women of all ages who are trying to find a place in a rough world.

Now I'm downloading and listening to Joni Mitchell, mostly, but "You're So Vain" is a great one, too! I think I read this book at the right time in my life. I need direction, and I feel lost, but so did these women and they found their way through. I just need patience, and I can never give up. And, it's okay if I don't get married, or get divorced, or end up without a husband. I don't need a man to feel complete; that idea is just ridiculous.

Ted Kennedy lost his battle with brain cancer. That's really all I have to say about that. I never really "knew" him, or paid attention to his career. I don't know why. Maybe my Republican parents had an influence on that.

It's still really hot. I can't wait for cooler weather. Lately I've been wanting to go for a run- OUTSIDE- but it's been so hot, even in the mornings. It was 90 degrees at midnight last night, so I have reason to believe it didn't get much cooler by the morning. So, I'm stuck inside doing the 30 Day Challenge on the Wii Active. Which, by the way, I think you should do first upon purchasing it, because the first workouts seem easy compared to the individual ones I've been doing separate from the challenge. But I'm guessing that by the time I get to workout #20 it'll be challenging.

The Stars at Night, are Big and Bright...

I just spent a great week in Texas putting finishing touches on a theatrical production, trying to get interviews, and seeing friends. The highlights of my trip include attending an opening of my first post-school show, seeing Dave Matthews Band simulcast at Hogg Auditorium in Austin, playing in the low river, and watching the meteor shower in the back of a pick-up truck.

The show was so great! "House of Several Stories" by A. John Boulanger premiered at the Austin Playhouse last weekend, and it was a big hit. There are reviews in Austin Live Theatre, Austinist, and I'm mentioned in the Austin Chronicle's review! I'm so excited for the positive reviews, this play definitely deserves it. Hopefully it can be a good stepping stone for Imagine That! Productions.


Right now I'm in the middle of reading "Girls Like Us", a biography of singers Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, and Carole King. So far it's been really interesting, and since I did a lot of similar research for my thesis last year, it's like an extension of that. It's crazy how these three women share similar ties throughout their lives.

I've been watching Big Brother, and I know it's sad because it's dumb reality TV, but it got a little crazy when we found out that one of the house guests was kicked out by the producers! I thought they were going to explain it on tonight's show, but they didn't! I have to wait until Tuesday to find out what happened to have her kicked out. Also, I just wanted to make a comment out three women in the house that say they are "strong women", but they spent 30 minutes the other night literally crying over a guy that was evicted in a surprise vote. They kept saying how kind he was and blah blah blah. HELLO GIRLS! This guy was a huge jackass and totally had them under his spell. Talk about WEAK WOMEN. Makes me mad. Stand on your own, ladies!

Shotgun

I don't spend a lot of time in my room since I have a laptop. I usually bring it out into the living room so I don't feel so penned up. So, I haven't been really listening to music lately. When I lived alone, I had speakers hooked up to my laptop and I would put on music no matter what I was doing (unless I was watching TV). I miss that, I guess. Tomorrow I'll be packing for my much anticipated trip to Texas, so I am looking forward to putting my iTunes on Dave Matthews Band shuffle.

Right now I'm listening to the song "Shotgun," by DMB. This song puts me in a mood every time I hear it. There's something about the riff that just puts me in a pensive mood. I LOVE the song, and it's evolved since they debuted it in 2006, I think. I put the first few lyrics on my Facebook page because they're so dead-on. It's crazy. I hope I get to meet that man and shake his hand, and personally thank him for his music.

"This photograph of you and me,
when these old boots of mine
were brand new,
And look at you, how you smile, smile, smile.
Look at you.
What has become of us?
Chasing the avalanche down,
Watching the world on TV,
There must be something better on."

I told my mom the other day that I know three couples that are married or almost there because of E-Harmony. I said that must be a site for people that want to get married right away, so I'm going to stay away from it! And she asked me why I didn't want to get married. Hello! I'm too independent, and untrusting. I love being independent, which is why I'm so nervous about finding a job soon. I NEED to work if I want to move out. My parents have been great, and always will be, but I miss living on my own, by myself, just me and my cat. And my friends being a short drive away.

But I get to see them soon!!! I never thought I could miss a place as much as I miss Texas.

EDIT
I forgot to add that I finished "The Virgin's Lover" by Philippa Gregory. This story was based on Queen Elizabeth I and her scandalous relationship with Robert Dudley. I liked Gregory's view of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, but I think she might have exaggerated a bit in this book. I have my own view of Elizabeth as a woman, and I personally feel that she was smarter than what Gregory makes her out to be. However, it was an intriguing story with romance. All in all, it was a good read. I'm now reading a biography of some women in early rock 'n roll: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon. I came across this book when I was putting together my birthday list on Amazon and realized that when I was researching for my thesis play, all the musicians were males! The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Kinks... where were the women? Hopefully this book can shed some light on that!

The Book of Ruth

I finished reading "The Book of Ruth" a few days ago. I was not that impressed. It was a good story, and ended up very shocking, but it took the entire book to get to the good stuff. I constantly felt myself thinking, "Hurry up and get through this, there are other (better) books waiting for you on your bookshelf!" So I finished it, and that's that.

I'm now reading "The Virgin's Lover", about Queen Elizabeth I when she began her reign. Historical fiction has to be my favorite, and Philippa Gregory does a great job with these books. I loved "The Other Boleyn Girl" and breezed through it in a matter of days. So far "The Virgin's Lover" is pretty good and very politically detailed.

I'm excited for some good movies that are coming out, like "Funny People", and mostly "The Time Traveler's Wife". The book was AMAZING, and I want to read it again, actually. But, I loaned it to my sister, who is in Texas, so I'll have to wait. I've got a lot of other unread books to read, anyway.

Speaking of Texas... I'm going to visit in less than a week! I'm excited to see everyone and see the revamp of "House of Several Stories" that I've been working on from afar. I also get to see Theresa, who just bought her first house with her husband! I get to help them move in, I'm really excited!

Also, I'm sure my parents will be moving this fall. This puts me in between a rock and a hard place. If I could find a job here, I would stay. I've been going crazy looking, but they make it so ridiculously hard to be a teacher, and school starts on Monday for most Valley schools. :( If I knew it was going to be so hard to be a teacher I would have started the process in January. So far my options are 1) God is good and I find a great job here and stay, 2) move with my parents, 3) move back to San Marcos/Austin and live off my friends until I find something there. I don't want #2. I could use some prayers. :(