Reading: Just Another Experiment

I just finished a book I wanted to share. I've long been a fan of AJ Jacobs and his life experiment books. He first read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in the (very misguided) pursuit to become the world's smartest man in The Know-It-All. Then he went on a (somewhat less misguided but infinitely more comical) journey to understand religion when he followed the Bible to the letter in the book The Year of Living Bibilically. And now he has taken on a ( preposterously misguided) quest to become the world's healthiest human being in Drop Dead Healthy.

I have to admit I have a bit of a career crush on him. I want his job but I'm simply not qualified. His incredibly obsessive personality makes him perfect for these ventures. Who else but an insane person could stick to reading the encyclopedia from A to Z? Who else could wear robes of only one fabric and go out to stone sinners in New York City? Who else would buy a device that enables him to squat over the toilet as opposed to sitting because it's healthier on the bowels? I'm crazy. But this guy is dedicated to the crazy on a higher level.  And he's hilarious. These books make me laugh out loud until I cry. I love reading them because I understand his nerdish desire for more information even if I could never take it to the nth degree.

If you are looking for a good but fast read, check him out.

One final note: I saw that he had a new book out and immediately went to the library website to put it on hold. Apparently I'm not the only fan because there was already a waiting list. What did I do? I ordered the large print version because it never has a waiting list and got my copy before all those other suckers! AJ would have been proud. But then I was reading it (as was anyone in a ten mile radius of me since the print was so damn large) and his section on eye health mentioned that smaller font is better to train the eyes. Now I know. I need to weigh my desire to cut in line with the future of my peepers. See? It's chockablock full of good information.

Dye Job

 The white shirt was not cutting it but I liked the cut and little ruffle down the front right side so I dyed it. Happy accident. I bought Scarlet Red but I ran out of time and ended up with a sort of coral color. And I likes. So it's staying.

Twins

 A friend had twins. I thought I would help her tell one from the other.

Gross and Grosser

Although we've been busy little beavers at the Five Cent Farm, I have been doing my fair share of reading. Thought I'd share the last two books I read with you all.

First of all,  That's Disgusting by Rachel Herz is a book about the emotion of disgust. And it's fascinating. You have to be able to read about drinking fermented, masticated corn flour liquid or eating maggot covered cheese or starting off the day with a big bowl of slimy, soggy soybeans because they are all beloved dishes in a variety of cultures. There is also much ado about cannibalism, morality, horror films, blood, feces, pus, phlegm and necrophilia. And more. I learned a great deal and was disgusted. And I think about disgust on a whole other level now. And also I can't get the idea of that Icelandic people like rotting shark meat. So my point is this: Mom, don't read this book.

The other book I read is The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan. Two words. Werewolf porn. Also, I'd like to remind my mother not to read this one either.

So there you have it. Any questions?

Play Ball!

In honor of both National Poetry Month and Baseball Season, I give you a poem about baseball.

Assignment #1: Write a poem about Baseball and God

by Philip E. Burnham, Jr

And on the ninth day, God
In His infinite playfulness
Grass green grass, sky blue sky,
Separated the infield from the outfield,
Formed a skin of clay,
Assigned bases of safety
On cardinal points of the compass
Circling the mountain of deliverance,
Fashioned a wandering moon
From a horse, a string and a gum tree,
Tempered weapons of ash,
Made gloves from the golden skin of sacrificial bulls,
Set stars alight in the Milky Way,
Divided the descendants of Cain and Abel into contenders,
Declared time out, time in,        stepped back,
And thundered over all of creation:
                                       "Play ball!"

Nuts!

 One of my favorite little recipes to make for guests is Spicy Fennel Glazed Almonds. You can adjust the spice to fennel ratio. I usually up the spice just a bit. These are so good because they have sweet, salty, spicy and crunchy all in one. It is easy and tasty beyond belief. If I don't devour them all, then I share them with guests. If they don't devour them all, then they are a very tasty addition to salads. Trust me, they usually don't make it to salads.

Musical Interlude