Julie/Julia

Well, I finished reading a book called Julie & Julia; My Year of Cooking Dangerously on Monday. When I first picked it up a few weeks ago, I have to tell you that I truly did not think I could like the author. In the first few pages she told of how she had harvested her eggs (and she don't live on a chicken farm people) for profit. Well, not for profit really - she was having financial difficulties and this was a way of getting out of debt. Now what this could possibly have to do with the topic of her book, I could not have told you. The book is about how she spent a year cooking her way thru Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking - Volume One. What do you know though - when I closed the book on the final passage I was so sad. I felt like I was closing the door on a great friendship. I like her - I really like her. She is kooky, nutty, a little self involved, but I really liked her. And now - just a few days later, I think I miss her.

Is it possible to feel a connection with someone that you have never met? Am I insane? I'm not a stalker or anything - but I actually went on line to see to see if she still blogs (she kept a blog throughout the year of her project). Which brings me to how I ended up here - with a blog of my own.

So anyway, I loved the book. If you have the opportunity it is a fun read. And now here I am with a blog of my own - thanks Julie...

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

In this day of everyone being so very PC, why is respect going down the tube? No matter where you go these days, someone is being loud, rude or juvenile. There seems to be a bit of a turnaround with the little one s right now, but preteens of this day and age - in general - aren't being raised to be respectful. They talk back, they push and shove, and they rarely offer their seat to the elderly, handicapped, or pregnant on the bus or metro/subway. Even the older among us seems to go be the "Keep your head down and you won't have to deal with it" rule of thumb. People scoot thru the door you are holding open without even a nod of thanks, as if they deserve it and you should be honoured to be standing there just for them. I always say your welcome to their backs and the reaction - without fail - is always one of embarrassment. They know that it isn't proper, but have to be reminded. Are we so wrapped up in our little lives that we cannot be nice anymore?

I myself am on a crusade - when I get on the bus in the morning I always say good morning to the driver, and thank you if I exit by the front door. I smile at people if they are looking at me and say hello, and I try to be pleasant to everyone unless they've really pissed me off. I talk to service people in the shops, and I love it when they recognize me the next time they serve me. You really do reap what you sow, and sometimes it comes back to you tenfold.

Well - that's my first ever entry to my blog. Is there anybody out there