A Handful of Dusty Platypi

Okay, let's talk books.

I finally finished A Handful of Dust, and let me tell you something: it was terrible.

Absolutely horrible.

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Supposedly it was full of biting wit poking fun at British society in the 20s or 30s or some such decade, but such delights were lost on me.

It started out interestingly enough, both times I read it, but got boring murky in the middle, and ended rather unsatisfactorily. Oh, and there was an alternate ending. Which MADE NO SENSE AND WAS EVEN WORSE.

Thus, to augment my lack of impression, I turn to SparkNotes for some clue as to why this book is a classic.

...oh bugger, apparently SparkNotes doesn't like it either. It's not in their database. I am vindicated.

No matter, there's also Wikipedia. Where I just learned that Mr. Evelyn Waugh (oh, yes, it's a man) was married to a Ms. Evelyn Gardner, and the two became known as "He-Evelyn" and "She-Evelyn" among their friends. That's awkward. But she cheated on him, causing their marital demise. She-Evelyn, how could you?

Okay, back to this magical book which I went to great lengths to read (twice). If you'll remember, I first started the book back in June, on a flight to Detroit by way of Atlanta. It was in Atlanta that I left the book on the plane.

Apparently someone really wanted that book because Delta couldn't seem to find it. So I paid my fine to the Rosenberg Library, and moved on with my life.

This time around, as I picked up the book from the Austin Public Library, I found an airline ticket stub tucked inside. Thank you, Ms. Melissa P., for haunting me with your cruel irony. I hope you know the pain you've caused me.

Anywho, here's the gist of the story: There's this really boring guy, who tends to awkwardly insert himself into other people's lives. A really bored lady fancies herself in love with him, requests a divorce, and pisses off her husband, who, to spite her, goes off to the jungles of Brazil on an expedition where he dies...or does he? There is an alternate ending after all.

I know, you're just chomping at the bit to read it, aren't you? After that glowing review, I wouldn't be surprised if the publishers wake up the sleepy machines that first printed it and send out at least two more copies.

Oh goody, there's a movie too!

Now, on a more interesting note, let's talk about my sinuses.

Just kidding. Or not.

I'm getting better, but I still didn't go to yoga like I'd planned today. I had this feeling that all that bending and stretching was going to turn my drippy schnozz into a uncontrollable faucet of germs. I wasn't okay with that. I really want to go, though. It's one of the things I've been meaning to try since moving here, and the one thing I still haven't done.

Oh, well, that and the botanical gardens. Whoops.

I told y'all I was getting boring.

Today, I did venture out into the city to get my hairs chopped off, and I also bought some pretty great gifts for little Miss Bennet, which are now in our stockings.

She's super spoiled, but you have to keep your sidekick happy, you know?

Even when she decides to cozy up on your clean laundry. Hmph.

For these adventures, I went all the way up to Northwest Austin, which is pretty much uncharted territory. It was quite suburban. Not my new hang-out, that's for sure. But my new stylist came highly recommended and happens to go to church with me, so it was worth it, I think.

Oh, and I've started a new book! Per my rules (which, admittedly, I tend to uphold and/or dismiss based on my own whims), I've moved Off List to enjoy a little light reading:

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It's been a few years since I finished college (officially three now...oy!), so I thought I should catch back up with my education. You know, for funsies.

Mmkay, bye.