Wow. It has been a while.

My name is Heavenlyginger and I do the best imitation of myself.

Things have been a bit crazy. I did get my gallbladder out, almost six weeks ago. My son may have whooping cough. I have facebook. I'm taking a cake decorating course. I'm quite tired.

The quest for the jeans continues. 'The Emperors Children' is a great book. My cousin bought the new Kalen Porter CD and has told the interweb about it.

NCIS premiered this week. The Office premieres tonight. These things make me happier than they should.

I'm tired.

Chick Lit, so to speak

My mom and I had a conversation the other day regarding "Chick Lit" and what it is. It seems that publishers are so happy to have a name for books featuring females that they put them all in that category. As long as the main character is a female and usually if the writer is a female then Chick lit it is. You might see 'Great Beach Read' also around it at this time of the year.
So this is not a new issue. People have been talking about it for ages - the classification of all female literature as 'Chick Lit'. Goes along with the 'Chick Flick' movie classifications. However, it amazes me all the different books that are placed in that category. I've read a lot of them or at least, at some point have read something from the author and I have to say: Danielle Steele and Jennifer Weiner are not the same.
See... almost every book features a quest. In some 'Chick Lit' books it seems as though the quest is love. The identity of the female is wrapped up in finding love. Employed in this quest are all kinds of characters who demean the main character along the way until finally they find love. They're beautiful, they're (allegedly) strong and they need to be loved. The end of the book has a romantic happy ending 99% of the time. In other 'Chick Lit' books, the character is on a quest as well - but it's for personal understanding. Personal acceptance and an understanding of where they fit in the world. The character is still often beautiful, perhaps not as conventionally, however, that's not always a positive. They may end up in a romantic relationship, but they have figured out who they are within it, not because of it. In the second category, the writing is often not as formulaic.
Why are these two lumped together - just because they have females in them? So very frustrating and something that shows that the world likes to place things in boxes and call it something. This summer, don't box up your reading. Read wide and varied and enjoy. don't read it because it's chick lit - but don't not read it because it's chick lit. You might find something good.

A conversation with my son

P: Mama I need you!!!
Me: Awwww {go over to hug him}
P: Sweet little Mama
Me: Awwwwww {cuddle closer}
P: Sweet little Mama... I need chocolate


A sweet talker and he's only just three. I worry for those in his future. Between his way with words and those big blue eyes, there will be many a heart broken. And much chocolate eaten.

A quiz for you!

1. Your Middle Name:
2. Age:
3. Single or Taken:
4. Favorite Movie:
5. Favorite Song or Album:
6. Favorite Band/Artist:
7. Dirty or Clean:
8. Tattoos and/or Piercings:
9. Do we know each other outside of LJ?
10. What's your philosophy on life?
11. Is the bottle half-full or half-empty?
12. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
13. What is your favorite memory of us?
14. What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
15. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
16. You can have three wishes (for yourself, so forget all the 'world peace etc' malarkey) - what are they :
17. Can we get together and make a cake?
18. Which country is your spiritual home?
19. What is your big weakness?
20. Do you think I'm a good person?
21. What was your best/favorite subject at school:
22. Describe your accent:
23. If you could change anything about me, would you?
24. What do you wear to sleep?
25. Trousers or skirts?
26. Cigarettes or alcohol?
27. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
28. Will you repost this so I can fill it out for you?

Soooo...

I have a little sister. And she just graduated from University. With Honours. Yes, they make them smart in my family. I have a little brother as well who moved away to Toronto three years ago. He also graduated from University. Yes, they make them full of debt in my family (and have given us wonderful parents who did so much for us and still do).
My sister had a phone interview on Thursday. Today she got the job and found out she's moving to Toronto Sunday. SUNDAY.
Fuck.
I'm going to miss my little sister. Of course, now I have NO reason not to visit Toronto. But damn. That was quick.
Mom and I joked that I would write letters to my siblings:

My version:

Dear J and A:
Do not come home. I get the house.
Ali.


Hers

Dear J and A:
Come home. I cannot care for our aging parents myself.
Ali.

I think if I did write a letter it would read

Dear J and A:
Please come home. I miss you.
love,
Ali

Perhaps I should get facebook now to keep up with them all.

Medical Notes

My cat is lying on the floor. At one point I had to check and make sure he was still breathing as he's lying so very still and quiet. He's been walking around looking like yoda, but without the flip flops and little robe. He apparently has bacteria in his ears - bad bacteria. So 114$ later we have that information and medicine. At least they weighed him for free.
And now I'm going to the doctor. There's a number of things I need to talk to her about, the least of which is the fact that I need to get thicker, healthier hair and need the ability to take naps all the time since I have the time to do that. There's nothing worse that knowing everyone else is at work, unable to take naps when they want and you're home, lying in bed unable to sleep.
Hopefully P. doesn't get the pinkeye that's at his daycare centre right now. Drops for the cat and the child? That I would not be able to handle!!

Ha!

Church Sign Smackdown!!