Less than two weeks 'til I get my heels up

I bit the bullet and signed up for Irish step dancing lessons again.

As it will come as no surprise to you all, I've been itching to do this for AGES. In February I discovered the Timoney School in Glenside takes adults and that was it. It was all a matter of getting together with some money to make it happen.

And then, an inquiry I sent out over a year ago came back to me from the McDade School – which happens to be one of the most respected dance schools in the area – saying they were offering a month-long workshop for adults. I can remember dancing against McDade in feiseanna and what tough competitors they were. So I thought I would take this workshop with them to get myself back in fighting condition before starting full time with Timoney.

One thing I am super-excited about with Timoney is that they offer both step dancing and ceili dancing instruction. A lot of places that teach adults only teach ceili dances, which are fun and all, but doesn't include all the dances I love – slip jig, treble jig, hornpipe, etc.

I just plunked down $50 for a new set of soft shoes, as my old shoes have cracked soles and holes beginning in the leather. Let me just tell you, the price of shoes hasn't gone down at all. It was hard to resist the siren call of the fancy $65 soft shoes, which look like they're so supportive and give you amazing arches, but I just can't reason spending that much money on what is, essentially, a slipper. I will probably need a new set of hard shoes as well, but I think that $140 investment can wait a bit.

You guys, I am unbelievably stoked about this. I am considerably more dumpling-shaped than I was when I was dancing (...oh Christ...) 10 years ago, but I am hopeful that getting back into dancing will help slim and trim and make me want to work out more (as well as fool me into working out since I hate going to the gym).

I also have some other creative juices flowing with this whole dance thing, I'll keep you posted if I can get it together to do this/get what I want.

===

In other Irish-like news, Inis Nua's latest show, Bedbound is getting some seriously good press.

The play itself is sort of depressing, but in typical Inis Nua fashion, it's also funny, hopeful and weirdly beautiful. It's also ambitious, having the most expensive set in Inis Nua's history, complete with a wowwee special effect.



Toby Zinman of the Philadelphia Inquirer said that it was a "thrilling, searing production" and then went on to say this:

Inis Nua ("New Island" in Gaelic) keeps providing us with startling new theatrical voices from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Tom Reing has tapped into a deep wellspring, giving us playwright after playwright we might never have otherwise seen or heard. Bedbound is one not to miss.

I KNOW. Isn't that just one of the most flattering paragraphs to read? I am so proud of my brother!



Bedbound has three more shows left. You should go see it.

I feel like Inis Nua is on the verge of some pivotal awesomeness. They keep getting better and better, and next year's season is going to be amazing. I feel privileged to be apart of it, even in my small web maintenance/photography way. They're planning to mount Dublin by Lamplight, which is a play my brother has been itching to do even before Inis Nua had been developed. Speaking of which, Inis Nua has found a donor willing to DOUBLE any donations made to the theatre in the coming year, and if they want to do Dublin by Lamplight, they are going to need it. Won't you consider helping out a bit?

Congratualtions JJ!

WOOOOO!

I am so excited about this. I can't wait to help out with it.

How Philly Moves

Exciting events are afoot (pun totally intended) for my photographer friend J.J. Tiziou! His project, How Philly Moves, is about to make an exciting announcement.

I know some of the details, but I am sworn to secrecy. I can tell you the following:

1. It's a fantastic blend of community, diversity, and art.
   
2. It will pretty up some very blah places.
   
3. It will perfectly capture the reckless joy and beauty of dance.
   
4. J.J. is awesome.
   
5. I hope to help him in this project.

So if you're available tomorrow, visit the City Hall in Mayor's Reception Room for a dance party and an announcement. Personally, I will be cursing my 9-5. And chair dancing.

Shoot for Haiti

Another thing adding to my mid-January depression is the horrific earthquake in Haiti. I could not even begin to comprehend the loss and destruction, the fear and devastation those people are facing right now. And to happen to such a poor unstable nation such as Haiti...

It's maddening, because you're looking at the footage on CNN and you see these people in such pain (oh my god, did you see the footage of that 11-year old girl trapped in the building? My heart was breaking the entire time) and you feel so helpless and frustrated and you want to grab a couple gallons of water and hop on a plane and go there and DO SOMETHING besides just lolling about the house bemoaning how down you feel because you're an ungrateful wench who has a roof over her head, a steady job, food in her fridge, to say nothing of her wonderful friends and boyfriend and oh yeah, her health and able body, so she should shut the hell up already and stop looking at what she doesn't have and instead be thankful for what she's got because meanwhile, while you're being all selfish and self-centered, people are dying in agony in Haiti.

At least, that's the way I feel.

I had similar feelings after Hurricane Katrina and ended up having a full blown melt down about the entire thing, because while FEMA was doing fuck all and dead bodies were lying in the streets, I was living the cushy life. And my guilt and inability to directly help literally caused me to lose my shit for about two days.

So you donate to the Red Cross, you pray, you give blood, etc. You do what you can. Because not all of us can work for Doctors without Borders and as much as I would like to help, I don't have a medical degree or know how to operate a backhoe. And I would probably be more of a hindrance than a help, I would be in the way, I need training, etc. And money is just as valuable as my time. And I have a full-time job that I need to stay at so I can pay my bills and whatnot.

But you know what I do have? A camera. And some basic photography talents. And two hands.

And so, I've volunteered for Shoot for Haiti.

Here's the deal: A bunch of professional photographers in Philadelphia are gathering for a benefit on January 31. If you need your headshots done or want a family portrait taken or if you have promotional photos you need for your business: This is the day to get them done. Because on January 31, the photographers participating in Shoot for Haiti will be charging just $50 for their services. And that $50 goes right to the American Red Cross Haiti disaster relief.

Now I've signed on to help out this day, but I will probably not be working as a photographer at the event. Because I'm not technically a professional. I will be doing administration work, set up, tear down, and generally assisting wherever they want me.

BUT, in the spirit of giving and volunteerism, all my services for the month of January (..and probably February too) cost just $50 and will go to Shoot for Haiti/American Red Cross. This includes the work I did this past weekend, although my subjects don't know it yet. So if you want photos done by me, sign up now. ALSO, if you want to buy prints from me, the cost will be $25 and all proceeds will also benefit Shoot for Haiti/American Red Cross. So if in the past I've taken an awesome photo of you, sign up to buy it now!

I should note that the benefit on January 31 is just the first benefit to be organized by Shoot for Haiti and more will probably follow. I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, links:

Shoot for Haiti

American Red Cross

Doctors Without Borders

My Flickr (choose the photo, email me the link, I'll see you get it)

The Uncollected Poems of Sheri St. Pierre

In Murder!, my character, Sheri, is described as a 20-something poet. Not to ruin things for you, but she's also a tramp and then uses her experiences as fodder for her poems. At one point in the show, Craig's character, Woodrow, pulls Sheri aside for a few minutes of private conversation stage right. Every night, as Craig pulls me aside and fake-talks to me, we mouth random words and phrases to each other, "I like your log cabin," or "Landen broods too much," and "Do you like my dress? It shows off my boobs." This is both a practical exercise (we need to look like we're really talking) and a dangerous one (we keep cracking each other up). At one rehearsal Craig jokingly asked that I recite some of Sheri's poems to him while we're doing our aside. But after I mouthed "There was a man from Nantucket..." to him, I was at a loss. Because I don't really know any poems off the top of my head, much less erotic ones. And while I can make a mean Indian Buffet Haiku, a poet I am not.

However, one of our other castmates (Courtney) is a poet, and a thumpin' good one. And today, she made up the following poems on the 32 bus. She claims that she doesn't want them associated with her, because they are awful. But I think she, (Courtney, that is) did a wonderful job of capturing Sheri's delightfully tacky spirit in these poems (that Courtney wrote).

And so I am happy to present: The Uncollected Poems of Sheri St. Pierre (which is a nom de plume)(For Courtney)

1. Daybreak

for Jackson

The night woods slumber--
stars so cool, the moon so bright.
My lover loves me like the night.

But morning is a flower, opening
to the touch of my Sable Apollo.

O, caress the earth, your mistress
who rests waiting for the rays
that warm and penetrate.

Morning is a flower
opening to your touch.


2. Twilight

for Martha

O summer's lush green heat
cools to autumn's ashen void,
but here he's found a summer
still supple and yielding.

Why fetter Man to the calendar,
to the endless march of day to night?
The warmth of the sun becomes
only the distant, cool moon

unless he untie the bonds
and reach out a sure, free hand
into the soft warmth of sunshine,
the open lap of day.

--

After the Harvest

after "Death in the Evening"

The old woman cries,
realizes the mist of morning will never
again dampen her hem.

She gathers the last berries and fruit
to sustain her through the winter -- a feast!
Bounty fit for gorging, indulging, but she must

peck like a bird, savor each morsel.
Though her appetites rage inside her,
she wears a mask of satiety.

Oh, that she were young again --
to wear the lace and curl her hair!
To move among men like smoke!

She cries a lot now, tasting
the last fruit of the harvest --
juice burst and spent on her tongue.

When her basket is empty and the last fruit
is eaten, still must she survive.
So she forages, collects

the scraps of other gardens,
her mouth full of a sweetness
that sours at the close of day.

--

The Depths

for Woodrow

You are your island --
a chill wind on all sides,
deep water concealing
sediment and muck.

You are your island, unreachable
untouchable without the boat
that skims a skin of blackness

The oarsman heaves his might
against the deep, his eyes
see only the hidden longing
for land, for warmth.

O Charon, row us all to safety!
Row us far from home.

--
Dialogue of Self and Self

for Landen

Here he spins in his circle, here
he can watch the clouds gather, he
knows that she can feel his heart beating.
But she looks to another --

Here he sits in his sorrow, here
the night's darkness looms -- night
holds us until the sunrise brings the ferry.
And she still cannot see --

Here he waits for his moment, here
he feels the ice melt, knowing he
alone can ask the questions and
make her know what he knows.

====

How ridiculous. I LOVE IT, obviously. Way to go Sheri(Courtney)!

It's the week of the Fringe!

From last week's preview show:



Oh god. Must remember to stand in profile and suck it in. Am as big as a fucking house. How did this happen? GOD.

Self-loathing aside, come see Murder! We open zomg, THIS FRIDAY.

Also, cast mates Liz and Rob are interviewed in this Podcast about the Fringe.

Fringelicious

So so so SO, the Fringe Festival begins in about a week and I've been all busy getting my little theatrical ducks in a row. Dress and shoes are sorted and today, thanks to the help of Sarah, I bought some kick ass jewelry for my costume. Still to do: Figure out something to do with my hair – which will most likely involve buying a set of hot rollers and teaching myself to actually style my hair, and buy some hooker red lipstick.

This past Monday, Dark Side Theater (the name for the theater company producing Murder!) participated in a Fringe Festival Preview at Play's and Player's Theater. This marked my first time on stage since I played Doctor #2 in our 7th grade production of "Doctor, Doctor." We performed a 10 minute scene that went off pretty well, despite the fact my knees were shaking the entire time, no lie. Even with my shaking knees, Jillian told me that I had "quite the strut" as I moved across the stage, so this gives me hope that I might actually live through this acting thing.

Anyway...the benefit of taking part of this preview show, aside from breaking my acting hymen, is that I got to see peeks of some other shows that will be going on and would like to make my official Fringe recommendations:

1. You're coming to see Murder!, right? You'd better.
   
   
2. And Trad too? Hello, you must. So good, you guys. And Mike Dees has already commenced with the head-shaving, so you know he's geared up.
   
   
3. The Power Of Magic: An International Commedia for Everyone by OMBELICO Mask Ensemble This was hilarious and incredible. I highly recommend it, AND it's free! You can't beat that.
   
   
4. Same Spirit Different Movement Fest by Illstyle & Peace Productions This is a dance production that incorporates all styles, but on Monday they just previewed the hip-hop bit. Still, it was pretty incredible and very fun.
   
   
5. 4Play by Secret Room Theatre Four plays, each about sex. Well, it is the Fringe, after all. The bit we saw was a section titled "Johnny Infamous," a Grease-like musical about a guy who likes to get off with inanimate objects. Utterly ridiculous, very funny, and extremely catchy songs.
   
   
6. Salesmanship For Life & Limb by Thomas Tirney & Tall Grass Productions My uncle is starring in this. Between me and my brother and now my uncle, this Fringe Festival is a real family affair.
   
   
7. Shakesploitation II Iambic Boogaloo by Iron Age Theatre R. Kelly and Juliet Trapped in the Closet. NEED I SAY ANYTHING MORE?
   
   
8. Improv Comedy by The N Crowd I'm going to be attending at least 3 performances of this, taking pictures until my camera breaks from the awesome. Join me!
   
   
9. 7 (x1) Samurai by David Gaines I don't think there's anything I can say about this that the trailer doesn't say.
   
   
10. Muralmorphosis which is where you will find me the weekend after all my Fringe shows.

Support local art and artists at the Fringe Festival!

Programing notes

Well for starters, let's get the depressing things off of the top of the page.

Second of all: MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND BUY TICKETS. The Philly Fringe is just around the corner.

Of course, this means that rehearsals for Murder! have begun. On one hand, I'm dreading this production because, Hi, not an actress. On the other hand, at the table readings alone we're already having so much fun. The addition of Nick to the cast as Jackson (a.k.a. - My character's main squeeze) has been such a lift for the group. He's playing the part with a completely different spin and energy than Larry did — and nothing against Larry at all, here — and seems much more comfortable in the role. Therefore, I'm much more comfortable plastering myself on him, batting my eyelashes and playing the tart. The entire cast can't stop giggling at one another, so much so, I'm actually worried about us corpsing during the actual show.

So, it's at this point that I guess I should tell you how to get tickets so you can see this ridiculous nonsense. Fine. If you want to come see me play an utter Jezebel and see a very silly murder mystery, you should buy tickets to Murder! here, on the Fringe website. All for the low, low price of $15!

Also at the Fringe Festival: Inis Nua's Remount of Trad.

Trad may just be my favorite of Inis Nua's plays: So funny, so sweet, and so sad. It's brilliant. It stars the ever-talented Charlie DelMarcell, Mike Dees, and Jared Delaney.



In addition to performing in the Fringe festival again, Trad will also be performed at the 1st Irish Festival in NEW YORK, for the New York premier! This is crazy exciting, a huge opportunity for my brother and his wee little theatre company. And while I know he is exhausted and stressed out trying to nail down all the details, I am so so proud of him and very hopeful about what this could mean for the theatre company.

You can buy tickets to see Trad here. And you should. Because it's SO WORTH IT. Also? The playwright, Mark Doherty, is trying to secure funding to come to America to see the show, so there's the possibility of a Q&A or something afterward! I'll keep you posted.

Also soon to be posted: THE NEW AND IMPROVED INIS NUA SITE, HOPEFULLY ALL PRETTY LOOKIN. I'm aiming for the site to launch Monday.

Barleby Snopes!

I have 7 (SEVEN) photos appearing in the new issue of Bartleby Snopes! My super amazing writer friend Sarah has a brilliant piece, "Koala Tide," appearing in the same issue (it was Story of the Month, dontcha know). You can download it here.

And guys, thanks for all your help, advice, and voting. 'Preciate ya.

Made in China

BRÚIDIÚIL It's the Irish word for brutal. Fierce. Harsh. Severe. It's a knife fight in the street. Rats in a cage, clawing to get out. But even in a brutal world there can be a ray of hope...















Set in a completely re-imagined Dublin underworld, Made in China involves martial arts, snack foods, rogue cops, and savage low-lifes. A dreadful accident causes a violent tug-of-war between two criminal foot soldiers over the loyalty of a thrid. Self-loathing, guilt, and loneliness emerge in this frenzied narrative, which culminates in a blistering battle for survival.

*Contains strong language and violence.

Made in China by Mark O'Rowe
Directed by Tom Reing

Starring Mike Dees, Charlie DelMarcell, and Jered McLenigan.

May 12–24

The Playground at the Adrienne
2030 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA

Tickets available here or by calling 215-454-9776

(Also starring Charlie's hair)



(and Mike's legs)

Skin Deep

Skin Deep is a thriller set in the Dublin art world, inspired by artists like Damien Hirst and the new greed of Ireland. Karl, a struggling artist, owes money to his landlord, a photographer called Dan. Karl is stuck for inspiration, when one day he hits upon an idea, involving a huge favor from Susan, a medical student moonlighting in a hospital morgue. Dan's girlfriend Ruth writes a weekly column on her love life. As Karl's new work elevates him to celebrity status, Ruth becomes suspicious of the secret to his success. All this... and a mysterious foot!

Skin Deep by Paul Meade
THE AMERICAN PREMIERE!

Directed by Tom Reing
Starring Charlie DelMarcell, Jared Michael Delaney, Corinna Burns and Melissa Lynch.

January 6-18
The Adrienne
2030 Samson Street

Ticket reservations online or 215-454-9776













Philly kids, you know you want to go!

And also: EEEEEE!

Discussion of Doctor Who is strictly academic.


Holy shit, I need to get my ass together on this. Like, NOW.

See how I run

Last week at this time I was doing what I believe is known as, "Losing my Shit All Over the Place." I basically had ten million, frillion, septillion things to do, most with a Saturday deadline, so I was spazzing out everywhere.

I am pleased to say -- with a little help from friends -- I managed to get everything done that needed to get done. Huge, immense, incredible thanks go out to Tammi who did me the gigantic favor of taking my art to the gallery (Ok, ok, ok -- it's totally just a bar with art hanging on the walls. WHATEVER. THEY CALL THEMSELVES A GALLERY, SO I WILL TOO) on time for the drop off so that I could attend my cousin's graduation party.

Speaking of which, graduation party turned into Cousin-Palooza '08 with representation from all sides and factions of the family; it was lovely. Cousins are so awesome, and I can't tell you how much I enjoy and love all of my cousins' company. I feel lucky to be so close to them all, if not geographically then at least personally. Even more rad: I'll get to see most of them again at the end of the month when fellow cousin and Bishop (Oh, Cousin Bishop, as Carl would say) has his 25th anniversary of ordination. It's going to be fabulous.

The biggest accomplishment is that I got that fragging abstract done. I got it in right under the deadline at 11:49pm on Saturday. It was all kind of slapdash -- If you remember, I originally did paper on Hegel and Lacan, then the Doc advised me to just focus on one of the philosophers. So I chose Hegel, thinking that he would give me more to work with. I struggled all week long with this stupid abstract, really having issues with both the writing style and Hegel's philosophy (oh god, I HAAAAAATE Hegel -- he's impossibly dense and cerebral) and feeling quite discouraged. Then, at the Rosemont Reading on Friday night (which went really well, by the way, I got a good response on what I read), one of my fellow readers read a piece called, "Sarah Died From Her Lacanian Struggle" a fictional short story inspired be the Critical Theory class she and I both took, the class that spawned this paper in the first place. You guys, that story was exactly what I needed to hear. So at the eleventh hour, I changed my mind again and decided to focus solely on Lacan. So Saturday -- on the ride to my cousin's graduation -- I rewrote my abstract. I didn't run it by the Doc or anyone, I just sent it in. I don't think I did it properly, writing style-wise, but writing in a serious academic fashion is so difficult, and writing in serious academic fashion while still feeling like it was "my own" is darn near impossible. So I took a breath, trusted my gut and natural writing instincts and just did it. I have no idea if it will be accepted, but if it's not I'm OK with that. A lot of this exercise was about trying something new, putting myself out there. I did the best I could, and I am satisfied with myself. The bigger picture now is figuring out how to get myself to Ireland/the UK, because deep down, that's what this is really about. Omen-wise, this post of dorky Lacan jokes appeared on McSweeney's the same day. Which I don't take as an omen that I'll get to the conference, rather that I did the right thing writing about Lacan.

Meanwhile, summer classes continue to be crazy. My company's softball team continues to rock -- they're 6–0 right now. I may have finagled myself as a correspondent for Montgomery County Newspapers (I know. What? How did that happen? The editor for Ticket is my teacher for my summer class, and he invited me to do a few articles, that's how. Sadly, unpaid. Gotta start somewhere, I guess). Mike's girlfriend has temporarily moved in with us. I've told Gary he can move in with me come fall. (YEAH. What have I gotten myself into? This could be either incredibly bad or incredibly awesome. We'll find out which.) I've got another wedding this weekend, so it's home home home, and of course, more photos. Art show is TOMORROW NIGHT and I couldn't be more stoked. I hope to see you all there! You're coming, right? You're all invited! Come on, you know you want to drink booze with me and help me pretend I'm a famous artist!

It's a crazy, wild time I'm having this summer. I kind of like it.

Oh, and this

You guys. SERIOUSLY.



Holy crap, I'm starting to get nervous.

Super Exciting Arty News

So in my last post, I hinted at something SUPER SECRET and awesome that I didn't want to jinx by talking about.

Well, now I can talk about it. Are you ready?

My friend Hunter, having seen some of my design work from the past semester, alerted me to a digital media art show and urged me to submit my work. The deadline for the open call was literally that very day (in fact, I had technically missed the deadline by 12 hours) but Hunter told me to go ahead and submit anyway. I figured balls to the wind, why not? So I went ahead and submitted three of my favorite pieces.

I just found out that one of my pieces was accepted.

Which one? Well, you're just going to have to come and see:

The Off the Wall Gallery/Dirty Frank's
NE corner of 13th and Pine, Philadelphia
ENTER DIGITAL
Opening Reception Thursday, June 5
7pm - 10pm
Show continues until Friday, August 1st.

People. My work is going to be FRAMED. Hanging in an ART GALLERY (ok, ok, a bar/art gallery -- but why quibble?). FOR SALE. I'm dying a little bit over here.

Say, are you busy this Thursday?

Whatcha doing this Thursday? Well, besides watching Lost?

That's boring. You know what you should do instead? You should come to Rosemont for a little while for A Stroll Through the Arts.

OK, so it's not really strolling per se, seeing as it's all in one room. You could stroll through the room, I guess, but usually when I see "stroll" I think of a leisurely walk through a garden.

Whatever.

My point is, that 12 pieces of digital design by yours truly will be on display that night. There will also be readings done by the M.F.A. students, including my friend Courtney who writes beautiful poetry, and I'm not even a poetry fan so you know it's good if I'm recommending it. Oh and short films by the video students.

It's free, people. And there will be snacks. You know you want to come. And you'll totally get home in time for Lost, so don't worry.

A Stroll Through the Arts
Rosemont Campus, Main Building
1400 Mongomery Ave.
Rosemont, PA
7:00pm

Operation Get Published: Vote for Me!

One of my photos is up for submission over at JPG magazine and you should go vote for it. Because if I could get published, that would be rad.

Thank you!

Eleven Minutes...of AWESOME

Kelly and I went to the film festival on Saturday and saw this film, which was great. It's showing again tonight, if you want to check it out.

Also, we were thisclose to Jay McCarroll (he brushed up against my shoulder!) and totally could have talked to him, only Kelly and I were ill prepared and were dressed in jeans and hoodies and neither of us had the good sense to bring a pen or a camera. Nor did we have anything particularly interesting to say to him ("OMG! You're Jay McCarroll! You design awesome things!"), and would have sounded like noobs.

There was an after party at the Fels Planetarium where Jay would be showing his line, which Kelly and I really wanted to go to, but sadly we were bound by the SEPTA schedule and had to catch the last R5. Bugger.

The Machine Stops

It was sort of a photolicious weekend for me. I decided to do a bunch of self-portraits after Ostara, since I never take my own picture and since for once I was feeling sort of pretty -- with thanks to Miss S for putting flowers in my hair and drawing pretty designs all over my face.

Saturday I went to the Conshohocken St. Patrick's Day Parade with Justine, Renee, Luke, Leslie, Matt, Krista, Kit, Haven, and Phil. I had intended on going to the parade and taking a few pictures, hanging out a bit and then going home. But then....Justine and Renee had an inflatable sombrero filled with margaritas, and well...I voted instead for hanging around.

Even more fun: Matt's band was playing that night and Justine invited me to tag along. And then I got really photo crazy:





I have to say, the lighting in that bar was pretty horrendous, not to mention the fact that my auto focus was being a whiny little bitch. It led to a lot of photos like this:



I choose to believe that they were ROCKING OUT so much that I just couldn't capture them. Or that I was being purposefully arty. Yeah, that's it. I was being arty. Still, there are some shots that I really like:











The band, by the way, was really good. You should check them out. They're having another show this Friday in Phoenixville, you know.

More photos of the band are here.

Read Books, They're Good for Your Mind

Or, rather, Donate Books, It's Good For Your Soul.



Every year the Dewey Donation System puts together book drive for a school or library in need. It's one of my favorite charities and I try to make a point in donating, even if it's just one children's book. It's done some amazing things in the past -- donating books libraries decimated by hurricane Katrina and schools demolished by the Tsunami in 2005. Most of the time the libraries being donated to don't even know they've been chosen until the drive is over -- and then they get a lovely surprise.

So why don't you take a moment to put some warm fuzzies in your cold pricklies by donating a book or two?

Thanks! You look pretty.