Good gracious, blog is bodacious.

The Number One Reason I Love Used Books

Posted by Kerri Anne in good things, i am a visual learner on Dec 21st, 2009 | 20 responses

Which, consequently, also doubles as the number one reason I will never buy a Kindle. I can’t even tell you how much I sincerely hope that physical books (and the stories they tell by the people who pass them down) never stop existing.

This particular story goes like this:

I bought a book as a gift for my little sister. I didn’t notice the inscription written in handwriting that looks remarkably similar to our Aunt Julie’s before I transported said book home and opened the front cover to thumb through the first few pages.

heidiinscription

The inscription reads:

Sharless,

When I was a little girl I fell in love with this wonderful story of Heidi. I dreamed of seeing the Alps for myself, as Heidi believed their beauty was magical! Many years after I read this story, I had the chance to travel to Switzerland to see the Alps for myself! Always believe that your dreams will come true.

Karen
2005

Where Am I Going, Where Have I Been?

Posted by Kerri Anne in Portland, copains, good things, how festive! on Aug 27th, 2010 | 7 responses

This week I have been:

Writing, editing, and organizing grant proposals, and preparing gargantuan-sized grant budgets feverishly, to meet deadlines both old and new.

Snuggling with my pug and enjoying any downtime I have been able to muster.

Writing! I’m so excited about three different stories I have in the works, and thanks to a recent prompt by Danny, I’ve been sitting down daily to translate my excitement into actual words on a page. (Not unlike snakes on a plane. Only → Read more...

Stand In The Place Where You Live

Posted by Kerri Anne in i am a visual learner, lists! on Aug 18th, 2010 | 15 responses

This post inspired by my friend and partner in movie quote crime, Home Sweet Sarah.

—————

Some of the most memorable places I have stood, in no particular order:

On The Great Wall of China. Next to my sister as she took her wedding vows. In front of the Kremlin in Moscow. Next to my favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Priest Lake. Specifically, my family’s Priest Lake dock spot. On Mt. Seorak, South Korea. Poolside for countless summers with friends, and cousins, and awesome(ly ridiculous) bikinis. At the base → Read more...

“I once saw him beat a guy up with a starfish.” “That’s ridiculous.”

Posted by Kerri Anne in copains, good things, life is funny, lists! on Aug 9th, 2010 | 26 responses

Full disclosure: I initially considered titling this post !!!!!!!!! but Wordpress started laughing at me, and threatened to throw spam.

At this point to say I cannot contain my already typically excessive exclaiming is to understate. HOW am I going to refrain from blurting out, “Hawaii! I’m going there!” from now until I leave at the beginning of September? Better yet, Maui! + getting to see my sister in TWO WEEKS = how am I going to sleep tonight? And the → Read more...

Not A Kid’s Movie Review: Pan’s Labyrinth

Posted by Kerri Anne in i am a visual learner, i like movies on Aug 4th, 2010 | 7 responses

Originally aired: January 19, 2007. Watched by Kerri Anne: August 1, 2010. Courtesy of: Netflix Instant Watch. Because: a) I was in the mood for a lighthearted, kid-centric story; b) Netflix told me I would four stars enjoy it and saw fit to leave out crucial somber-tone-revealing plot points in their synopsis; c) Netflix is a lying liar face; d) ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Starring: A slew of great Spanish actors you’ve probably never heard of, most notably Ivana Baquero and Maribel Verdú. Protagonist’s → Read more...

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And I quote

You lose yourself, you reappear
You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Alone you stand with nobody near
When a trembling distant voice, unclear
Startles your sleeping ears to hear
That somebody thinks they really found you

A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit
To satisfy, insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not forget
That it is not he or she or them or it
That you belong to

Although the masters make the rules
For the wise men and the fools
I got nothing, Ma, to live up to

My eyes collide head-on with stuffed
Graveyards, false gods, I scuff
At pettiness which plays so rough
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Kick my legs to crash it off
Say okay, I have had enough, what else can you show me?

And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They’d probably put my head in a guillotine
But it’s alright, Ma, it’s life, and life only

-Bob Dylan from It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

English nerdery

I knew the Red Pyramid had just been reopened, or was about to be reopened, though I didn’t know why they called it Red. I wanted to ride on a horse through the desert. I wanted to see if this man–slight, with brown teeth, wide-set eyes, a cop mustache–would try to kill me. There were plenty of Egyptians who would love to kill me, I was sure, and I was ready to engage in any way with someone who wanted me dead. I was alone and restless and both passive and quick to fury. It was a beautiful time, everything electric and hideous.

-Dave Eggers, from Another