Black tulips and birthdays.

So in science writing, we're reading Michael Pollan's The Botany of Desire. I'm really loving it so far, and I want to read his other stuff; but the last chapter we read, on the tulip, has made me want to read something else too. He had a whole section on black tulips, and the mania in Holland during the 1600s (I think that was the century) where there were competitions for this, and tulip bulbs were more precious and valuable than anything else. I thought the idea of a black tulip was evocative, intoxicating and chilling at the same time; the symbolic significance of a black tulip is also impossible to ignore, especially with the greed that accompanied them in Holland. There is in fact one tulip, called the Queen of Night, that is almost black--Pollan described it as a deep purplish maroon, the darkest a flower can be without actually being black. He also mentioned Alexandre Dumas' book The Black Tulip, a book I'd never heard of, that centers on one of the competitions in Holland to cultivate a black tulip and the lives that are ruined in the process. I think I would like to read this book someday.

Something else I was thinking about recently is how far my interests have expanded as far as my reading list goes. Since my birthday is coming up, though I'm not sure how many people who read this are actually close enough to want to buy me a birthday present, I think I'd like those who do to get me a random book. Maybe one they think I'd enjoy, one that just looks good, something crazy from a section I've never really looked at before--just as long as it looks interesting. I don't know if this will actually happen, or how many presents I will actually get for my birthday, but I think it's a nice idea anyway.

Snippet of my life

Here's a quick update:

My parents and youngest brother came to visit me this weekend, and we had a grand ol' time. I haven't eaten so well in weeks.

I have recently noticed how much I snort when I laugh, and I don't know if it's because of the weather or if my septum has deviated at all in the past few months. I wouldn't know if I snore--but that would make an unfortunate addition to the ridiculous amount of sleep talking I do.

I have been drinking incredible amounts of tea lately. Like, at least three cups a day, which is a lot for me. I never used to drink tea. That is a lie, I actually drank it quite often in London, but not to this extent. Green tea is best and I am excited because I got a box of Tazo tea of the Zen variety at Target for a very good price.

I have not skipped any of the books I'm supposed to read this semester as of yet. I am quite proud of myself; plus I get to add books to Goodreads because of it. (And also rack up points for my 2009 school year challenge in which I am participating. Yes, we get points for reading certain types of books. I have 55 right now.)

The Oscars are on tonight, and so I will probably not do as much reading tonight as I would have hoped. So that will put a wrench in the previous tidbit I gave you all, but hopefully not a large one. I do need to read Vampire Academy by Tuesday... hmm. And the first half of A Long Way Gone. Perhaps I spoke too soon. I will prevail, I think, but let's all hope for my reading anyway.

Read my story!

Hooray, I'm a published author! BSG put my raccoon story on the site! Read it here: http://beta.beaconstreetgirls.com/club/critters-club

You need to scroll down a bit, but they actually used my full name and it's there! :) :)

Why is there pressure to be thin. Damn you society.

Man, diets suck hardcore. I'm hungry. And it's too late to eat anything because it will just sit in my tummy and make its merry fat way to my hips and bum. Life is so unfair.

If only I were Santa Claus. Then I could be fat and it would be totally acceptable; in fact, it would be expected. Santa's got it easy man. I bet he's on vacation on a beach somewhere, drinking Mai Tais and basking in the glory of a blazing sun. While I'm hungry and cold in Ithaca, NY, trying to write a paper that is pretty much 100% bull at the moment. Oh senior year, the things you do to me.

When you make plans with someone, is it so hard to call them to cancel instead of waiting for them to call you to let them know they're ready? Is it??? This seems to be a pattern in my life. What the hell.

Ah Christ this movie is so good. Love it.

It's the Halloween scene, and now I think the mom is drunk. What kind of mother doesn't notice that her only daughter has shrunken three inches and has grown a grotesquely large head? I don't care if he's covered by a sheet. E.T. does not look like Drew Barrymore, no matter how you look at it.