This is a check-in for those of you who think I've abandoned the blog for FB. Not a chance, but these are busy times. The black walnut keeps dumping dead leaves on the deck, which need daily sweeping so we don't break an ankle during the late-night trips to the hot tub, we just hosted the US part of the clan for the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, which included two dinners and a trip to see the salmon spawning run, and I am doing my usual paperwork drowning at school, catching up after a month of baseball and a successful Terry Fox cancer run in which we raised over $1200.
I can barely find the time to finish a memoir I am quite interested in, namely that of Vanity Fair writer/journalist/bon vivant Christopher Hitchens. He has led quite a fascinating life, one I had considered (well, not his life, but that of a journalist) before diverting into teaching. I don't think I'd have ended up having the courage for what a lot of reporters do, although some might think standing up in front of 10-year olds is a whole different level of bravery.
Hitchens is a wonderfully colourful writer, and his turn of phrases amuse me to no end. His descriptions of English boarding schools are realistically horrific, although he doesn't seem to have taken the ritualistic abuse to heart. I laughed at his anecdote about Bill Clinton's Oxford days- yes, ladies and gentlemen, he did not inhale- allergic to smoke, he took his dope in cookie form. Ah, that Bill, always a precise use of words. It makes "I did not have sex with that woman" so much clearer now, no?
I am about 100 pages away from the end, with 6 days before the public library system issues me my first fine, and can't renew the book because a long list of readers stands behind me ready to take Hitch in. I have so much work to do, too many distractions (5 people playing Scrabble-like games on FB and my new, superfluous iPhone) and yet I want to just snuggle up and read more stories from the trenches. The sad part too is that Christopher is dying of esophagus cancer, and all I remember from the news media lately is that he wishes those praying for his salvaged soul would use their energy for better things. Something tells me this famous atheist is not going quietly into that good night.
12 comments:
Hi Anne Marie,
You are a busy bee. Fantastic funds raised!
Don't want you guys breaking an ankle on the way to relaxation, that would put a damper on it ;).
xx
Nice review - snuggling up with a book sounds great, it's definitely autumn here!
Hm... which reminds me that I've several books waiting for that snuggling up. A VERY tempting idea now that winter is coming closer and closer.
This book sounds like something I want to pick up, yep.
Hi Anne Marie, this is a great review, and yes, I know how it feels wanting to snuggle up in the warm with a good book. I am so off FB at the moment I really don't know what to do with it, and even blogging feels an effort, but I love it still. Just one of those spells.
Hope you get to finish your book dear, and I would so love to come and join you in the wonderful cozy cameraderie of reading. xxx
Anne-Marie, your way with words is wonderful!
I am, at once, respectful of your knowledge and candor, and reduced to giggles by your humour.
You have piqued my interest, so I will follow up on C Hitchens.
And you are also a brave soul to face the new generation.
xx
Hi everyone,
I decided last night to leave the schoolbag and all its intended work at the foot of the stairs, make myself a lovely cup of flavoured coffee, and just read. I finished the book and had a night free of tv and other distractions (well, except for the scrabble games that beep on the iPhone and computer, but those are brain food). One last impression of the book- there are rare mentions of his children, though when they appear you can read the affection he has for them, and no mention of two wives (no criticisms either, I might point out). Interesting omissions, although those things don't necessarily fascinate me about public figures, and in this case, did not take anything away from the book.
I absolutely love listening to Chris Hitchens. Sadly, and for now obvious health reasons, he doesn't crop up so much on late night review shows as he used to in the UK.
I don't always have to agree with him. But I have to know someone out there can express themselves with such engaging clarity as he does through the small screen.
(PS: I deleted the above due to a small typo. I figure Hitchens is worth that token of respect).
Definitely, I'll miss him. There was some recent footage of him remarking at first about the book you're reading and then leading into his illness and life and death and no-god, with Martin Amis.
good PR and still you are ONE BUSY WOMAN! You would have made a fab journalist, too.
-gina
Ian, if you're going to delete over a small typo out of respect, I needed to adjust my post title out of the same respect. Hitch is a fine nickname, but Mr. Hitchens does not like to be called Chris, so I changed my title to reflect that. I really do hope he pulls through, because I love listening to him whether I agree with him or not, but the odds are quite against that happening, sadly. I suppose, much like when I get into these moods when I need to see and hear Freddie Mercury, there will always be Youtube. Not the same, but better than nothing.
Gina, thanks for the compliment, I think I would have enjoyed a journalistic career too. Perhaps when I retire from this one...
Good for you, for 'dropping it all' and taking the time to relax and finish your reading :)
So glad you managed to finish it Anne Marie, and I so agree with Gina. You would have made a great journalist!
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