Saturday is always a wonderful day. I bought some books tonight. I had a gift card from my aunt from Christmas and thought it had been taking up space in my wallet for long enough. I never know quite where to go in a book store. Usually people develop a "taste", a particular section or genre they prefer. Maybe it's because I'm still young and am used to other people telling me what to read, but I haven't found my "taste" yet. I like to dabble. And so maybe it was the influence of my majoring leading me, but the first book I picked up was on the politics section. It's Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope." It looks very good, judging from the preface and reviews on the back. The New York Times says "Obama is that rare politician who can actually write--and write movingly and genuinely about himself." Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading it, especially with the excitement of the races amidst. I thought I was done there, but then I wandered over the bargain books and found A Century of Jazz. It was only $6 so naturally I had to get it. And then I found a digital photography one for only $5, so I grabbed that one, too. And then, most importantly, as I turned to go to the check-out, a very special book cover caught my eye. The Velveteen Rabbit. My mother always read it to me when I was little. It meant a lot to me because I had my own version of the Velveteen Rabbit and I know Foofoo loved to hear the magic of the Rabbit becoming real as much as I did. And I though that someday Mackenzie just might love it too. But shh, it's a surprise; something that will sit in my closet for a while...(and the illustrations in this version are absolutely breathtaking). Kris was with me, he bought a mystery thriller, hoping to regenerate an interest in reading. Maybe he's getting close to finding his Taste. But perhaps I should go through the day... I went home yesterday, of course, it being Friday and me not required to stay, having no reason to remain, took off as soon as possible. That was right after I went with Dina and her mom to check out the Tempe house. Dina is our 4th roommate, if I haven't mentioned that yet. Home was exception, as usual. Mom had made lasagna and after some nice conversation, we ate and then played dominos with grandma. Even dad played. Grandma really enjoyed that. Although we all agreed that we're never taking grandma to Vegas. She has the habit of thinking out loud and it was pretty funny (and slightly frustrating)to be arranging your tiles and hearing her, "two and six is eight...eleven...four, three..." I don't think she could tell that the tiles were also color coded...Oh well. After dominos we all sat down to watch Bill Maher, very funny. My parents really like him. I like him too, although he's right when he says he's a pessimist. He never has anything positive to say. Maybe that will change in a year. After the show, grandma and dad disappeared and mom made cosmos. Yum. And after that, well, you don't need to know. Today was a semi-early start. The windows and doors were all open wide, thanks to the cooler weather brought by the storm. I sat on the patio with Cody beside me, his chin on my leg as I pet him. Moments like that have been rare. We had pancakes at the bar and then off we all went. I had my periodontist check-up. Everything looks good, still have to eat soft food, shouldn't play my flute at the concert next Tuesday (going to anyway), going back in four weeks. Drove really far to the drumline competition. Lots of time in the sun. It was really nice to finally see the show though. Kris wrote the book and I can still remember driving from Flagstaff, listening to the song over and over to generate ideas. Anyway, it was a pretty cool show and I'm really proud of him. He did an excellent job. After I guilt-tripped him into leaving his study date, Mike, and meeting me for our planning dinner, we walked down Mill to Slices. We sat and talked for quite a while, about the oddest things, too. Every once in a while he'll surprise me and say, out of the blue, "You know, I still don't know who my best man would be." I think it's pretty well decided now. In fact, the only problem with the wedding party is that I don't have enough brides maids. I guess I just need to go find myself a good girlfriend. They're so difficult, though. Anyway, it was funny that we were talking about it because I suddenly looked up into the shop window and saw a girl wearing a veil and a tiara with a sash that said "bachelorette." Talk about coincidence. Anyway, Kris and I aren't getting married any time soon, but it's comforting to know that we're on the same page about it. After all, after two years, 8 months, 1 day and 11 hours (his calculation at dinner), a couple should be able to talk about marriage without getting freaked out. This love is real. Alright then, off to enjoy my new book collection... Carrie