BTT and The Aging Meme
(Eva’s note: I just realised that I always misspell aging, because I totally wrote ‘the ageing meme’ before I noticed how Emily had it spelled. Whoops.)
First, Booking Through Thursday! I love this week’s question:
What, in your opinion, is the best book that you haven’t liked? Mind you, I don’t mean your most-hated book–oh, no. I mean the most accomplished, skilled, well-written, impressive book that you just simply didn’t like.
Like, for movies–I can acknowledge that Citizen Kane is a tour de force and is all sorts of wonderful, cinematically speaking, but . . . I just don’t like it. I find it impressive and quite an accomplishment, but it’s not my cup of tea.
So . . . what book (or books) is your Citizen Kane?
I know exactly what she’s talking about! The one that’s coming to mind right now is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. I expected to love it; I can see why so many people do. But it just didn’t do anything for me. What about you?
Now for the longer one! Emily tagged me for a meme, and since she said
Eva (who is So young and yet so wise)
, you know I’m going to do it! And yes, I am young, but I’ve still got a little experience aging. Especially the post-college transition. *shudder*
At a certain age women should know what their core values are, be able to articulate them, and live in accordance with them.
At a certain age men should decide NOT to have a mid-life crisis which involves acquiring a new hobby with lots of expensive toys. Ok, that’s kinda mean, but I swear most of the men I know in their 40s do that. More seriously, they should realise that their passions are more important than being a ‘bread-winner’. *sigh* Most of my best guy friends are studying business, not because they’re interested in it, but because that’s what men (especially their fathers) do.
When I was a kid I thought I would change the world!
Now that I am older I wish I hadn’t wasted all of high school thinking I was so ugly it hurt other people to look at me (dude: almost all photographic evidence of high school Eva involves me with a purse over my face; I really thought I was heinously disfigured). Seriously: low self-esteem is just silly.
You know you are too old to ? when I really can’t think of anything for this one! How awful is that?
You know you are too young to take yourself seriously when you still get carded for rated R movies! ;) (oh yes, this has happened. also, when I was flying home at age 20, I was sitting in the emergency exit row. a flight attendant came over, and said “honey, how old are you?” she thought I was younger than 15!!!)
When I was in high school I listened to the music of Live (the band), Savage Garden, Johnny Cash, ACDC, and Vivaldi. That’s just a random sampling, but obviously I have rather eclectic music tastes.
Nowadays I find I like the music of well, lately I’ve gotten more into blues and bluegrass. But I still love a wide-range of music: my car CD holder includes La Boheme and Carrie Underwood. :p
On my last birthday I had a quiet, family-filled day. In fact, I blogged about it.
On my next birthday I want to party!! Hehe I’m in love with the idea of turning 23: I really like that number. So I want a real celebration!
The best birthday present I ever got was ohhh, that’s a hard one. My mom is really into giving great gifts, as is my sister (and me). I pretty much wear the silver Tiffany’s ring I got for my 21st birthday all the time, though.
The first time I felt grown up was…I’m not sure I really feel grown-up. That’s awful, isn’t it? But oh, I remember, the first time I flew home from college, travelling all alone. That felt pretty grown-up at the time.
The last time I felt like a kid was I feel like a kid a lot! I especially felt like a kid during orientation week at my grad school, where the average age of students is 27. Having to continually say I was 22, and hearing people’s reactions, made me feel like a kid. I don’t mind it, though. ;)
When I read We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch it changed my life.
Last year was a wonderful break from school, and an incredible opportunity to bond with my niece, one that I wouldn’t change for anything in the world.
Next year I hope to have a much more impressive resume. ;) I also wouldn’t mind being in a relationship again; I’ve avoided anything serious for two years now, and I think it’s about time to take a risk or two.
How would you finish the sentence next year I hope?
A Striped Armchair 
What a great meme. I might have to tackle that one in the coming days.
And my least favorite good book: Of Mice and Men. I appreciated it, but I also wanted to throw it under a garbage truck.
Mine would be Moby Dick and The Alchemist. Moby Mick I have mentioned to a good length in the overrated classics meme. The anniversary edition of The Alchemist that I saw at the bookstore just reminded me how awful the book is. So cliched!
I’m going to have to do this one on one of my “off” days. I don’t feel grown-up either, and I’m much older than you. People who are grown-up are dull, don’t you think?
For me, that book is If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller. I remember reading your review and thinking “yes, this is what I wish I’d thought and felt while reading this book”. But unfortunately it just didn’t work for me.
I really enjoyed reading your answers to the meme, and I hope next year brings you everything you hope for and more.
This is how I’d complete the sentence: Next year I hope to be living in the same place as my boyfriend at long last!
Its fun to be the youngest, isn’t it? I’m 23 (almost 24), and I’ve been working for the past 2 1/2 years. It was interesting when I was 21 explaining to people why they had to listen to what I said. I pretty much didn’t tell anyone my age. That seemed to work the best.
“Ageing” is the British spelling….I find myself doing the same thing after just one year in Australia.
I started In Cold Blood and then decided I didn’t want to read it. Just not for me right now.
I guess I’d have to say “next year I hope my son will want to be toilet trained.” Yeah. Life gets really exciting with a kid!
“when I was flying home at age 20, I was sitting in the emergency exit row. a flight attendant came over, and said “honey, how old are you?” she thought I was younger than 15!”
This totally happened to me a few months ago, and I’m 25! I was like “Jeez, woman! I know I look young but at least give high school.” I’m sure as I get older I’ll appreciate that kind of thing more. :)
This is a really nice meme. I might have to steal this some time… ;)
Fun meme! I’m reading a chunkster that will take me a while to get through so I might do this one next week to fill some space. I’m just a few years older than you are so I can relate to a lot of your answers!
I really liked In Cold Blood but I expected to be blown away as well. Mostly it just left a sour taste in my mouth (because of the killers–not necessarily because of the actual writing).
Every Sunday I host a meme blog called Sunday Stealing. We steal a meme from someone. Tomorrow (10/5) we are stealing your Aging Meme. We give you dredit, give you a link and photo and invite you to participate with us in the future. Check it out. Thanks!
It’s my first visit to your site. Very interesting answers! I especially like your response about women knowing their core values. Very true. I’m playing!
I just read In Cold Blood last week, because I’m hosting a stop on the Capote in Kansas book tour and thought it would make a good companion review. I was very impressed, atually, but it’s not for everyone.
I do want to put in a good word for the mid-life crisis. All-in-all having one that involves exspensive toys is probably the best way to go. Consider the alternatives….
Hhaha I’m constantly having to tell people my age, and them going… No! Like you at grad school.
Geez, I had about a million things I wanted to comment on, but then I hit, “When I read We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch it changed my life.” and I knew I just had to ask you about it. I think that may be the most powerful book I’ve ever read. At least in the sense that it has stuck with me so strongly.