Hold Still

So, there is a new trend out there for vibrating mascara wands. Seriously. Mechanized tools for the appliaction of makeup. Makeup you put near YOUR EYES. Does this not sound like a bad idea to anyone else? I have met people who have poked themselves in the eye with a mascara wand - one even scratched her cornea (that's the outside part right? retina? whatever). And these were not expecially stpid or inept people, so imagine what all the idiots out there could be doing. you know, the people who need to be told not to use and entire acid peel on their facce twice a day and stuff. Those people should definietly not be trusted with complicated machinery. And of course, there is always the issue that mascara wasn't relly that ahrd to apply in the first place. Really, who is having an issue getting their mascara on? And if they can't apply it when it isn't moving, what makes you think they can do it when it's vibrating super fast? Stupid.

Half The Price But Twice The Fun!

There are many wonderful things about living in a city, and I will be the first to admit that one of my favorites is shopping. There are many fine stores here, with many fine things, all of which I want. I have spent much of the last few weeks going into such exotic locales as Super Target and TGI Fridays and exclaiming how wonderful they are, as well as commenting to everyone in sight that I haven't been anyhere like this for almost a decade. It is all very exciting and I'm sure half og Omaha now thinks I am a complete loon. Whatever. My new favorite place is the half price books store (called, I believe, Half Price Books, catchy, eh?). I have always loved books, and could honestly probably drop more money faster in a Barnes and Noble than I could at Neiman Marcus (if anyone wants to give me free rein with their credit card I would love to test that theory out). So this discount place has been tons of fun for me, because in it I can actually BUY THE BOOKS!! We went last week and got 10 books for $23 - not a bad deal. But the kicker is that they also take your used books - you bring em in, they give em a look and then quote you a price and you can take it or leave it. So this weekend, I finally decided that I'd open up the boxes of books I have still packed from our move, and unpack them, shelving the ones I will read again and taking anything I don't need to the bookstore so I can buy new stuff. I got $25!! YAY! And now, of course, I have been set into a frenzy of reading (so I can sell the stuff I just got back, haha) and wanting to unpack the remaining boxes so I have more trade in gold. I have also found myself getting much more strict about the requirements for staying - books that made the cut this weekend may not survive next week. The need to read is strong my fri ends. And the need to give old things away for small amounts of cash so I can buy other old things is apparently stronger. I should probably never go to a swap meet*, or we'll end up with new furniture every week.

*if indeed that is a place to go and swap things. Like furniture type things. I don't really know.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

I just finished reading this book, and I must say I really liked it. All the stellar reviews that have been cropping up all over the place and led me to read it in the first place are right - highly enjoyable. It is a mark of very good writing that you are interested and want to keep reading despite the fact that nothing really happens for, oh, 200 pages. It's like the longest introduction in history, except that it's not because you are already invested in the characters and want to know where the story is going. And then, BAM! the last 100 pages (estimated bceause I'm so not getting up and looking at the book to see where the exciting part starts), are thrilling and releav so much more hidden depths of character. Amazing. I can't wait to read the second one The Girl Who Played With Fire, but I will because it is only in hardback and I am cheap. And poor. And just generally prefer paperback. But once it is out I'm all on it, and most likely the third book as well (still untitled as far as I know) whenever that shows up. it's such a shame that the author died after submitting these three manuscripts, but I'm so glad he did because the first one entertained me and has given me that sweet anticipation for the others.

I know this is a lame review. But it's not really a review anyway bceause I don't even know what to say about the book. It's good - go read it. Yes now.