Sunday, March 8, 2009

What I Can't Put Down Sunday...

…other than CAFFEINE!!!

I am back on a reading kick! Okay, okay…and I don’t mean my addiction to People Magazine and the all the ‘trashy Hollywood gossip’ as I call it. Did you hear that Rihanna took Chris back AND that there is talk of Jon and Kate splitting? Well, not too long ago, I finished ‘Sex Lives of Cannibals’ by J. Maarten Troost. My brother got the book for me for Christmas, and upon first glance of the title, I speculated at what was bound in the pages following. I thought it a bit awkward for my brother of all people to give me a book about the sex lives of ANYONE really, let alone cannibals. AND, talk about awkward when you bring the book to your in-laws house to read. However, it is a hilarious book that I highly recommend for some entertaining, yet historically accurate reading about one man's stay in a tiny remote nation in the South Pacific. (I will disclose no more in hopes to peak your curiosity and make you click on the link above to go to Amazon right now!)

Well, oddly enough, the next (and current) book I'm reading is called 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place' by Aron Ralston. Why odd you ask? Well, I just happened to pick this up at the last minute from the library one night when I remembered a co-worker telling me about it. I would say it's a safe bet that my brother has already read this book, in fact, even safer to bet he owns it! So, what are the chances of me first reading a book he purchased for me and then randomly picking up this one that I know he has read too!?!?

Anywho, this book is seriously distracting me from the rest of the world! I can't put it down and when I'm not reading it, I can't stop thinking about it. It's a true story written by the guy that was out canyoneering when he fell off a boulder and got his hand smashed between the canyon wall and the boulder and ended up having to amputate his own arm with a dull multi-tool knife to save himself. I know that sounds a bit gory, but it's an intriguing book! Plus, I'm training for a half-marathon (week 3) in June (again...but this time I am seeing a chiropractor!) and you wanna talk about encouraging. There's something about this book that makes me want to keep my training up and pushes me to succeed. Hmmm...not to mention, it makes me really cold at night when I read it because he reminisces through out the book about all his mountain hiking adventures in the snow. shiver. Anywho, I've decided I'm just going to start reading books about people's adventurous lives and tales to keep me motivated and excited about what I am training for in real life. Plus, this website is the adventures of J&K and currently I have no 'adventures' that are blog-worthy...yet. (Just re-read that part...DISCLAIMER: No, I'm not pregnant!)

Well, I'm off to go read some more! Yessss!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Peaking at Panera

Woo hoo! I get every other Friday off where I work, and this Friday off couldn't have come on a better day! It is GORGEOUS outside! I have definitely been bitten by the Spring Bug! Well, while out running errands today, I decided to stop into Panera for a light salad (it's Friday...no meat). To my dismay, the patio was chalk full of people that didn't deserve to be sitting on the patio more than me, but I was able to find a sunny table for two near a window. I plopped myself down and proceed to munch my salad.

This is when it occurred to me that Panera is actually a pretty happenin' place during lunchtime...AND is great for people watching and eavesdropping!

Ensuing 'Peaks' at Panera today:

1. Mom, Grandma, and bratty kids are eating near me. 6 year old Lukas decides to be a good little boy and clean the table off for mom and grandma who are so engrossed in talking about home decor that they hardly notice his presence. Lukas and his little sister proceed to throw the food scraps, plates, metal silverware, and newborn baby's 'binky' into the trashcan seemingly unnoticed. They then proceed to turn the trashcan area into some sort of game to see who can stick their heads into the trash the furthest to see inside. Guh-rooooosssss! I contemplate informing the women of what is happening and then realize that they don't deserve to be notified. What, even remotely decent parent, would allow their children to play, quite literally, IN trash cans at restaurants???? I turn my attention away immediately!

2. I look outside at the beautiful day, imagining the birds chirping that I really should be hearing but can't because some Prairie Village Fraternity version of 'Desperate Housewives' hover over all the tables while hugging each other and kissing cheeks. GAG! That's when I notice an old, OLD man walking across the parking lot to come eat. He has on black pants that are too long and about 3 sizes too big. His brown checkered suit coat is also hanging off him. His solid, bright, red tie hangs off his neck and is about 7" too long. His hair is unkempt and he his pilfering through his wallet as if he is counting his money. As he approaches nearer, I realize, there is no money in his wallet at all. I can't decide if he is for real or a bum. Odd I think to myself, but in this day in age and what, with the economy and all..who knows!

3. How depressing I think! I turn away from the old man. I think to myself that if he is a bum, I don't want to make eye contact with him and have him come begging me for money. I turn my glance away and notice the 18 year old looking girl walking up from her brand new Mercedes. She's wearing an ungodly hideous outfit! She has the 'skinny' pants on (I don't care who you are or how much they cost you...I will NEVER warm up to the idea of these!), Mary Kate & Ashley sunglasses, purple suede boots, and a skin tight white t-shirt that is extra long with NO BRA on! GAG(...again...it was a rough lunch, let me tell ya!) She walks up to an old man, seemingly her father, and as they walk in together he attempts to put his arm around her for an awkwardly posed hug. She rolls her eyes at him, shrugs away, and checks her cell. Typical I suppose nowadays! What are our teens coming to?!?!

Well, those were my ventures at Panera today. Maybe tomorrow I will post about my eavesdropping while using the computer at the library! (shudder!) I'm off to go play in the sun!