About a Book Addiction

I don't rememember learning to read...can't imagine my life without books. And I'm definititely not monogomous when it comes to reading. Usually I'm juggling several books at the same time, so it is a good thing that my tastes span nearly every genre. Still, I've always been extremely particular about how I read....

BATH BOOK

My bath book is usually contemplative fare...some non-fiction book that I read in hopes that some personal enlightenment will sink in while I soak. The thought of having an epiphany when I am nude and neck-deep in scented bubbles certainly appeals...but, alas, I'm still waiting. Most important batth book qualification? The book cannot be a real page-turner that will leave me shriveled like a raisin in a tub of cold water because I can't put it down. And while we are here in the bathroom, I want to be clear on one thing...I do NOT read on the john. Such a guy thing.

PURSE BOOK

The main characteristic of my purse book is that I not be ashamed to read it in public. This is the go-to book that I read in waiting rooms, lines and whenever I have a spare moment. No bodice-rippers or self-help books in this category...classic lit or anything by Stephen King works best. The book has to be something I've already read and loved, so that if I am distaracted by whatever I am ACTUALLY supposed to be doing, I won't loose momentum. After all, I know the plot already and re-read them for the nuances. (If "the devil is in the details" then Mr. King is Satan himself...I learn something about writing every time I read his books.) Plus I am still single and you can't beat the cred you get with guys by reading The Gunslinger or Desperation in public. Not so much with Bridges of Madison County, capiche?

Read-Aloud Books

I've been reading to my daughter Madison since she was in utero. We covered all my favorite classics while I was pregnant, like Wuthering Heights and 1984...as well as the ones I always meant to read, but never got around to, like the Lord of the Rings trilogy. 18 works of literature in all. As an unwed mother-to-be, I was sure to include The Scarlet Letter and Madame Bovary; I like to think that these early bonding sessions helped develop her vocabulary...and her sense of irony. Of course, once she was actually born, I tried to switch to more age-appropriate books, but she never lost a her taste for big words and complicated plots. I read all seven Harry Potter books out loud to her and the coolest thing about that was they brought us right through her childhood. She's almost 14 now and a fan of the Twilight series (HATES the movie!). The Twilight books are a perfect example of a series not appropriate for me to read to her...too much romance and mushy stuff. Still, we keep the tradition alive; we're about to embark on the Alice in Wonderland books in honor of the Tim Burton movie coming out.

Bed Books

I can read just about anywhere, but my favorite place to read is in bed. I'm actually incapable of falling asleep without reading first; sometimes I fall asleep with book in hand, other times I stay awake all night. Being super-comfortable and melting into a book is (unfortunately) my number one priority when I go to bed. Half of my ginormous King size bed is covered with unread and half-read books in every genre and my entire bedside table is absolutely stacked. Historical fiction, sci-fi, romance, chick-lit, cyber punk, biography, romance, classics, fantasy...well, I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea. I guess my piont is that while I might be single, I definitely don't sleep alone...I've got dozens of amazing authors just waiting for me to take a crack at them.

So what am I reading now? You'll never believe it, but I'm working my way through Amy Vanderbilt's Everyday Etiquette, circa 1962. Actually, its a darned good read...equal parts educational and amusing. I was going to put it up for sale in Comfuzzled, then started reading it and got hooked.

But that's a whole other blog...

Random Fan-dom - The First

In honor of Comfuzzled's fan page surpassing 200 fans, I thought I'd throw some fan love back out to the universe.

At least once a week, I will select one of my fans whose work (or posts) have caught my notice...and a couple random favs thrown in, too. The featured designer will not know they are the subject until I announce the blog post via my fan page. I'll definitely be keeping it random!

My first featured fan is someone who uses the power of Facebook for good...and by doing so, has inspired me to feats of Random Fan-dom. Shall we?

The Sales Faerie

The mythical "Sales Fairy" is frequently invoked on Etsy forum posts or fan page comments and her abscence often lamented. But this is one jewelry designer who has a knack for actually luring that elusive pixie...to other shops. Every time I check Facebook, Aereonyx Designs is supporting, promoting and praising her own fans. Whether drumming up fannage for a fellow Etsian's Fan Page or introducing new artists and artisans, she rarely gets around to promoting her own work. read what she says about her fellow etsians and there is no doubt that the level of customer service offered by Aereonyx Designs is absolutely stellar.

"Faerie Boutique" is the theme for Aereonyx's Etsy collection...each piece is rendered with that in mind. The designs are simple, the color combinations are stunning and each piece has just perfect touch of whimsy! For her beautiful earrings, every set of earwires is handcrafted and only the finest Swarovski crystals, Czech glass and beautiful pearls are used to complete each piece..."Semele's Swarovski Crystal Earrings" (pictured left) are a scrumptious example of this stunning work. I love the Changelings collection, which allows customer to select the

dangles for the earring and seperately order the handcrafted earwires (right) of their choice. Aereonyx Designs also welcomes custom orders.

My personal favorite, The Victorian Filigree Garnet & Czech Glass Necklace (below), features a pendant crafted of faceted lavender glass and set into a found Victorian brass filigree piece, dangling from a string of gorgeous garnets and glass beads...enchanting enough to hold sway over any passing faerie!

Take a few minutes to browse through Aereonyx.etsy.com ...leave a heart or two. Note the reasonable prices. Spend a moment with some of the descriptions, which are lush and a delight to read...the love that goes into her creations is obvious in every word. Most importantly, indulge yourself with whichever breathtaking piece happens to catches your eye.

Want to support the Sales Faerie? it pays to be an Aereonyx fan...Fan up at www.facebook.com/AereonyxDesigns. You can also follow her Blog and Twitter where she is still building her follower base.

Once Upon a Self

I'm always inspired by my fellow Etsians. But tonight, looking through my Favorites, I began to see a pattern...pieces that were strangely reminiscent of my past selves...and that inspired a trip down memory lane.

Once upon a time, my personal style was unique to me. I was never quite goth or hippie, punk or girl next

door, preppy or club kid. I did, however, liberally steal my favorite bits from each of these genres and create a look fo

r myself that was all...Juli.

In the mid-eighties I was probably the first girl in my 4,000 + student high school to have big black glasses, though by the time the glasses caught on, I had graduated to contact lenses. Despite all my exploits and achievements back in the day, I'm 37 and I still hear, "You went to GRHS...you had those black glasses!" Really.

Early 90's Los Angeles saw me working in a blues bar where I ended up being their theme-dressing mascot. I channeled my inner poet with a long, brocade vest over a ruffle-necked, puffed

sleeve blouse, shorts and riding boots. Then there was the "Huck Femme" get-up...straw hat and open-sided overall short

s with just a gingham bra and hotpants underneath and similar spins on Daisy from The Great Gatsby, and a 50's car hop. My look was more "high drama/low comedy" than high fashion, and I really had fun with it.

Even in Iraq I was known for my funky rain boots during mud season, hair worn long and very conspicuous in 110 + degree weather and my

"uniform" of jeans with lightweight, long sleeved shirts buttoned halfway over snug beater tanks. My "signature" piece was a big, floppy hat for long days in the sun at the helo-pad.

But now I'm back in the real world and I really haven't found my fashion niche. I'm pretty sure that shorts, t-shirts and flip flops don't count as a "look"...unless I'm in Margaritaville. So when it was time for my first job interview since getting back in the states, I had a tough time putting an outfit together.

I figure that once I catch my stride again, my fashion sense will catch back up with me. Hopefully. I'm thinking maybe retro-50's housewife-glam? A husband would be a great accessory to that look...hmmm...

Give 'em some LOVE!

My fashion past, reincarnated. From top: "Long Fu--king Hair" - Painted Earrings by JMTolman...full of fun&funky, wearable art...love the shop tagline, too! ; 1980's Silhouette Fuschia & Black Eyeglass Frames by Chigal...better than plain black glasses! This shop has a fabulous selection of retro frames; Golden Drops Crochet Choker by AmiKami...utterly romantic crochete pieces...poet blouse not included!; "Garden Floral" Wide Brim Sun Hat by NadineNewYork...would've loved this in Bagdad...this shop is full of fabulous handmade accessories to crave.

Madly Missing Mad

It's late and I miss my daughter, Maddi, who is in Ohio visiting relatives with my mom. I imagine she is struggling valiantly with no computer access (poor dear)...but that's a whole 'nother blog.

At any rate, without her here to protest or able to get online there, I thought this would be a great time to introduce you all to my Maddi! Sure, she'll eventually see this post, but for now we're in the clear.

Maddi is hilarious and super-smart...with an awesome sense of self and a caring heart. (Didn't mean for that to rhyme...honest!) Plus she takes out the trash, cleans the bathroom and

empties the dishwasher...whadda gal!

She has a unique sense of style and definitely dances to her own backbeat. No marching to a drum for her. If life is a potluck, Maddi always brings a side of drama! Seriously, I love the fact that she isn't a follower and takes pride in not being normal. The two of us have our own family motto:

"We might be weird, but at least we aren't boring"

Mad is also a great artist like her uncle, though thankfully not as macabre...and a wonderful poet. Maybe sometime she'll allow me to post some of her work...but at 13.5 years old, she can be private about her creative side.

She'll be top dog at middle school next year...8th grade! They've "outlawed" hugging at her school...quite an injustice for a girl who has been referred to as a Hugging Machine since she was a baby. So that is her cause celebre and she plans to effect some change in that regard. Watch out middle school, she's got a slogan..."Hugging is not a Crime!"

Happy Monday!!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can

I loved Watty Piper's The Little Engine That Could when I was growing up; I'm pretty sure it changed the course of my life. When others thought I couldn't (or shouldn't) do something, I've always been able to believe that I could, no matter what the odds. Or the consequences.

And, oh, the things I've done...

Skip college? Check.

Take a Greyhound to Hollywood at nineteen with nothing but 60 bucks and a dream? Cliche, but true.

Become pregnant and choose to be a single mother at age 24? Wholeheartedly, yes.

Attend the '04 Berlinale (Berlin Film Festival) as an accredited industry professional? Absolutely.

Quit a two pack-a-day, 17 year smoking habit cold turkey? Yep.

Take a job in Iraq away from my daughter for months at a time, without really knowing what that job would be? Roger that.

Mostly, I've done what seemed fun or right or opportune at the time...and I've tried to cultivate this particular brand of fearlessness in my daughter. There have definitely been some hairy moments where I was sure I'd made the wrong decision, but I've also gotten to travel the world, walk a few red carpets, take Black Hawk helicopters on business trips and best of all, feel like the luckiest mom on earth with the most amazing daughter EVER. The universe always seems to even things out.

So what, if I never "made it" as an actress? The two years I spent in Los Angeles trying taught me more than 4 years of college ever could. I can always go back to school.

The Berlin Film Festival didn't launch my screenwriting career, but I got to attend world premiers and see a horde of amazing films with a really great friend. Besides, the cigarette habit I kicked right after Berlin was immediately replaced by a 4-year case of writer's block.

My job in Iraq was a godsend financially and professionally...but while I was gone, my little girl became a young woman. I'm still trying to catch up.

All in all, I'd say that the lesson I took from Mr. Piper's parable so long ago has certainly stood me in good stead. Of course, I read the Little Engine That Could to my daughter, just like my mom read it to me.

When I came accross this old edition of the book, I knew I had to have it for Comfuzzled. But as I looked through the pages at the familiar pictures, I realized my "engine that could" attitude had started losing some of its steam. That hill seems a little too high sometimes and the load just a tad on the heavy side. I used to love not knowing what was around the corner, but now I'm not sure about reaching he next peak. What if I don't like the looks of the valley below?

And then I see my daughter charging headlong into the unknown, going after what she wants from life and never doubting that things will go her way. I remember again what that knowing felt like, and I am inspired.

She might as well be shoveling coal into my engine.

NTR - Make My Day

NTR (Nothing To Report) In theory, this acronym is used when nothing of note has occurred during the time period in question. It is used in SitReps...concise daily reports.

I learned in Iraq that NTR also means there probably were plenty of things to report (evacuations, bunker time, employee altercations) but it would take way too long to do so. Usually, the person sending the report types with one finger, maybe two. For whatever reason, if said person did, in fact, report everything of note then they wouldn't get to the DFAC (Dining FACility) before it closed...which would mean ramen noodles back in their hootch. Again. Whatever might have happened will wait until the next day, when said person will undoubtedly claim extenuating circumstances...or just plain play dumb.

My usage of NTR in this blog will fall somewhere in between these two definitions. I thought

today would be as good a day as any to break it in. Here goes, in true SitRep style -

• Woke early, went to Post Office; mailed silver coasters to a new Comfuzzled customer, picked up registered mail from Israel (my fabulous new Luckxury amulet bracelet from RedBracelet.)

• Went to Dad's, cooked brunch
• Ran errands in the rain
• Had a great dinner with my dad and brother
• Missed my daughter Maddi and my Mom
• Launched this blog; got 16 followers (thanks!).

I guess there were some things to report, after all. Maybe not stop-the-presses, front page news, but some good things nonetheless. No bad news, at least.

Just all the little things we sometimes think are insignifigant, but which end up...well...making our day.

Stein-in-Hand

I'm no stein specialist and I couldn't tell you what makes a stein collectible. But even I could tell this one was different...nothing like the requisite pewter-topped steins that tend to depict everything from Bavarian scenes to

fighter jets. I'm pretty sure that those steins are a NATO-required purchase for all military personnel stationed in Germany; even my non-drinking parents had a couple of them on the mantle.

Despite my lifelong aversion to tacky German steinage, I found myself inexplicably drawn to this one. I'd never seen one like it. It was old and had an eyecatching pattern that I loved, with a German phrase I couldn't understand.

But mostly it reminded me of my earliest encounter with beer, way back when I was ten years old.

We were living in Cold War Germany...a strange, strange time and place, indeed. Especially strange for a girl (like me) who had lived the last seven years in Miami, gone to private school at a Baptist church...and never seen a beer before. I could have sucked all that "strange" down with a straw.

The small village we lived in held a fest shortly after we moved there. In the spirit of "adventure abroad" our family of four made an evening of it. Mom and Dad were very into what the kids today call "cultural immersion"...regardless of how badly we stuck out.

The fest felt to me like all the townsfolk had gathered every bit of their "strange" and put it on parade just for us. Beer-fueled oompah music was jovial but a little jarring, as if the damp air was the only thing making it slightly discordant. The chilled, wet cobblestone smell we had finally grown used to was now laced with the sweet scent of lager and the wonderful tang of wursts.

There were no carnival rides, but there were booths featuring tests of skill. My attention was immediately drawn to one booth and one booth only.

The crossbow-shooting booth.

Despite being an American, I'd never shot anything in the entire decade I'd walked the earth. Yet for some reason, I was enthralled. The man working the booth didn't speak any English. He got a crate for me to stand on and made a big production of demonstrating and gesturing, until I understood I needed to line the tiny notch up with the target.

Our antics had drawn a crowd that was now waiting to see what I was going to bring. Finally, there was no reason to wait...I lined up my shot and took it.

A cheer went up. By the time I realized that I'd hit the bullseye, there was an overflowing stein of beer sliding my way down the counter, leaving a tail of foam. It stopped right in my hand, sloshing over just a little bit. I felt like Snoopy, perfectly palming a rootbeer the barkeep slid his way. I'd won my very first beer. It was definitely a moment.

And...the moment passed. Mom and Dad exchanged my beer for some less intoxicating chocolate. Sure, it was the right thing to do, but it sort of made the whole "heady moment of victory" thing fizzle out for me.

I never picked up a crossbow again, and for some reason I never made another bullseye in anything...not even beer pong. From time to time I've wished that we'd swapped the beer for the stein itself; Dad always said that the best souvenirs are the ones money can't buy.

So, I'm glad this stein found me so that I can find a new home for it. The German phrase makes it the perfect addition to my Comfuzzled collection. Roughly translated:

"The noble barley juice gives strength to the young, vigor to the old."

Ya think?