Outliers: The Story of Success

I had high expectations for Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell and I was not disappointed. I read the first half of this book in one sitting and finished it two days later. What did I learn about success? Context is everything. 55/100

Today I am grateful for: good night's sleep, electricity (!) and all the things it allows me to enjoy (air conditioning, washing machine, dishwasher, stereo, TV, computer, etc), getting wedding invitations, spicy eggplant from my favorite Thai restaurant, having a short commute, accepting that I am a morning person, finding a bargain, email, plans to look forward to, and hanging out with My Heart's Desire.

I listened to Steve Martin's The Pleasure of My Company and honestly couldn't remember if I had read it before or not. I didn't like his earlier work, Shopgirl, so I was a bit of a reluctant listener. While my disbelief had to be suspended many times, the book was read by the author and was a mildly enjoyable tale. 54/100

The Art of Eating In: How I Learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove

The Art of Eating In: How I Learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove by Cathy Erway is the story of a Brooklyn hipster who swore off eating out in New York City for two years. She expanded her culinary horizons, found alternative non-restaurant group dining events (like supper clubs and cook-offs), and explored other non-traditional eating methods, like urban gathering and freeganism. Interesting premise but it reads very much like what it is -- a blog in book form. 53/100

I Love Leisurely Weekend Breakfast

This morning I made french toast with Trader Joe's wheat bread (lightly toasted first so it doesn't get soggy). Then I covered some banana slices with cinnamon, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cooked in the George Foreman grill. They pretty much fell apart.

Then I made french toast with the same ingredients, and added an egg and some egg whites. I cooked the toast in the George Foreman but I was using the wrong plate (should have used the griddle plate) so after a few minutes My Heart's Desire just cooked the french toast in a pan on the stove. I topped with the smushy bananas and some chopped pecans, with maple syrup on the side for dipping.

My Heart's Desire made fried eggs and toast for himself, and some veggie sausages for us to share. It was fabulous!

How I Live Now

I listened to How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff because this novel was accidentally shelved in the regular fiction section rather than in young adult.

Regardless of the intended audience, I found the book engaging, well-written, and very suspenseful. This novel has a lot of elements found in sentimental literature: a motherless daughter with an evil stepmother, wartime, a taboo romance, struggle in the wild, and connecting to the pain of others as well as life-changing learning experiences. 52/100

In Halves

My mom came for a visit recently and stayed at my home. She has many unique and endearing qualities, not the least of which is her fondness for half of something. In previous visits, she has offered me half a piece of gum and I'm not surprised when I find half a yogurt in the fridge.

"Just a half for me, thanks" she often says. I'm not sure where this came from, though thrift in general is a theme that runs steadily through my family. I also rinse out and reuse plastic bags and am not afraid to ask if an establishment has a coupon for those who forgot their coupon (this sometimes works!). On this visit, she asked if My Heart's Desire or I would share a Diet Coke with her.

After my mom's departure, I found half a piece of spelt bread in the kitchen and My Heart's Desire discovered half a dryer sheet in the laundry room. I knew he wouldn't eat the spelt bread (too healthy for him) but he wondered aloud if I had suddenly found dryer sheets 50% too big for my liking.

The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien was recommended to me by one of the members of my writing group. I'd read the title story in a fiction anthology in at least one class and found the rest of the stories almost as good as the first. Good writing and good storytelling. 51/100

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler features more hilarious tales from the popular comic. I haven't seen her show or her stand up, so all of this material was new to me. I read this book in two sittings. 50/100

Big Machine

Big Machine by Victor LaValle is an ambitious tale with almost more back story than, well, story. This novel features good writing and so many cinematic elements (drugs! secrets! family drama! cult upbringing! hustlers! secret societies! the supernatural!) that it reads like a very well fleshed out screenplay. I don't think I've ever said this before, but I can't wait for this book to become a movie. 49/100

Today I am grateful for: hooky days from work, a great wedding weekend at the beach, sunscreen, big sunglasses, a charming hotel, fresh flowers, holding hands with My Heart's Desire, meals shared with family and friends, staying tobacco free, and being open to new ideas.

Race Announcement!

I met the first part of my 2010 fitness goal, which was to participate in one race and to raise money for a worthy cause. The second part of my goal is to go beyond my comfort zone and do something more challenging.

After talking to my fitness pal and several others who have done what I want to do, and taking a big leap, I signed up for a 1/2 Marathon this fall!

I've started training (the run/walk Galloway method) and have been consistent. Every week I do two short runs (no longer than an hour) and one slow long run, where distance is the goal. Yesterday I went for my longest run ever, nine miles! My Heart's Desire insisted that I play "Eye of the Tiger" at least once during my long run, and it makes me laugh when I hear it.

My goals for this race are to have fun and cross the finish line injury-free.

2010 Goals: June Progress

I set specific 2010 goals so here's an update on my June progress.

Read/Write/Blog
1. I read 7 books this month, raising my yearly total to 48. As usual, I started a lot of books but didn't like them enough to finish.

2. My writing group did not meet this month but I have given myself a homework assignment. I'm writing an essay for Real Simple's contest. We are also scheduling a time to meet again.

3. Submit... This really is a chore. I thought I would get to it this month, but I haven't. I know no publication is going to knock on my door and ask to read my work, so I need to get cracking on this!

4. Yes, I am a blogging fool. This is my 107th post of the year, so I am ahead of schedule for 200 blog posts this year.

Healthy
5. I met the first part of my goal, which was to participate in one race and to raise money for a worthy cause. Thank you again all who supported Furiously Walking! The second part of my goal is to go beyond my comfort zone and do something more challenging. This year I have been working on improving my running (and by that, I mean run/walking). A race announcement will be coming soon!

6. I exceeded my goal of eating vegetarian meals 90% of the time by eating veggie 98% of the time. I'm getting more into the groove of eating vegetarian meals. My CSA is providing fresh veggies every week that I am creating yummy meals around.

My Heart's Desire is also excellent on the grill. He grills burgers (veggie for me, meat for him) with fresh asparagus and corn or potatoes at least once a week. Yum! I'm also making summer salads for healthy lunches. My favorite now includes mixed greens, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, chickpeas, blue cheese, and pecans.

Fun & Friends
7. The Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® was new to me and I did it with a friend.

8. Seeing friends. This month I saw friends a little bit less than once a week. I met friends for a mani-pedi, coffee, and a movie. I also had a tummy bug for about 8 days, which slowed me down and I cancelled plans with pals so I could keep it to myself.

9. My Heart's Desire and I had fun this month. We went for a nice walk, and the movies (Iron Man and Get Him to the Greek).

10. Photo taken of My Heart's Desire and I? Nope.

11. Bonus! It's All Relative. My Heart's Desire and I went to Delaware for some family fun with his family. And I went to Baltimore for my cousin's bridal shower.