Sharky Speaks

to insanity…and beyond!

Archive for category the reads

Quarter-life crisis.

May 6

Posted by Sharky in charlotte, deep, money, the reads, tmi | No Comments

Seriously. It’s time to get up off my ass and get serious. I’ve been bouncing around these meaningless jobs for far too long and I’m just sick of it.
What would I do if money weren’t a factor? If staying in Charlotte weren’t a factor (snort)? If I could do anything?

The answer used to be dance. Sadly, I’m 25 and the talent has piqued. While I can certainly still teach, Broadway is no longer a viable option. I know, and I was thisclose!

It’s simple. Write. It’s what I’ve always done, even as a kid. I have probably…between 20 and 30 journals. That’s over one per year! I would go to some fabulous grad school program and spend all my time writing.

I was reading (in Costco Magazine, no less) Emily Giffin’s recent interview, in which she stated that she practiced law even though she was unhappy because she didn’t think writing was a realistic option.  Well, hmm.  Turned out…it was.  So I’m done wasting my time when I know what I want to do.  Articles are being written and are on their way to magazine submission and (I don’t care how long it takes) publication. 

I don’t care how many hours I have to babysit, teach dance, whatever it takes.  Apparently the working world does NOT inspire me since I did NOT write a single lick of legitimate fiction while working at that last dump.   And I’m sooooo f’ing sick of blogging, oy.  It’s gotta go.

I’m on a mission, people.   So if you don’t hear from me in awhile…it’s not cause I’m dead.

And Dad?  Remember that time you told me that I’d never write a bestselling novel?  You will EAT THOSE WORDS, my friend.

Blog mother FAIL.

Apr 1

Posted by Sharky in charlotte, musing, pic, the reads | No Comments

I’ve been neglecting my poor Sharky blog. 

So this one time I completely ruined the blog and thought I had it erased it forever (thank God for Bluehost support) and I took out some of the photo files while doing so. 

Going through and finding the appropes pictures – I’ve fixed some bach party posts (cause I think everybody wants to see that) and some other fun-stuff posts – but be patient while I try to salvage my behbeh.

I just realized I have to also go through and UNpassword protect a lot of entries that are harmless, like my trip to Israel and um..the whole year of 2008.  Well, and – I don’t need to remind you that if you don’t like what you’re reading, just go back to your life without MY blog. Jesus Christ.

I have some fun happenings going on and a LOT to say, so stay tuned.

My husband hates JSF.

Feb 9

Posted by Sharky in charlotte, deep, mac, musing, pic, the reads | No Comments

I’m sure Shaney now officially loathes Jonathan Safran Foer, and not just because I think his astonishing brainpower makes him an überbabe.

Also, reading his book has simply reinforced everything I have always thought of the meat and dairy industries, NOT put thoughts in my head. But JSF puts it bluntly. How can you possibly keep eating meat knowing what you know? The Hubs keeps saying, “Ignorance is bliss,” but I say that ignorance is no excuse. Especially when you’re not in fact ignorant.

Ok, on to same topic but a bit more lighthearted. We’re (I’m) checking out Lakeview Farms for milk delivery.

So Hubs is on the phone with his sis last night, talking about how I’ve hired the local milkman and expressing his frustration (about the cost increase).  We did a double-blind taste-test and both chose the milkman’s milk, however.  While there’s relatively little difference in taste, it’s not about that.  So check out some of his quotes and our conversation.

Husband: I mean, yeah it’s double the cost.  Why?  I dunno, double because the cows lie around in hammocks.  And they milk each other.

Husband: According to my wife, many of the animals while on the line to slaughter defecate themselves in pain and terror.  Mmmmm, defecation.  What?  It gets rinsed off!  Listen, animals are delicious.

Me: Well, I got to talk to the president of the milk company.
Husband:  OOooooh, she talked to the president.  It’s clearly a small operation.
Me: …like 400 cows.

This caused him to be in tears laughing for five minutes.  I don’t know why.  I guess because I made it sound like the cows are employees?  Shrug.  Well they certainly don’t get medical benefits at most places.  EEO yall.

Also, yesterday was The Macker’s 2nd birthday!  Don’t worry, we didn’t throw a doggie bday party.  But he’s so cute :o)  Here he is sportin his performance fleece and napping on my bed at my parents’ house in Dallas (over the holidays).

A case for vegetarianism.

Feb 5

Posted by Sharky in deep, jew, musing, the reads | No Comments

Listen, I like chicken crescents as much as the next cat (chicken, cheese, onion stuffed inside Pillsbury crescents, it’s amazing).  And I never thought I’d be someone who would actively promote NOT EATING MEAT.  Break out the Doc Martens and buy me a Home Depot gift card, we have a newborn vegan lesbian on our hands.  Or something.

If you have even a sliver of a heart, how can you not be a vegetarian?  I’ve always had issues with meat.  I think there’s all kinds of shit in it that causes all kinds of other shit (hello, 8-year-old girls getting their periods and uhh, autism, have we met?).  Not to mention dairy products, but cheese is so delicious.  I’ll come back to that one another time.

Can you please watch?  Don’t even try to make a case for eating  meat.  Stop lying to yourself. There are plenty of other sources of protein that are just as tasty (nom nom nom, peanut butter!)

Your Local Factory Farm

You know that phrase, “You are what you eat”???  Well, you’re diseased and tortured. Enjoy your KFC.

And I know you all know I’m reading JSF’s Eating Animals

Yes, of course it’s amazing, because of course he’s a genius.  And OF COURSE it all makes sense.

Eating Animals

I think I have attention defici….wait, what?

Sep 30

Posted by Sharky in charlotte, mac, musing, the reads | No Comments

I have a hard time paying attention when I’m in the zone. 

I’ll occasionally nod or act like I understand when really….I have no idea what you just said to me.

“Christa, you need to reimburse me for four steak dinners I bought you when you were drunk last weekend.  I know you don’t eat meat, but trust me, you ate them.  And also two lobster.”
“Oh…ok.”

Glazed-over eyes.

Like when I was thinking really hard about my work day and Shane and I were having quiet time on our comfy bed and I told Macker to get off my piano.  I mean….pillow. 

Or when I was on a flight recently and the man next to me said something.  I said, “Oh, I’m sorry, were you speaking to me?” and he replied, “No….I asked the flight attendant something about five minutes ago.”  He probably added, “you freak!” in his head. 

Shane’s used to it.  He knows I’m in the twilight zone (um…literally and figuratively, since I’m currently re-reading the Twilight series in preparation for the New Moon movie release) when I’m displaying catatonic/autistic behavior.  Parents, did I ever freak you out with this behavior?  For my entire life, I’ve always stared really hard straight ahead when I’ve been thinking.  For minutes.  Lots of minutes.  I can’t hear anything but my own thoughts.  That, and I’m trying to utilize my telekinetic abilities.  Leave me alone. 

In addition to re-reading Twilight series (currently on Eclipse), I went to the library and checked out The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which has gotten excellent reviews and has been recommended to me from several people. 

File:Thegirlwiththedragontattoo.jpg

 I love the library.  Specifically, the one in “downtown” Matthews, NC.  It’s lovely.  I love that it’s called Matthews Town Hall and Library. 

Plus, it’s on the way home from work.

Book o’ the morning to ya, Tilly!

Sep 10

Posted by Sharky in pic, the reads | No Comments

Currently reading The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf.

I like the way she writes, but the chapters from different perspectives get confusing.  Especially when there are errors in main characters’ names.   Petra Gregory’s father is named Martin, and she’s referred to as Petra Martin in the middle of the book.  Weird.

I looooooooove the name Petra (pay-truh) though.   Nice and German and odd.  

It’s gettin’ good.  I won’t say anything else.

In other totally relevant news,

Jul 24

Posted by Sharky in musing, pic, the reads | 3 Comments

I’m sorry, but Harry Potter (aka Daniel Radcliffe) is one hot piece. 

Oh relax, he’s 20, it’s totes legit. 

I TOLD Shanester HP looked RIPPED in Half-Blood Prince last weekend.  Anybody wanna go see it again?  Promise not to drool…. ;o)

Protected: Obsessions of July…

Jul 14

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Oh. My. God. Pun. Intended.

Jun 13

Posted by Sharky in god, jew, musing, the reads | No Comments

How did I not know about Christopher Hitchens before now?  He is amazing.

I’m only about halfway through his book but it is in.cred.i.ble!

Here are some quotes I dog-eared to get us started…..

“How much vanity must be concealed-not too effectively at that-in order to pretend that one is the personal object of a divine plan?  How much self respect must be sacrificed in order that one may squirm continually in an awareness of one’s own sin?  How many needless assumptions must be made, and how much contoriton is required, to receive every new insight of science and manipulate it so as to “fit” with the revealed words of ancient man-made deities?  How many saints and miracles and councils and conclaves are required in order first to be able to establish a dogma and then-after infinite pain and loss and absurdity and cruelty-to be forced to rescind one of those dogmas?  God did not create man in his own image.  Evidently, it was the other way about, which is the painless explanation for the profusion of gods and religions, and the fratricide both between and among faiths, that we see all about us and that has so retarded the development of civilization.” (Page 8….hahahahhahah that’s only Page 8, folks). 

A note on that.  Seriously.  Is your life so empty….nay, is your brain so empty that you can’t accept SCIENTIFIC FACT of evolution?  Religion is a crutch for the WEAK.  I know you’re thinking, “But Christa, you’re a Jew!”  Yes, that’s true.  But I recognize that this is my religion, and lucky for me, reform Judaism allows me to maintain culture and tradition while believing whatever the hell I want.  I keep kosher, we sometimes go to temple, we definitely observe high holidays, but yeah.  I get it.  Religion FUELS hatred.  WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON IN THIS WORLD?!  READ THE NEWS PEOPLE!!!  Google that shit.  And also, take your meds. 

Ok.  Next. 

“The level of intensity [of religion] fluctuates according to time and place, but it can be stated as a truth that religion does not, and in the long run cannot, be content with its own marvelous claims and sublime assurances.  It must seek to interfere with the lives of nonbelievers, or heretics, or adherents of other faiths.  It may speak about the bliss of the next world, but wants POWER in this one.  This is only to be expected.  It is, after all, wholly man-made.  And it does not have the confidence in its own various preachings even to allow coexistence between different faiths” (Page 17). 

YEAH, LEAVE ME ALONE.  GET OVER IT, I DON’T BELIEVE IN JESUS.  AND NEITHER DOES THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD.  I DO NOT BELIEVE IN HEAVEN, I DO NOT BELIEVE IN HELL, AND ANY GOD IN HEAVEN WHO WOULD SENTENCE THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD TO ETERNAL DAMNATION FOR NOT BELIEVING IN HIS “SON” IS DEFINITELY NOT A GOD I WANT TO BE AROUND.  YOU’RE ALL CRAZY!

Ok final quote from this portion.

“One must state it plainly.  Religion comes form the period of human prehistory where nobody-not even the mighty Democritus who concluded that all matter was made from atoms-had the smallest idea what was going on.  It comes from the bawling and fearful INFANCY of our species, and is a babyish attempt to meet our inescapable demand for knowledge (as well as for comfort, reassurance, and other infantile needs).  Today the least educated of my children knows much more about the natural order than any of the founders of religion, and one would like to think-though the connection is not a fully demonstrable one-that this is why they seem so uninterested in sending fellow humans to hell” (Page 64).

Ok. Yeah.  Well.  Like I said, I’m not good at articulating my feelings on the subject because honestly it gets my blood boiling, how ignorant most people can be.  Grow up.  GAH!

Still agnostic. NOT SURE?!

Jun 9

Posted by Sharky in god, musing, the reads | No Comments

As mentioned in a previous post, I’m currently reading a book that’s absolutely riveting.

God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything

book2.jpg

It’s essentially everything I’ve ever believed but been unable to put into words, for fear of repercussions (hello?!  Salman Rushdie much?!) or because I’m just not as articulate as Christopher Hitchens. 

I have a few passages I’d like to post from here but honestly I’m simply too tired. now. 

Gute Nacht!

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