Update

Four days have passed since the operation which went fine by the way, except for the fact that my wounds kept bleeding and I wouldn't stop throwing up but I'm OK now. My jaw still hurts a lot but that's to be expected and I also resemble a slightly bruised chipmunk but I can live with that.
As I predicted, I've been spending most of my days in front of the TV catching up on shows that I missed out on seeing as I don't have cable but luckily for me I can watch them all on DVD, a highly under-valued piece on technology if you ask me. I may still be a couple of seasons behind but now I know what all the fuss was about when it comes to Deadwood, Battlestar Gallactica, Desperate Housewives, Dead like me, Studio 60 and Californication.
I haven't spent much time in front of the computer or reading as a matter of fact. I think I started 6 novels the past few days only to tire of them after 30 pages or so. My lust for literature has been definitely dwindling these past few months but I'm sure it'll pick up again as soon as it gets colder. For some peculiar reason I can never concentrate when the sun is shining, hence my blossoming telly addiction.

Pre-op ponderings

I'm having surgery tomorrow and I'm really really nervous. This will be the first time that I'm anesthetized and to tell you the truth, that's what scares me the most. You know, the possibility of not waking up, ever.
I've probably seen way too many movies and medical drama's where they naturally emphasize what could go wrong instead of showing you how routine a procedure might be. But then, where's the fun in that? Damn you TV! Still, the suckers are lodged deeply in my jaw and if that wasn't bad enough exactly under my joint, so joy!

They've prescribed painkillers that are supposedly strong enough to take out a horse so pain shouldn't be an issue. I especially loved the part when the nurse said I should be careful not to take too many or mix them with any other kind of medication without consulting a doctor first in order to prevent Heath Ledger-type tragedies. Gulp.
I'll probably spend the next two weeks in a blissful haze of indifference while I read, blog or watch non-stop TV as my face deflates and returns to it's usual milky white color.
Although I have to admit, besides the anesthesia, the staying in part is bugging me the most. Despite that I spend a lot of time at home now, I'm definitely not a homebody. Spending prolonged periods of time indoors have a rather, how shall I say, depressing effect on me. And that is why I ask you, dear reader, to be my prozac seeing as actually taking it would probably kill me right now.

The book of other people

Last year, I can't believe it has already been that long, I was making my weekly visit to Fnac to browse through the new book releases when a certain book caught my eye. It had an interesting cover and when I picked it up I realized that it was a collection of short stories by various authors. I was rather skeptical at first since I don't really like short stories (except those of Truman Capote, J.D. Salinger and Dorothy Parker) as they are ultimately too short and fragmentary to tell a good tale or create a rounded character but the latter was exactly the goal of The Book of Other People edited by Zadie Smith.

Authors like Dave Eggers, Jonathan Safran Foer, David Mitchell, Nick Hornby and personal favorite Miranda July, just to name a few, were asked to create a character whose story they will tell by selecting a crucial point in their lives. A wide variety of styles and modes of creating character are presented in this unique and entertaining volume of stories that is also beautifully illustrated by Chris Ware and Daniel Clowes who have also contributed in their own personal way. The royalties finally, will go to Dave Eggers' non-profit organization, 826 NYC, dedicated to helping children with their reading and writing.

I initially liked the concept of the book otherwise I would never have bought a collection of short stories and although some are great, others once again confirmed my beliefs about the genre. A collection that contains various authors also functions as a wonderful introduction (and in some cases even warning) to the work of lesser known authors and in the end, it is definitely worth the read.

The Book of Other People is now available in paperback and even in Dutch.

I'm hot, blue and sexy

I had my job interview today and it turned out far less exciting than I'd hoped. Firstly the job and job description didn't match, talk about false advertising! And secondly, they made me do tests! Tests people! Which I sooo wasn't expecting especially when the job description said editor of English weekly and they make you translate a French text about oil drilling into Dutch. Needless to say, not exactly what I had in mind. Another equally unnerving little experiment was: write the introduction of a pamphlet about gas cylinders and make them look sexy. No matter how you spin it people, you can't put propane and sexy in the same sentence without expecting some Scary Movie gag which is not only an intellectual faux-pas but just plain wrong! And so my quest continues...

Nerves...

I have another job interview tomorrow and I'm really nervous because it's a job I'd love to have, I think. Luckily I made some cookies and cream cupcakes to calm me down.

The Joy of organizing

I have a confession to make, I'm addicted to my diary. I've always loved to plan and organize, it's usually half the fun, so that's why buying a new diary each year is a tantalizing experience that I always look forward to. Usually I'm able to contain myself until November or December (but that's already a stretch) before I buy one but this year I just couldn't resist the exuberant colors of Joy by Paulo Coehlo.

Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian author and that's all I really know about him, shame on me. I've only read his most famous novel namely The Alchemist which was short, sweet, philosophical and hence, not really my cup of tea but I was once again blinded by the lush cover.



The diary is filled with quotes from Coelho's novels and luxuriously illustrated by the talented Catalina Estrada whose drawings are not only fun and colorful but literally exude joy as was intended.

Needless to say, I can't wait to start 2009!

So far, so good?

I have to excuse myself, I've been a terrible blogger of late. The only upside to keeping schtum for all these months is that I can now embark on new horizons, new themes and new thoughts but with the typical Jonesian twist. The downside ofcourse, is that I've probably lost my entire "fanbase", so if you are reading this; atta boy!

Since my last excursion into cyberspace I have graduated (finally after eight gruelling years), given my beloved's apartment a desperately needed yet not officially completed re-vamp and embarked on the long and winding road of jobhunting. Oh, and I've also found a hairdresser who doesn't make me want to get out my voodoo dolls which is always a plus.

Finding a job isn't easy, especially if you have studied English literature and don't want to become, god forbid, a teacher. I have been looking for about two months now and except one horrifying interview, not much has turned up yet but I am hopeful since I finally had a great interview on monday. As I am lacking experience, the standard excuse, I probably won't get it but fingers crossed because I don't know how much longer I will be able to handle all this spare time, seriously. I know I will regret saying this one day but someone please give me a job!

Besides filling my days with waiting, sending out resumes, listening to my mother whine about my (hopefully) soon to be ex-stepfather and Facebook, I've once again turned all my attention to ol' faithful namely baking. What would life be without sweet, moist and mostly chocolatey goodness?

If I haven't already convinced you of all the joys of being me, I'll now seal the deal by adding that in exactly two weeks time I'm having my wisdomteeth removed. Alas, it won't be your standard pull 'em and weep procedure as mine are lodged in my jaw which will have to be slightly broken in order to extract the suckers. Needless to say, lots of pain, swelling, black cheeks and a liquid diet to look forward to.

But rest assure, from now on I'll keep you up to date, even to the last excrutiating detail.