Ireland or Irvine?

Last weekend, my friends and I went to the Irish Fair in Irvine. Lots of over-priced hotdogs and greasy fish and chips to be had. And what kind of Irish Fair is it if you can’t get a Guiness?! Anyway, we had a grand old time. We perused the booths and drooled over numerous exotic scarves, dresses, and pieces of celtic jewelry.

We went mostly to see Gaelic Storm. They’re the band that was playing in steerage in Titanic. They’re completely wonderful on CD, but live they’re freakin’ awesome! They did two sets in the hot Anaheim sun. They’re website’s a kick and you can win a trip to Ireland. Check it out!

We also saw a band called The Joshua Tree. They’re a U2 tribute band. I was thoroughly expecting them to suck. Especially when I saw the faux Bono standing around before they went on. When he talks, he sounds like he’s from either the Valley or maybe Malibu. Very California. Then I heard him sing! He sounds like Bono! Eerily, like Bono. They were great. I kept wishing that my U2 nut friend Debbie was there… We’ll have to catch them at the House of Blues, or something. Check out their website too!

The sheepdog demonstration was wonderful! In fact... I liked it better than Cats. I’d see it again and again.

The strangest thing we saw (other than the lesbian Civil War re-enactors) was the woman dressed in period costume, with her boobs hiked up to here, with a (wait for it) pear stuck in her cleavage. Yes, you read that correctly. A pear. In her cleavage. If anybody out there can explain this phenomenon to me, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Monday Quote

"Don't let the muggles get you down."
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

"He accused me of being Dumbledore's man, through and through.... I told him I was."
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The Topography of It's Blots

I don't understand how people can read a book once. I was e-mailing my friend Melissa the other day and she says that she never reads something over again. I started thinking about that and thought, "How is that possible?" To me, this is like finding something that you adore and then never stopping to admire it again.

Every time I read a book again, I discover something new. The characters are more vivid, I'll catch a plot point that I missed before, or re-discover a wonderful part that I had forgottten about. I've been re-reading Harry Potter in the last few days and Chamber of Secrets has a whole new meaning AFTER you've read Half-Blood Prince! Knowing what's going to happen four books later makes it much more interesting.

Also, as Charles Lamb says, "A book reads better which is our own, and has been so long known to us, that we know the topography of it's blots. and dog's ears, and can trace the dirt in it to having read it at tea with buttered muffins."

Now, if you'll excuse me, Harry's almost to the first task in the Triwizard Tournament.

Welcome to the Caribbean, Love

It's more than a little ridiculous, really. Normally, I'm fine living two states away from almost all of my family. I'm OK talking to my mom on the phone once or twice a week and participating in e-mail volleys. My auntie provides the familial affection that I need here in L.A. and life is peachy.

Except for the last three days. I've been having pangs of homesickness. The urge to sit with my mummy on the couch, a cat in each of our laps, drinking margaritas, and watching mindless movies. Preferably Tomb Raider or something similar. I want to eat at the Pizzeria in Ogden and get a hug from my daddy. I need to set Grandmother's dinner table and sit around it with my clan. I even want to walk to see the horses that my mom loves so much.

So, you're thinking, suck it up and dial the damn phone! Send one of those e-mails. It only takes 30 seconds! What the hell's wrong with you?!

My parents are in Jamaica until Saturday. Damn it. I'm heartily in favor of them having some fun and spending a week in the sunny tropics, but wouldn't you know it that as soon as they board the plane their sappy daughter would go all sentimental.

How soon is Saturday?

Sigh. I need a hug.

Monday Quote

"He called it my 'furry little problem' in company. Many people were under the impression that I owned a badly behaved rabbit."

- Remus Lupin in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince