Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley (Oct 13-Nov 4). The bookstore's book club book for Oct-Nov. I read the later version of the story years ago, which was alright, but I REALLY didn't like the original 1818 text. Victor Frankenstein is one of the most annoying, whiny book characters I've come across (mom agreed too). Someone on Goodreads said "If you open up any page in this horrendous book, you will have a 100% chance of Victor whining of what a miserable wretch he and/or the Daemon is." I tried it, and sure enough, they were right. The best part of the book was when the monster pulled aside Frankenstein's bed curtains LOL

A Polar Affair: Antarctica's Forgotten Hero and the Secret Love Lives of Penguins by Lloyd Spencer Davis (Oct 31-Nov 6). Oh my, a book partly about penguin sex LOL. They aren't as innocent as they look... O_o

Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know by Ranulph Fiennes (Nov 7-13). Most people in their 50s and 60s are thinking about retirement..meanwhile Fiennes climbed the North Face of the Eiger, ran 7 marathons in 7 continents in 7 days (that sounds AWFUL D:), summited Mt. Everest (at 65, the oldest Briton to do so), etc. He was also the first to completely cross Antarctica on foot, completed the Northwest Passage, cut off his own frostbitten fingers after trying to walk to the North Pole, and many other things. I can see why he's known as the Greatest Living Explorer! He makes me feel very lazy LOL (his brother Ralph Fiennes played Voldemort in Harry Potter!)

Conquering the Impossible: My 12,000-Mile Journey Around the Arctic Circle by Mike Horn (Nov 14-20). That didn't sound fun at all, especially walking in -95 degree weather D:

How Iceland Changed the World: The Big History of a Small Island by Egill Bjarnason (Nov 21-25). A good time to read this after hearing about the volcano that's erupting! I must go someday, it sounds like a cool, friendly place!

The Skeleton Tree by Iain Lawrence (Nov 26-28). Two kids stranded in the Alaskan wilderness spend most of their time fighting with each other..ugh. I wasn't expecting a reference to A Christmas Carol though, I wouldn't have spotted it if I hadn't been obsessed with it like I am right now haha (the author also wrote The Winter Pony, a story told in the perspective of one of Robert Falcon Scott's ponies..that one was a lot better than this one)

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley (Nov-28-30). After six years, a new Flavia de Luce novel!! She is so funny..she liked to decorate her room with death cap mushrooms to "draw the eye" haha. And believe it or not, this book had FOUR references to A Christmas Carol!! Two books in a row?? What are the chances of that? The author almost always mentions something about glaciers/Antarctica/polar exploration, etc, and this one was no exception (I about died when in the first book Flavia said the walk across her cold room would have daunted Scott of the Antarctic lol). I think Alan Bradley must be a fan of that sort of thing too!

The Hidden Life of Ice: Dispatches from a Disappearing World by Alberto Flores d'Arcais (Nov 30)

Yesterday mom and I saw Wicked (part one), which was pretty good! (I remember liking it when I saw it live in London too.) I don't remember Glinda being that annoying though. D: I must see the live action How to Train Your Dragon too! I'd heard a little about The War of the Rohirrim, but I didn't expect it to be anime-styled! Why?!? To me, that completely ruins it..sorry anime fans, but I just can't do it :/

( nov 30-dec 1 )

Mom and I recently watched Dune Part 2 (which was epic, except for the fact the music was so loud that half the time I couldn't understand what people were saying), and I was surprised by this trailer:

They made a sequel to Twister?? I had no idea that was going to happen! I doubt it'll be as good as the first one, but I'll probably watch it anyway haha

Today at work a customer came in with his kids, and when he came up to the register he asked me about a bee book he wanted..I thought he had put it on the request list, but didn't see it. He was about to go to the back to look for the volunteer he thought helped him, but I was like "uh, no, I'll get the bookstore manager." He was being super weird with his kids, like I saw him drag one across the floor, and kissed another in a weird loud way and kept saying "toot toot!" My skin started crawling. When Vicki came up he said he had seen a couple books at the sale and they were put aside for him or something?? I was like "ohh, I misunderstood" and he said "I thought I made that clear to you." Uhh, no, you just said you were looking for a book. Then he kept HITTING HIS KID on his chest, RIGHT in front of me!! He also said "shhh!" in a super mean way. OMG my skin was absolutely CRAWLING then. I felt weird and uncomfortable by his vibes to begin with (the curse of being an empath lol), but that was upsetting..those poor kids!! I had to go to the back and hug Vicki's curtains haha, I was SO uncomfortable by the whole thing. Vicki didn't find the books he was talking about either, but she and another coworker were weirded out too (Vicki actually talked to Lucie about it, and next time he comes in she's going to observe him..child abuse is NOT ok). It took a long time for my skin to stop crawling (I've dealt with plenty of "odd" customers, but this guy just set me off!). Those kids deserve better! And weirdly enough, a customer who checked out after that had a bee on her shirt..it's a weird bee day! :P

I recently had my semi-annual inspection, and Abby just followed the inspectors around, meowing and making sure they did a good job LOL..such a social kitty!

( march 16-20 )

South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby (Oct 29-Nov 4). The main character and her brother's hero was Cherry, and would quote him throughout the book. When her brother ended his own life, a copy of Worst Journey was found by his body. The book ended with a Cherry quote too..I'm glad he inspires other people too! (Even if they are fictional people lol)

How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior (Nov 4-7). A grumpy old lady goes to Antarctica and hangs out with penguins haha, and she read Worst Journey too! (Though it didn't make her feel any better :P)

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (Nov 8-14). OMG THIS BOOK WAS SO WEIRD. It was partly about plants, which I expected, but also about her sex life (well, a lack of one), and how she loved going in her closet to "frantically explor[e] her spongy petals" of her "quim" (yes, that is what it said). OMG NO that's more than I ever wanted to know. O__o I kept on reading hoping it would get better, but it just kept getting weirder
( a funny review from someone on goodreads )

I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall (Nov 14-16)

My Penguin Year: Life Among the Emperors by Lindsay McCrae (Nov 17-20). He only mentioned Cherry at the end?? Come on, he deserves more than that LOL

With Ski and Sledge Over Arctic Glaciers by William Martin Conway (Nov 20-21)

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long (Nov 22-25). SO GOOOOD! I always like when an animal companion plays a big part in the story <3

Don't Let in the Cold by Keely Parrack (Nov 25-27). The main character fell in love with the guy that broke into her house who she'd only known for like two days..seems unrealistic to me LOL, but the rest of the book was pretty good

Adrift: A Secret Life of London's Waterways by Helen Babbs (Nov 29-30). This was way more boring that I thought it would be..at least it was a quick read lol

Nine books again!! I hope one day I can get 10 and break that record lol. It was kind of hard choosing this month because next year's challenge topics hadn't been released yet, and I didn't want to read one that would fit in next year's challenge (it was released today! It looks HARD! I do like the "from an animal's POV" and "a book set in the snow" topics though)

Today me and Vicki, after realizing the year is almost over, just looked at each other and were like "wow.." The first part of the year was awful for both of us (her husband died in her arms in February), but the second part of the year has been great for both of us. Vicki could absolutely see the progress I've made with healing from depression, even though she hadn't seen it for the whole time I was struggling. It was a powerful moment for both of us. I'm so glad I met Vicki, she's so caring and supportive and just a comforting person <3 (we got yelled at by a customer today, and both Lucie and Vicki said I handled it very well..we still had to go to the back and "cool off" for a couple minutes though lol. Unnecessary rudeness is not cool!)

I'm sad..Old San Juan's famous cats all have to be removed. :( To be fair, the place did smell awful, but still, the cats were one reason I loved it there. I hope they can find good homes for them!

( a cute pic of abby! )

25 – Shopping Reminder Day: Shopping Reminder Day falls roughly a month before Christmas, and as such it’s the perfect reminder to go ahead and get started on all of your holiday shopping. How do you feel about holiday shopping? Do you need a reminder to go shopping for holiday gifts? I don't need a reminder, I just always wait to the last minute haha, but it is fun to find just the right gift

26 – Cake Day: Cake or pie? Or something else? Cake...mmmm, frosting

27 – Pins and Needles Day: Can you sew, either by hand or by machine? What was the last thing you sewed? No. Something in Home Ec in middle school, probably??

28 – French Toast Day: Do you like French toast? No, and I don't understand why it's so well liked..soggy bread that's tasteless, no thanks :P

29 – Throw Out Your Leftovers Day: How do you feel about leftovers? Are you happy to eat the same food more than once in a row, or do you crave variety in your diet? Do you take leftovers home from a restaurant when/if you eat out? I like leftovers, though after a couple days I get tired of them. Yes, I purposely don't eat all my food (usually) at a restaurant so I can take some home and be excited to eat it the next day lol

30 – Stay Home Because You're Well Day: Have you ever taken a mental health day from your job, or just decided not to go to work even though you weren't sick, because you felt like staying home or for some other reason? Yeahh, I had a mental health six months..not fun

December 1 – Cookie Cutter Day: Do you own any cookie cutters? Any unusual ones? Tell us about them. No

Last week dad got me a smoothie, but he called it a slurpie, so the lady made me a slushie. We went back and I said "oh, my dad said slurpie but he really meant smoothie," and the lady said she would redo it. When she gave the smoothie back, I said "sorry for the confusion!" and she made some kind of gesture that she understood. Dad did seem kind of aloof for whatever reason though. Today dad and I went back and after ordering the lady was like "was it you last week who had a wrong drink made?" and I said yes..I was expecting her to say sorry or even give me a free drink (I'm too optimistic LOL), so I was completely shocked when she said "you were very mean to my coworker, there's usually only one person working here and we're only human. Make sure to remember that next time!" I was shocked and horrified, and told her I absolutely was NOT mean, and yelled at us some more about meanness. I tried talking to her again but she shut the window and left!! OMG. Dad and I felt like we had been scolded! Maybe dad was being weird, but he wasn't MEAN. SHE was the one being mean! I was pretty upset..I'm naturally a nice person, so telling me I was mean is one of the biggest insults you can tell me. I actually called the business after I got to work because I HAD to explain to her I wasn't trying to be mean at all, that's not who I am. She did say she didn't think I was a mean person, but she still kept saying the "remember next time" thing. Really?! You do NOT treat customers like that..there have been SO MANY times I've wanted to yell at customers, but I DON'T..it's hurtful and inappropriate. If I wasn't on Prozac I probably would have completely fell apart, but after ranting to my coworkers I was able to work, though I couldn't get rid of the bad feeling the whole time..it's like it sticks to your skin or something. Vicki did tell me that that lady was snippy at her too, so it must be her personality?? I don't think dad and I are going back any time soon..I'd be far too embarrassed to show my face again! Too bad, they've always had the best smoothies in town. :( Unless there's a very good reason (like someone hurting an animal), being mean isn't worth it. Hopefully I'll sleep it off and feel better tomorrow..

( sept 23-26 )

Today I was eating lunch in my office when I heard a guy talking to Adam who seemed agitated..Adam was saying that he couldn't sit on the floor. I poked my head out of my office and saw him sitting on the floor, getting more agitated as Adam and Shelby kept telling him he couldn't sit there. He got up, then started saying super mean and rude things to Shelby and Adam, like he was going to kill them and asked Shelby if he could lick her tongue (WTF??). He was yelling and cursing a lot. Brave Adam was in front of him, telling him to leave, and the guy poked him on the nose! The guy was completely losing it by then. They went around the corner and I heard more ruckus, and suddenly Adam comes reeling back to where I was standing, holding his face. I asked him if he was ok, but he didn't answer. Turned out the guy punched him in the face!! D: D: I went around the corner a little more and saw him flailing on the floor in the teachers' offices (the students with their kids quickly got out of there). He was completely manic and calling everyone names and that he was going to kill them (he must have hit his head on something, because it was bloody). I crept a little closer and saw a coworker and a student trying to hold him down..I didn't see it, but he had lightly punched my coworker, and was trying to kick the student in the face. They were able to hold him down (not easily), and the guy yelled some more. We had called the police, and I went back to my office while the officers did their thing ("HANDS! LET ME SEE YOUR HANDS!!" "I'm not resisting!!" Uh huh..). There I found Adam sobbing in my chair. I hugged him, and Lucy talked to him as well. He was even more upset because he didn't have insurance and didn't think he could go to the doctor, and both of us said we would help pay for the visit, no question. She talked to Adam for a long time, and he seemed ok-ish when Lucy went to take hin to the doctor. We actually had to close the bookstore for a couple hours, so everyone could recover and decompress. My coworker who helped hold the guy down seemed alright, but the student was shaking. Everyone was shaken, I think..in all my years at the bookstore I've never seen anyone that violent there..wow. I felt so bad for Adam..I hope he'll be alright. I hope they keep the guy in jail, because he is very dangerous. What a crazy day..

Early this morning I start on the journey to Kansas! It's definitely time for a vacation lol. Excited to see grandma and other family again!

( nov 5-7 )

Early this morning I woke up to voices in the hallway, and them someone pounding on my door..when I opened it a little this lady was like "you have my phone, give me my phone!," while pushing on the door to open it further. I told her I definitely did not have her phone, more than once, and then she pulled out a knife from her pocket and was like "YES YOU DO!," and barged her way past me into my apartment!! (She was definitely intoxicated, I could smell it when she was near me, and she said something about a party.) I just stood there in shock, still holding the door open. She walked into my living room, where Abby meowed at her..I was worried she would hurt Abby, but thankfully walked past her into the kitchen, where she opened my freezer door, took an ice cream sandwich or two and said "you don't need these" (thankfully I saw her put her knife back in her pocket then). Then she just casually walked out..my neighbor heard all this and was poking her head out her door, and I was like "..she took my food!!" haha. She called the police, who came quickly (the station is very close). A couple officers talked to me, while others went searching for the lady, who I think they found, but didn't say for sure. That was a pretty shocking start to the morning..I probably shouldn't have opened the door in the first place, but if there's a next time I'll pretend I'm not home or something, and call the police if they don't leave (I live in what is supposed to be a locked building, but sometimes the lock mechanism doesn't work properly, which is what I saw when I left for work later. They really need to fix that!!). I'm glad my neighbors look out for me though, and that Abby and I didn't get hurt! Crazy..

( 15. Have you ever served on jury duty? If so, what was the case about? If not, would you like to be on a jury in the future? )

Today's trivia: Due to their high fat content and lower water content, pistachios are prone to self-heating. If too many pistachios are shipped in a single container, they will self-heat and experience spontaneous combustion, which is why ships have a lot of conditions to be met when transporting them (good ventilation, etc)

Happy National Book Lovers Day!! My TBR bookshelf is always growing haha


How can I resist taking a picture with my favorite book?? LOL

After only eight months as Executive Director at the Literacy Council, Heidi had to step down (she's been having trouble finding daycare for her son). She definitely enjoyed it though. Someone already working at LCA might take the position, which is cool, because she's very nice lol

Good thing I have insurance, because after those ER visits and hospital stays, I would have ended up owing THOUSANDS of dollars. O___o It's crazy it costs so much!

( august 6-9 )

Today's trivia: At $378.5 million, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the most expensive film ever made

1. When did you last eat or drink something purchased from a truck or other wheeled vehicle? Wednesday, when I went to dinner with mom after seeing Doctor Strange (mmmm, gyros)
2. When did you last purchase something previously owned? Today lol, there's a 50% sale at work today and of course I had to buy some :P
3. When did a purchase most recently exceed your expectations? Maybe recently?
4. When did you last overpay for something because you needed it right away? I feel like I'm overpaying for everything these days lol, grocery shopping is so expensive D:
5. Among recent purchases, what was the best bargain? Books?? Haha

At work this month we haven't been accepting any book donations because we have so many right now (one reason we're having that sale lol), and Denise has been going through the boxes in our storage locker..some customers are like "ok, I'll come back in July," but other ones look at you like you just told them their mom died or something. Yesterday I told someone no donations, and she was like "ok, should I just throw them away then??" and I said "um, no!!" and she was like "well I don't want them anymore!" and threw them all in the trash! I was horrified and so surprised I couldn't speak for a minute! Wow (Adam rescued them when she left LOL). I understand being frustrated about bringing books in and then being told no, but being overly rude isn't going to help anything. I'm glad most of our customers are nice LOL

( june 23-24 )

I am home! Yesterday, before we left the B&B, I left little notes around for the next person to find..like I put "I can see clearly now the dust is gone" by the window, "brrr, it's cold in here!" in the freezer, "best bed ever!!" in my room, and there was this decoration thing with a lid and I put the note in it with a date on it, so whoever finds it knows how long it's been in there..it was really fun haha. Since it was dark on the drive into Yuma, we saw what we had missed before, a little canyon while crossing over the mountains..cool! We stayed at a tiny B&B in Phoenix near the airport..the fold-out bed was one of the most uncomfortable beds I'd ever slept in, but at least it was only for one night. We had dinner in downtown Phoenix and then wandered around for awhile..it seemed to have a vibrant nightlife! Then all too soon is was time for bed..it was a fun trip though!

We had to get up at 5 something today, ugh (why am I always cold when I get up that early?). Ryan was grouchy, but not as grouchy as the lady at the ticket counter, who was yelling in her phone about how she could possibly get her two-year-old to wear a mask, and was like "call 911, call security! There's no security on this floor? What's wrong with you guys?? I'm gonna get a lawyer for this!" and on and on. The person checking us in was really uncomfortable, and would look over at her and sigh. I'd be SO embarrassed if I made a scene like that..her poor kid was just standing there, dazed. I don't know what the outcome was, but I imagine it wasn't pretty. The flights were fine..I watched Die Hard with a Vengeance and some of The Last Castle..I kept peeking out the window so I wouldn't miss the glaciers. It was cloudy at first, and my weather magic worked again because it was clear over the glaciers! Too bad I was right next to the wing, but I did get some pics. Always love seeing the glacial wonderland. <3 Both Greyboy and Abby were very happy to see me haha. It's always hard coming back to "reality" after vacation though :P

( some glacier pics! )

15. What is one thing you've realized or discovered lately? That I really, really want a four-poster bed haha..it made me feel secure and cozy!

16. Which family member did you inherit your hair color from? Mom..people say our hair is exactly the same lol

Meet Pretty Kitty!

Someone I used to work with (Liz) went out of state, and asked me to take care of her cat while she's gone..sure! She said Pretty Kitty is pretty (heh) low-maintenance, just needs the usuals and a nice lap..I can do that lol (I met PK once some years ago too, but she wouldn't remember me haha). Liz said she's pretty quiet, but she did meow some on the drive over, and when she was exploring my apartment, but she didn't seem TOO scared (unlike Abby, her voice is soft). She definitely loves being pet..I love how soft she is! Hopefully she'll have a nice time at my house (though she might get addicted to Greenies LOL). She's 15, the same age as Abby..cool!

This is how close that fire got to Chena Hot Springs:

OMG scary!!! D: The owner refused to close the resort and evacuate, so there are actually pictures/videos of people in the hot springs with a raging forest fire in the background!! "Ahhh, a nice soak while the forest burns around me, so relaxing!!" The guy actually said "I *suppose* we'll have to leave if the buildings catch on fire." Umm yes, I would hope so! All the "this is fine" memes that have come from that are amusing though. :P The fire slowed last week since it was cooler, but it's "perking up" (that's what the fire info website says haha) since it's been hot today..ugh. At least no structures have been lost!

There are a bunch of ducks at the lake at my parents' house, and one mom has NINE chicks!! Mom says they're an armada haha. It's been cool watching them grow up!

( july 10-12 )

Today's trivia: The resolution of the human eye is 576 megapixels