Greetings From Houston

Hi Ladies,

As November's book club approaches, I am sad to be missing an event that was such a wonderful part of my life in Washington. At the same time, I've been enjoying settling into a new life in Houston, where I hope to find a group to continue the glorious book and wine tradition. Our meetings were something I looked forward to every month.

But life goes on, and happily. Damon and I our welcoming a dog into our apartment tomorrow - a 3 yr old cockapoo we found at a shelter just outside of Houston - who we've tentatively named Henry. I've been enjoying my month off before I head back to work - stopping by Target regularly because I always forget something, marveling at the 75 degree weather and sampling all kinds of Texas BBQ. I'm also trying to read some. I'm alternating at a snail's pace between Thomas Friedman's Hot, Flat and Crowded (Jessica - I'd be interested to hear your thoughts; my mom raved about it, but I'm much much much more circumspect), The Mystery of Capital by Hernando DeSoto (a fascinating read for anyone interested in property rights and how they are integral to the foundation of capitalism and the developed world), and Suite Francaise.

My best to everyone, and welcome back Ann-Robin! I am sad I didn't have the opportunity to say goodbye. You set the standard for hostessing with that first book club, and I will forever be in awe. :) Happy November!

As Gossip Girl would say . . .

XOXO,
Emily

Free Dunkin Donuts

Emily Post Biography

Check out this review of the Emily Post biography by Laura Claridge in Slate, here.   I submit this for consideration for our next book club!

Twilight Series

Perhaps the first "from the road post?"  I am in Sioux City, Iowa (working on an unnamed campaign).  I just have to tell you that I have torn through the first three books in the Twilight series (yes, the vampire series...soon to be a major motion picture!), thanks Emily for including the first book in your white elephant book game!  If you are looking for anything to read (besides November's book) I would recommend them.  Luckily there is a Barnes and Nobles across the street from the campaign office, so I am going to run over there tonight at grab the final book in the series.    

Oh, and remember to vote on Tuesday, November 4th.  R, D, I, G, or L, just get out and be a part of the process.  

Read, Drink, Eat: Quotes to Know Us By

1. "It's like porn to me." - Emily (in reference to Garner's Modern American Usage)
2. "I've loved you since you used 'vapid' in a sentence." - Unknown (I forgot to write down the name of the lady who professed this and to whom she was referring)
3. "Do you see how all of our least-liked English words have a common theme?" - Corinne (referring to the somewhat sexual nature of our list of most disliked words)

Kindle Me a Story

Per a side conversation Emily and I had, I did want to make sure you all have seen this, the Amazon Kindle. It is SO SO cool. Two weeks ago I was home in California and my Mom couldn't stop from following me into the bathroom to show me her new toy, TMI? So, if any of you are putting together your wish list for the upcoming holiday's, check it out.

P.S. My Mom is coming to D.C. for Thanksgiving, I know she would be happy to give a short tutorial. After all she is a librarian.

Happy Friday!

Wait, I am Not The Center of the Universe? Crap.

I realized that last night that it has almost been one-year since I was invited to join this group of women. I still haven't asked Corrine why she thought me of all people would be a welcome addition (less she realize what a horrible decision she made) but I have instead truly treasured the monthly meetings and interacting with a fabulous group of women, bright D.C./VA professionals that truly inspire. Alright enough kissing butt. Last night, Ana did mention the lack of postings on the blog and while I often check-in, I have only posted once. AND she also mentioned that she had recently posted a commencement speech DFW gave in 2005 and so I am sitting here reading yet another example of why a world without DFW is just going to be a little bit more boring.

The commencement address is full of plenty of things that I had to re-read twice, use a dictionary to look-up words and then still, call my Mom to ask what he said. However, there was this:

"learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed."

Last night as we talked about DFW and the tragedy of his death, we all commented how unimaginable it must be to always be going, to not have "control over how and what you think," and to find yourself in such a state of desperation that you take your own life. It is sad that a man who was able to give excellent advice, perhaps due to his own experience, was unable to apply it to his own.

And much like his stories, the ending was phenomenal:

"It is about the real value of a real education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over:

"This is water."
"This is water."

It is unimaginably hard to do this, to stay conscious and alive in the adult world day in and day out. Which means yet another grand cliché turns out to be true: your education really IS the job of a lifetime.

And it commences: now.

I wish you way more than luck. "

So, how do I start? Being more aware?

Consider DFW

If you have finished Consider the Lobster and cannot get enough of David Foster Wallace, here is a transcript of DFW's graduation commencement speech at Kenyon College. My brother sent this to me after his death, and I wanted to share.

In our element!

Go, little book, and wish to all

Flowers in the garden, meat in the hall,

A bin of wine, a spice of wit,

A house with lawns enclosing it,

A living river by the door,

A nightingale in the sycamore!

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)Underwoods, I. 1, 'Envoy'

Trying to find the Lobster!

Trying to track down our book club book, Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace has consumed my morning. Since EBA, our gracious hostess, has chosen such a timely book, (given the authors recent death,) many other in-the-know readers have also jumped on the bandwagon. It has made trying to find the book quite a challenge.

So, for all of you who haven't purchased or ordered the book yet-- don't bother checking with any of the Borders, Barnes and Noble, B. Dalton and Olson's book stores in a 50 mile radius. (RKR and I pretty much called everyone this morning.) And make sure to check with Amazon's shipping date of 1-3 weeks, I can't wait that long. If you haven't had a problem-- please tell me your secret.

Kay Graham/41 Photos at the Corcoran

This photo caught my eye today in the Washington Post. But I was even more intrigued when he critiques the juxtapostition of Katharine Graham's photo. I think we should go see this exhibit at the Corcoran.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/15/AR2008091502769.html

Thought-provoking bumber sticker

I saw this bumper sticker while driving to work today: "Everywhere you go, there you are." Thoughts?

CEH

Do you go out on U Street or in Georgetown?

Straight from W Magazine -- the "going out" scene in Washington DC.

Things I Love (www.)

Today has just been one of those days. I find myself surfing the web, trying to find things that amuse or distract me from the moutain of work piling up on my desk. So, I thought I would share my favorite places on the world wide web:

1. PerezHilton.com- it is my morning coffee! I read this before anything else when I roll into the office!
2. Metrocurean- D.C. has some great D.C. specific blogs, this one is all about D.C. restaurants/food. Earlier this year, I was featured in their weekly Five Bites column :)
3. Mccainblogette.com- Meghan McCain just makes me laugh. I love her latest posting from Sturgis and the fact that she proudly posts photos of her enjoying a bud light!
4. omnivoracious.com- this is a new favorite. I love, love to read and while there are tons of blogs about books, I enjoy this one. It reminds me of a t-shirt that I once saw, "people think I am nymphomaniac, but I rather enjoy a good book."- Madonna
5. StayClassy- My childhood friend Lauren is the lead evening anchor for the ABC affiliate in Lincoln, Nebraska...yes, Nebraska. She started this blog when she was on maternity leave (her station asked her too) and has continued it, long after returning to work. Since we are far away, it is a great way to keep up with her busy life and see photos of Brady. Plus, Lauren and her husband Paul are probably the two funniest people I know.

The Ending

I just finished Loving Frank and the end completely shocked me! Of course I won't give it away but it turned out to be unusually surprising. Anybody have any thoughts on the book?

Beautiful People?

I don't really have anything to say about this, but wanted to share nonetheless. Check out The Hill's 50 Most Beautiful People 2008.

Quote I Love

I came across this quote today and it made me think back to our Eat, Pray, Love days...enjoy!

So many people live with unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each new day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear crazy. But once you have become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and incredible beauty." - Alexander Supertramp, aka Chris McCandless

Love Loving Frank

Hi ladies,

I'm soo sad that I missed the last meeting but I was so excited to hear from you while you were laying by the pool. Has anyone started Loving Frank? I'm obsessed with it and can't wait to discuss! This quote keeps getting me "I have been standing on the side of life, watching it float by. I want to swim in the river. I want to feel the current." I also will be asking you what your thoughts are on Frank's inscription above his fireplace, "Life is truth" so stay tuned :)

CEH

About Frank

Here's a little tribute to our next book-- including some facts about Frank Lloyd Wright.

FLW promoted organic architecture, which is said to be most evident in the house, Fallingwaters in Pennsylvania.

Taliesin, the name of FLW and Mamah's home in Spring Green, WI, means "radiant brow" or "shining brow" in Welch.

FLW was born June 8, 1867 in Richland Center, Wisconsin. And he passed away April 9, 1959.

FLW was originally named Frank Lincoln Wright and changed his middle name to Lloyd after his parents' divorce. He chose the name Lloyd after his mothers Welch immigrant heritage.

FLW designed the Guggenheim in NYC.

Here's a New York Times review of the book, Loving Frank.

Frand Lloyd Wright

Fallingwaters

Taliesin

What is your favorite FLW home?

words of wisdom and other funny things

Happy Monday! Here are a few unforgettable words of wisdom and funny thoughts shared during one of our last meetings.


"We'll work for wine"

"Just remember-- don't put all of your eggs in the passion basket"

"Visually classy-- personally sassy"

"Not so sassy or classy but kind of trashy"

"I need someone to listen to me!"

Who said these? Take a guess.

Project Runway watch out...

We have a fashion designer in our midst. In honor of Project Runway beginning it's new season, and because we love shopping, let's support a local fashion designer.


Rochelle Behrens says she launched her line to "simplify dressing in the morning." And we all know what a challenge getting dressed in the morning can be! I'm going for stylish and classy yet professional. What's your style?


Rochelle is hosting a summer sample sale, Wednesday, July 30. Let her know if you can make it. Thanks to Rachel for sharing this fun event.

Articles: Georgetown Ladies

I wanted to record two articles that directly related to the book Georgetown Ladies Social Club. This NYT article written in November 2007, called Tightening the Beltway, The Elite Shop at Costco, profiles one of the original members of the GLSC. Although times have changed, Sally Quinn is keeping Georgetown entertaining alive by changing with the times. She shops at Costco!

Here is a more recent article in the August 2008 issue of Conde Nast Portfolio, The Last Media Tycoon. The Washington Post dynasty is kept alive by Katherine Graham's grand daughter, Katherine Weymouth. Check out her gorgeous orange dress in the photo.

Sienna Millers recent antics...

So I'm a little embarassed for this to be my first post, but I was just perusing my regular blogs and came upon this...

http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com/archive/2008/07/15/the_ultimate_sienna_miller_balthazar_getty_topless_megagallery.php

I think I'm kind of traumatized by the actions of my favorite celeb ever, Sienna Miller - she was caught (and not just caught but literally photographed numerous times) hooking up with a married man and father of 4 kids...

let's get it started!

I really had grand plans about writing a welcome post. The initial posts became too mushy and sentimental-- and neither mush nor sentiment is reason for this blog. So as I sit here for the 30th time staring at the computer screen trying to decide what to post, I remembered the Nike slogan-- Just do it! (I have blog posting anxiety.)

I really hope this first post is the hardest part. And hope you will all join in. Share an interesting article either relating to our books (past, present or future), an article about men (because we love them so much), how about some celebrity gossip (do you know the names of Angelina's new babies?) Or, even share a fun story about your Friday night out on the town.

First off, I would like to share the Washington Post series about Chandra Levy. It is day two in the multi-part series and I can't wait to read more tomorrow. Chandra grew up about an hour from Sacramento (my home town) and I remember the news coverage from eight years ago, like it was yesterday.

And to make our first official announcement on the blog-- We will be reading Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan. Click here to order your book on Amazon.