Book review: The Storied Life of A.J. FiKRY

Freeds book rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5 stars) 

Freeds moods felt while reading: relaxed, fun, warm-hearted, loving

I found this book through a Yelp book club posting. I never went to the book club, but I was looking for a new book to read. I normally enjoy non-fictions because they make me feel productive. The way I've always seen it, if I'm going to invest so much time into reading I might as well read something that could be useful (i.e., ready true stories are useful?). True stories are also much more fascinating than fiction anyways because supposedly that shit really happened in real life, which is usually pretty cool.  

Anyway when I saw this book on the Yelp book club posting I added it onto my Amazon cart so I wouldn't forget the name. About a couple weeks later I decided to purchase a small desk mirror for myself and forgot that the book was still in the cart. So when my package arrived in the mail I was surprised to find the book in there as well. I usually move items in my cart into my "save for later" section. Anyways, I ended up reading the book every day on the bus to and from work. It's a light, fun and relaxing book to read on the way home or in anticipation of a busy day at work. It really clears my mind from all the stressful things in life and is interesting enough that in allows me to focus on the story and the dark-attitude characters. 

The main character in the book is a dark human being with lots of negativeness in his mind ever since his wife died. His life changed when he was brought a shocking gift left by an anonymous person. It's fun reading about this negative person and seeing how his positive surroundings eventually help make things better for him. 

I like it. If you want something mindless and fun I recommend Mr. FiKRY. 

Hello. 

Today is just one of them days (that a girl goes through). And no, I'm not pms-ing, I just got finished with my cycle a few days ago. So what is it that is making me feel so BLAH? I'm hoping that writing through this blog will help me figure it out. 

1. Weather? 
So is it the not so common in southern orange california gloomy weather? I hope not. I've been working indoors in the office most of the day so that can't be it. Besides, based on the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, I shouldn't be reactive to my surroundings. Especially one as easily reactive-prone like the gloomy weather. 

Deduction - not the weather. 

2. Traveling stress? 
I'm traveling for work soon. Could it be that I'm so busy with work and am overwhelmed w/ the business of getting ready for travel? Am I reactive to my busy work schedule? If I really step back and think about it, I don't really have THAT much to do. There's a lot of little things on the list, but none of it is urgent or important that must be done right away. Aside from paying my insurance bill. But that's about it. I should be able to get it done. Besides, I'm taking Friday off to relax. 

Deduction - MIGHT be traveling stress. Must control. 

3. Love bug? 
Could it be that I'm sad the one I admire does not admire me back? It could be it. But could it also be, that once I determined he didn't admire me I had a much stronger admiration for him? Historically, I do have a tendency to carry that flawed trait. I sit here I wonder what I could have done differently to make our fate work out together. But I guess what's done is done. And it is what is it is. Those should be my motto. I have a couple awesome guys who seem to admire the heck out of me. And whom I admire back. But it's hard to appreciate when there's something out there that you want but cannot have. Man, human nature fucking sucks. But, and I revert back to Mr. Covey, humans can control emotions. We can fight our animal instincts, think, and do the right thing. We are human. Lets take advantage of it. 

Deduction - MIGHT be the love bug. Must control. 

Fuck. Man. I just feel like cursing. And blaming. so I can curse. 

Colored pencil class.

Restaurant recommendation: Dolores Restaurant & Bakery

Who: Freda and James
What: Dolores Restaurant & Bakery
Where: West Los Angeles (Santa Monica Blvd. & Barrington?)
Why#1: Vanilla & strawberry hot fudge sundae topped off w/ pineapples. Yum.
Why#2: Hash browns. Hot w/ just the perfecto amount of crisp.

Note:
The hot fudge on the ice cream is literally "hot fudge." None of that McDonald's chocolate or Quick cheap shit. Real, thick, creamy, rich fudge that hardens when the heat cools off. Real fudge w/ crispy treats mixed in it. Omg right?

Our new fav diner. Not that we had a fav diner before this but whatevs.

<3,
Freeds

Asia De Cuba

Last night, I went out for dinner at Asia de Cuba to celebrate a friend's bachelorette party. After enjoying the entrees and a few drinks, my friend and I noticed a half-empty bottle of Voss water on the table. Voss is a fancy-schmacy water brand that can cost up to $20 for a bottle at an upscale restaurant like Asia De Cuba. Apparently, the waiter had sneaked in the bottle after we had specifically requested tap water when he asked us for our choice of water in the beginning of the night. My friend and I were furious because we did not want to be charged $20 for freakin' water. So she told the waiter that we asked for tap water and NOT sparkling-fancy-expensive ass water. The waiter's reply was, " Oh, I couldn't find the other water (tap water) so I just brought you guys out this one. Don't worry I won't charge you for it." 

The waiter could not find the tap water. Okay yeah.  

Beloit

Linh & Freeds