It's been a few months since I've talked about the books I've been reading, and I've read some great ones lately so I thought I'd share.

West of Here by Jonathan Evison

I chose this book because it's historical fiction that takes place here in Washington, over on the Olympic Peninsula. It's the story of a fictional town (but is loosely based on Port Angeles), alternating between the town's early beginnings and present day. I wasn't totally in love with it, but enjoyed it because of the local flair and history. Evison's writing style was appealing to me, too, so I'd love to read more of his work.






Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

I gave this book a pretty simple review on Goodreads after I had finished it:

"Absolutely delightful! One of the most enjoyable books I've read in a while."

It's about a young, unemployed man who takes a job in a 24-hour bookstore after leaving the dot com world. I was hooked after the first few pages and loved it right up to the very end. It's a wonderful mix of current technology and old world romanticism. The characters are fun and the story moves quickly. Definitely recommend!



Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple


I completely adored this book! It's super quirky and full of dark humor. It follows Bernadette's daughter and husband as they investigate Bernadette's sudden disappearance (but not at all in the same way as Gone Girl).

It takes place in Seattle (mostly) and I love all the references to the city's neighborhoods, Microsoft, and the culture of Seattle in general. I also have a strong urge to visit Antarctica after reading it - if you've read it, you'll know what I mean. 






The Holden Age of Hollywood by Phil Brody


I've always had a fascination with Hollywood and this book got right into the underbelly of the movie industry. It's a story of a notoriously reclusive screenwriter and a young man on a quest to find him. It's filled with mystery, vengeance, and romance.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I got it for $0.99 or something like that and it remained in my Kindle library for a long time before I tackled it. I'm so glad I finally read it because I absolutely loved it. 













I can't believe it took me this long to read this book. Most everyone I know has read it at least once and I don't think I've ever heard a bad review. It's a classic for a reason. It tells the story of a young, poor family living in Brooklyn at the turn of the century. It's a beautifully woven story of the highs and lows of poverty and the bonds of family.












This book was ridiculous and delightful and hilarious and poignant and everything a good book should be. It's the story of Allan Karlsson, who, as the title suggests, climbs out of his window on his one hundredth birthday, and the adventures that ensue. Partly set in present day, and partly throughout Allan's century-long life, it's tall tale meets revisionist history and it is just...so wonderful. 

It was originally published in Sweden/Swedish, but the translation was phenomenal. The humor is dry and quite subtle at times, which is right up my alley. 

Over the past month the company for which I work has been going through a major rehaul, reorganization, whatever you want to call it. It began last December with a big layoff that left the office with what felt like bare bones. Little did I know what was the bare bones actually felt like.

At the end of March we went through another massive layoff, in preparation for the office to move locations entirely. One department has been relocated to our game studio in Orange County. One of our other game studios is in Bellevue, so we're joining forces with that location.

For the past three-plus weeks I've been organizing, packing, arranging movers, temporary housing, booking flights, rental cars, you name it, to get the office moved. Just in time for my role with the company to end. Yesterday was my last day.

But I'm not fretting because I'm staying put! I happened to find another job in the same building downtown, through none other than our friendly FedEx guy. We've gotten to know each other over the past year I've been in the building and a friend of his also owns a business in the building (and has been there for 25 years). He needed some new staff and I was a good fit. I'll be starting there on Thursday.


On a more somber note, another transition has occurred this week with the passing of The Scientist's grandmother. She was 95 and her health had been declining over the past several years. She lived a long, fulfilling life and died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday night. Although she was old and not in the best condition, it was still a bit sudden. But it serves as a reminder of how precious life is and how we should make the most of the time we have here on earth, since that's all we get.

I always find myself reflecting on the same thoughts around this time every year, as we transition from winter to spring.

The air smells fresh, almost alive.

The aroma of wood smoke is more reminiscent of campfires and bonfires on the beach than cozy nights indoors by the fireplace.

Rainy days feel more balmy, rather than bone-chilling cold.

Daylight hangs on a bit longer each day.

There are signs of new life everywhere. In the trees, on the ground, in the bushes as baby bunnies emerge, in the water where tiny ducklings are taking their first swim.

Everything seems to appear softer, as buds and leaves pop out and cover up the bleak, bare, winter landscape.

People are holding their heads a little higher and smiling a little more.

Color is everywhere!

I was notified last week that my stalker was arrested and thrown in jail for a few days. His arrest record (which is public record) indicated that it was for violation of civil anti-harassment protection order. Unless someone else has filed an order against him - which, let's face it, is pretty darn likely considering his behavior - I'm going to assume he was arrested for violating my order.

At the time, I was told that not much could be done and it's up to the judge's discretion how to proceed. I felt incredibly frustrated when I heard that, but apparently the judge was not pleased and issued a warrant for his arrest. I don't know where or how he was arrested, but it doesn't matter. He spent time in jail and that will go on his record. I'm pleased that law enforcement is working for me and will continue to trust that it will continue this way.

We're coming up on almost a full year since the order was granted, which means it will be time to file for an extension soon. I'm hoping the process will be quick and painless, as I don't want to devote any more time thinking about it than I absolutely have to.

Thank you all for your support and kind words through this. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, please do not hesitate to talk to me about it.

The Scientist and I returned last night from a fabulous trip to Northern California. It was part family visit, part spending time with friends old and new, and many, many parts drinking wine :-)

We bookended the trip in Fairfield, on my uncle and aunt's sixty acre ranch, and spent the middle of the trip in Petaluma and Napa Valley.

Have you heard about The Scintilla Project? "A Fortnight of Storytelling", this project was created as a way to collaborate and connect with other bloggers and writers through our own personal stories. Every day for two weeks, a daily prompt (or two) is delivered to your email and you can write a story using those prompts.

I was introduced to this by San and, although I'm five days behind, I'm in love with the idea. It's a fantastic way to get to know other bloggers, as well as getting some fresh inspiration for your blog (which I've been severely lacking lately).

DAY 1 - Tell a story about a time you got drunk before you were legally able to do so.

It's funny. Growing up, alcohol was never forbidden in our house. My mum enjoyed beer and wine, and loved to make fun cocktails in the summertime. I was allowed to have an occasional glass of wine or a small beer every once in awhile - mostly on special occasions. So I wasn't unfamiliar with the alcohol buzz. I never got drunk, but definitely experienced getting a little silly. But in high school I became such a good little church girl that I frowned upon the "crazy partying" in which many of my classmates participated (hi, judgmental hypocrite much?).

After high school I slowly got over that attitude, but it wasn't until my boyfriend at the time joined a fraternity our sophomore year that I really, truly got shitfaced drunk. It happened, of course, at a fraternity party. I was eighteen years old at the time. Painfully shy, innocent, size zero. Most definitely what you would call a lightweight.  I didn't quite know what to expect when my boyfriend and I walked into the basement where  the parties always took place. But sure enough, within a few minutes I was offered at least three cans of cheap beer (probably Natty Ice) and a cup of punch being served from a giant plastic tub.

I definitely didn't fit in. Most of the girls were wearing tight dresses, or short skirts and tiny tank tops, and cute shoes. I was wearing jeans, a basic fitted tee, and Doc Martens. I nursed my first beer, begging my boyfriend not to leave my side. He sweetly obliged as we awkwardly made our rounds through the crowd. I recognized some of his buddies and their girlfriends, whom I had met at prior functions, and as the liquid courage slowly appeared I began to feel a bit more comfortable.

I felt a bit of a buzz after I (finally) finished my first beer, but my nerves weren't completely settled yet so I decided to go for some of the infamous 'jungle juice' in the rubbermaid. Now, I had always been under the impression that jungle juice existed for those who didn't like the taste the alcohol. Apparently the folks who made this particular batch did not get that memo because HELLO. That first cup was like drinking freaking jet fuel. But I actually kind of liked the burn as it slid down my throat (TWSS?) and after that first cup I was like HappyThankYouMorePlease.

As the party started getting bigger, I hit that sweet spot where I was feeling good, dancing my ass off, having a blast with my boyfriend and his friends. I had some more beers, and a few more cups of punch. Then...things went south. I know you've been there. I started getting sloppy. Slurring my words. Swaying back and forth (and not in time with the music). So I went upstairs to my boyfriend's room to get some water and fresh air, and to use the facilities.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. I actually remember sitting on the toilet as I was peeing. Or, more like almost falling off the toilet because I was so drunk. My head was spinning, I couldn't see straight, and I could barely pull up my pants as I stood up. I stumbled out to the sinks and saw a couple of the girls I knew from before. I started chatting them up but I'm sure what came out of my mouth was pure gibberish.

I began washing my hands but the room was spinning so hard that I had to stop, lean over and grab the sides of the sink. I remember hearing the girls say "Stephanie, are you ok?" and then BLECCCCCCCCCHHHHHHH. I lost my lunch (and breakfast, and dinner, and many cups of jungle juice...) right there in the sink. And then "Ohhhhhh, she's definitely not ok."

One of the girls helped me while the other went downstairs to find my boyfriend. I don't think he was too far away from a similar experience so it's probably better that he had to excuse himself from the party at that point. We went to bed shortly after, slept in late, and got Pho for lunch (to this day it's still the best hangover cure ever).

I had many wild, drunken nights after that, but that party will forever stick in my mind as my first and worst!

Three weeks from today, The Scientist and I will be jetting down to the Napa/Sonoma area for a bit of R&R. My uncle and aunt own a 60 acre ranch just east of Napa, and a second house in Petaluma. I know I've mentioned it before, but my uncle and aunt are two of my favorite people on the planet. We've visited them there twice together, but both times were road trips. While I love a good road trip, we're flying this time - which leaves more time for wine tasting and other adventures!

As of right now, our plans are wide open. We'll probably spend at least one day wine tasting and probably another in San Francisco. We may head out to Pt. Reyes or Mt. Tamalpais for a hike, or we may spend a day eating and shopping our way through Petaluma. It's all up in the air right now, which is how we both like to travel. We'll be gone from Wednesday until Sunday, which is perfect for a mini-getaway. It should also be pretty decent weather, which will be a welcome change to the dreary, rainy springtimes we have up here.

We've been to several wineries in Napa and Sonoma, and my uncle and aunt are members of several wine clubs which makes for fun times at the tasting room. But I'm always open to more suggestions! If you've been to the Napa/Sonoma area, what are some of your favorite wineries?