Odd Obsession

I'm always a little bummed out by those books and web sites that tell you about etiquette in other countries, because it reminds me that there are places where my kind is not wanted. Oh, I could try to "pass", but it would be like having my hand tied behind my back. Literally . I love this quote: In fact, even using your left hand to gesture or wave is simply not done. This is not due to any sort of discrimination against left-handed people. It's actually based on the general lack of toilet paper throughout the region and the normal method of cleaning oneself after certain bathroom functions! Oh, it's not prejudice, so if I tell them I wash my hands a lot (and some righties from the US and Europe are not so clean by their standards), they will understand and stop trying to suppress my natural movements, because it's totally rational. It's silly to pretend that every country doesn't have prejudices and irrational rules, it's not like the US and

Another meme rears its ugly head: Here are the rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. They don't have to be the greatest books you've ever read, just the ones that stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Copy these instructions and tag 15 ( or more) friends, including me - because I'm interested in seeing what books are in your head. I went with the instructions and tried not to think about it too much. I was surprised it was mostly female authors, but I guess I just relate to smart, snarky women who don't censor themselves for some reason. Oz also has a lot of badass women for a turn-of-the-century childrens' book series. Loving is just hard to describe. Nobody describes daily life like Green, the way you're always afraid you're a total fake and someday people will catch you at it, but meanwhile things aren't too bad. Some of you may know how I

I will not be happy if I don't see Blood: The Last Vampire in theaters this summer because Landmark is too busy with exotic arty fare like The Hangover and Bruno . I mean, who pays more money to sit in uncomfortable seats at the Lagoon for a mainstream flick when they can enjoy comfy stadium seating and actual matinee prices. My sweetie's theory is that Landmark is going for the frat boy audience that takes the bus over to Uptown so they can get trashed at William's Pub later. But Blood is mostly in English and has a kung-fu schoolgirl killing vampires with a katana, it's hardly Matthew Barney . I can only hope Parkway or Riverview will pick up the slack like the latter did with Let the Right One In .