Currently Reading Memoirs of a Geisha: A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) By Arthur Golden see related

I finally got the chance to read "Memoirs of a Geisha" this past week, and it is has restored my appreciation of books.  It is the first time in a long time that I read through a book so quickly.  I just couldn't put it down, and I lost so much sleep over it.  Not only was the storyline captivating, but the writing was just amazing.  Every sentence flowed with lyricism, and every scene was painted with vivid colors.  This book has easily become one of my favorites.

The biggest shock came to me on the very last page, after the story had ended.  Right there, in the acknowledgements section, I learned that this story was fictional.   I was under the impression that the author was merely translating Sayuri's story as she told it to him.  I had no idea that the first 2 pages of the book titled "Translator's notes" was actually part of the fictional story.  I just couldn't believe it.  Sayuri never existed.  I felt so much compassion for her and cried tears of joy when she finally won what was dearest to her.  How could she not be real?  I was simply devastated, but at the same time, I am now even more amazed by how well this book was written. 

I like how we can sit in silence....and I would smile at him when he's not looking, but somehow he senses it and smiles back without looking up.

So apparently the #1 hit song on your 18th birthday is the theme song to your life.  Mine is Vertical Horizon's "Everything You Want."  This song is actually one of my favorites, but how sad is it to have it as my life's theme?  But I must admit that it is also very true.

Somewhere there's speaking
It's already coming in
Oh and it's rising at the back of your mind
You never could get it
Unless you were fed it 
Now you're here and you don't know why

But under skinned knees and the skid marks
Past the places where you used to learn
You howl and listen
Listen and wait for the
Echoes of angels who won't return

Chorus
He's everything you want
He's everything you need
He's everything inside of you
That you wish you could be
He says all the right things
At exactly the right time
But he means nothing to you
And you don't know why

You're waiting for someone
To put you together
You're waiting for someone to push you away
There's always another wound to discover
There's always something more you wish he'd say

Chorus

But you'll just sit tight
And watch it unwind
It's only what you're asking for
And you'll be just fine
With all of your time
It's only what you're waiting for

Out of the island
Into the highway
Past the places where you might have turned
You never did notice
But you still hide away
The anger of angels who won't return

Chorus

I am everything you want
I am everything you need
I am everything inside of you
That you wish you could be
I say all the right things
At exactly the right time
But I mean nothing to you and I don't know why
And I don't know why
Why...
I don't know...

"The song is about this girl who's always looking ahead, never satisfied with the men who are interested in her, and always pushing on for someone else, even though these guys seem to have everything she wants and needs. But by the end of the song, the fella who knows her so well and is talking to her in the lyrics finally decides to get up the courage to say, 'Hey, I'm everything you need!'" - Matt Scannell, vocals & guitar

"It's definitely a relationship song. It's a typical story that everyone goes through of being enamored with someone and becoming good friends with them in hopes that it will get more serious. Bad news is that it never really happens, and you experience the frustration that comes when you think you are the perfect person for someone that doesn't think likewise." - Keith Kane, vocals & guitar

Today was such a beautiful day.  I finally went bike riding along the beach.  It felt so good to be out there in the sun and embracing my new life as a South Bayer. ^_^  There were so many people walking, running, blading, bicycling, and playing volleyball.  And it was cute to see the families with their children, old couples riding bikes, people walking their dogs, and everyone just enjoying themselves. 

I ended up biking all the way down to LAX from Redondo.  I didn't realize how far I had gone until I saw the airplanes in the sky.  I hopped off my bike and sat on the beach for about an hour.  It was nice sitting there watching the waves, listening to my pod, and relaxing.  I took several pictures on my cell phone, and they suprisingly came out nice.  

              

The sun was setting while I was heading back, and it was dark by the time I hit Hermosa.  I think my roundtrip was about 16-18 miles.  I didn't plan on going that far, but at least I know I'm prepared for the LA Bike Tour now. ^_^  The trail probably won't be as flat though, and I'm actually quite sore right now. hehe  Hopefully I'll be in better shape by next month.  All in all, today was a very pleasant day.

I didn't think it was possible to make such an ass out of myself while sober.  Tonight I experienced the power of boredom.  It is evil.