Sydney's comments (member since Apr 20, 2008)

Sydney's comments from the Chicks On Lit group.

Thank goodness two other people mentioned reading in the "loo." I was beginning to feel like a freak. It's the only room in the house where I can get complete peace and quiet!

Congratulations Tera! I know so many people who are pregnant right now! (Myself included!) I'm due in December. I was actually pulling for the name Jane if we were having a girl... but we found out we're having another boy. Still exciting, but we're stumped for names.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy pregnancy!

Hugs to you! Glad you're doing better. BTW... the song you're thinking of is "Alive" by Pearl Jam. It's one of my faves!

I have more than 500 book on my "to read" list! It used to intimidate me but not so much anymore. I only own about 50 of those books. I add books as I see other people's reviews. I (like Jo) also go through and purge some books from the list periodically.

for me it depends on the book. I've read some pretty bad books to the bitter end. I gave up on a true crime book last year after 100 pages. It just bored the living daylights out of me. I feel okay about giving it 100 pages... sometimes I've found the first 50 pages of a book dull, then all of the sudden the story picks up.

Hi ladies... I've been a bit MIA lately. I've finally added the Bunk chick icon to my blog. I'm a little behind in this thread... not sure what the loop is or how to get into it. My blog is

http://diapers-and-deadlines.blogspot.co...

I try to pop in to everyone's blogs when I have time (usually once a week). I don't always comment, but will try to be better about it.

Q: How many women have life-long friends that are participating in this discussion?
Why is this friendship lasting? Why was the friendship between snow flower and her best friend lasting?

I have a friend I've been best friends with since we were 5. There was a period in junior high and early high school where we drifted apart, mainly because I went through a mean girl phase of wanting to be popular. She forgave me, and we grew closer during our junior and senior year... and all through college. She knows almost all my secrets, and vice versa. I tell her things I wouldn't dream of telling anyone else, because we have 30+ years of trust between us. There is just something comforting in a friendship that lasts that long. You almost develop a shorthand... I think that's what made the relationship between Snow Flower and Lily last. They shared a bond that even a huge fight and painful words couldn't break.

A true friend is someone who knows all your faults and loves you anyway. That's the way my best friend and I are.

Here's my take on this book. Rachel doesn't know how to ask for or get what she wants, because it doesn't come naturally to her. She doesn't see herself as someone who deserves to get exactly what she wants. She sees Darcy as the person with the perfect life who always gets what she wants.

I think Rachel always had feelings for Dex, she just didn't know how to act on them. She always did the right thing, and lusting after your best friends guy is not exactly the right thing. She got caught up in the moment the night of her birthday party, and finally gave in to feelings she knew she had all along. I don't think her initial intention was to do something to hurt Darcy. I certainly don't see revenge playing a roll in it at all.

Rachel and Dex obviously have more than just fleeting feelings of lust for each other. Otherwise it would have ended much differently. I think they were both so caught up in Darcy-land that they couldn't figure out how to get out of her grip. Yes, breaking up your best friend's relationship is awful and likely unforgiveable. But Darcy cheated too.. with someone she was trying set Rachel up with!!! Doesn't make it right, I guess it just makes it a little less awful.

As for the friendship between Rachel and Darcy... it's complicated to say the least. I never had a friendship with that dynamic. But I can sympathize with Rachel. And someone further up said "I don't know how someone could be that awful to you for that long and you would still want to be friends with them." I think in Rachel's mind, her friendship with Darcy was better than no friends at all. The only other real friend Rachel has is Hillary. I think Rachel didn't know who else to turn to, and felt loyal to Darcy, that's why she overlooked so many of the things that happened in the past.

When I was in junior high, I was really awful to a friend of mine -- someone I had been friends with since kindergarten. I went through a "mean girl" phase. I got over it during my freshman year, and thank GOD my friend forgave me. I said and did some awful things to her that I still feel an enormous amount of guilt about. But somehow, she forgave me. To this day she is one of my best friends, and I would honestly say I'm closer to her than I am to my own sister. That story may seem random, but I'm hoping it gives some insight into the complexities of friendship.

I think the author did a great job of giving each of the characters layers... and of revealing those layers slowly... in a way that made you want to keep turning the pages. I'm excited to read "Something Blue."

I have the Cake Mix Doctor. I love that cookbook. Honestly my favorite cookbooks are one's put together by ladies auxillaries from churches, especially small towns. I think the cookbook I use most often is the one put together by the ladies auxillary of the voluteer fire dept. in the town where my husband grew up. It's got real recipes that real people have passed on through generations. There are stains all over this book because I use it so often! I was also fortunate enough to add a couple of my own favorite recipes to it.

Other than that, the good old Betty Crocker cookbook has saved by butt numerous times! :-)

Okay... shoes and music.

Music - I like to rock out. Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Rolling Stones, U2, etc.

I also like music with a good beat. Erasure is really good to run to. Madonna. Ricky Martin. I don't generally gravitate to that music (I'm more into rock/alternative) but it's got a good beat to help you keep pace. I have one playlist on my blog I think. If I get more playlists posted, I'll put the links in here.

As for shoes... I guess I'm cheap. I can't justify spending more than $100 on a pair of running shoes, especially when you're supposed to replace them every 3-4 months or however many miles. I tend to get whatever is comfortable and on sale. I think the most expensive pair I have cost me $60... I got them at a department store. I don't have one brand that I gravitate toward. I've run in Addidas, Nike, Asics, New Balance. My running partner swears by Saucony.

The only thing I know about marathon training is - GET HELP! Talk to someone who's done it before, join a running club, get a personal trainer. It is hard work. You have to do it gradually... like a previous poster said... you have to slowly build your distance before you even train. You could seriously get hurt.

My favorite websites are: www.breakingthetape.com - you can track your workouts and mileage here.
runnersworld.com
coolrunning.com
running.about.com/ - this has some GREAT advice if you're just getting started. Makes things nice and simple.

I agree with Jo and with Wanda's idea.
I want to start reading monthly selection, but it's almost impossible to keep up with the discussions with so many people reading the books ahead. I think it's GREAT that people are so eager to read the books, but it's also a little intimidating. I wanted to read Edgar Sawtelle, but by the time I got my hands on the book... the discussion was already well under way.

I also think we should not pick books so far out in advance. That too is a little overwhelming. I get that people like to map out what they read in advance, but I think this is also contributing to the books being "all discussed out" before the month is even started.

Hi Kat! I took up running last year. There are a few things that keep me motivated:
- the way I feel when I'm done with a run
- the feeling of accomplishment

Music has really been key in my being able to stick with it. I found some great songs to run to by artists that I like. That really helps.

Also... start gradually. You said you're walking 2 miles a night... try running at intervals. Walk for 5 minutes to warm up. Run five minutes, then walk five.
Gradually lengthen the amount your running. Another good trick with running outside is to set mini goals for yourself. "I'll run to the next stop sign" or "I'll run 4 blocks." etc. Just start nice and easy.

Kelly Jo - That would be great!!! I will definitely let you know!

I am working on "Mansfield Park." I majored in English in college and for some reason I had it in my head that I didn't read this one. But it turns out I did! I even have notes throughout the book to prove it. It must be "Persuasion" and "Northanger Abbey" that I didn't read. So I'm going to pick one of those for later this summer.

To those of you who are interested, I recently relaunched my no-holds-barred, no family allowed, semi-anonymous blog, called "Sassy Manifesto." You must be invited to view it, but any of you are welcome to check it out. Just message me your email address and I'll send you an invite.

I nominate "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin. This book was published around the turn of the century (1900s). It is one of the earliest examples of pre-feminist literature. I read it in college, and admittedly that's been awhile. But I think this would be a good addition to the list.

Congrats! Enjoy every minute of it!

I would have completely freaked out. I got spooked by an oppossum one night that was hanging around by my car... I probably would have fainted if I saw a bear.

good to know! Thanks!

Do you want just books, or stuffed animals, too?