You and the Little Mermaid can both go f**k yourselves!

It should come as no surprise that listening to This American Life’s Father’s Day episode at work was probably not a great idea. Actually, it wasn’t that bad until they got to a story about a girl whose father was worried about her going to school in New York after the 9/11 attacks. He decided to build her an anti-terrorist attack kit. This grabbed me immediately because it is TOTALLY the kind of thing my dad would have done. She tells the story of him building the kit over a period of time and then having it at school for a couple of years (not opening it) and then – knowing there was $200 inside – she opened it for the cash because she was going overseas. I was crying before she even recited the letter her dad had left inside. Hell, I was choked up before SHE was choked up.

That story was the only story that really punched me in the gut and I felt like I needed to rebound with something funny, so I looked up an episode I’ve heard referenced a couple of times on TAL. The Greatest Phone Message in the World. Go to Buddy Picture and press play. Here’s a hint, it involves my blog post title. Ultimately what’s just as funny as the phone message is the story of the guy and his friend who actually TOLD him about the message and all their interplay during the story. Definitely worth the listen.

I also loved Simon Pegg on The Nerdist podcast this week. He completely bungles a funny Pippa Middleton joke but it’s so charming it stays funny. For laugh out louds, however, you CANNOT BEAT the latest Doug Loves Movies with Jon Hamm, Bill Simmons (sports writer) and Adam Scott (Community). I was laughing so hard at work that some of my colleagues thought I’d sustained brain damage. Note to self: you’re wearing EARBUDS. THEY can’t hear the voices in your head!

Right now I’m relaxing on my deck, enjoying a Pimm’s Cup and this gorgeous weather (photos in Twitter feed to the right). Summer here is absolutely the best summer I’ve ever experienced. Pimm’s Cups make it better. For those drinking along at home:

In a Collins glass about half filled with ice (pint glasses work too),

1 shot Pimm’s liquor (No.1 is what I’m using)

3 shots lemonade

float of 7Up on top

Delicious and super refreshing.

I got up at 3:30 this morning to go to work and let me just tell you that there is only one acceptable reason to be up at 3:30 a.m.- if you’re still up drinking from the night before. My new alarm app (Gentle Alarm, for those who care) is brilliant and doing the best job ever of waking me up (heavy sleeper) without waking the Spouse (very light sleeper). Also nice, Guster’s Bad World as my wake-up call.

While I didn’t love getting up early, it paid off in the amount of additional work I got done and not having to race to meet my deadline. Not only that, it makes Friday a coast day. w00t!

In reading news, I’m on to Little, Big. Chelsea Handler’s My Horizontal Life was good but not great. A few parts made me snort or laugh out loud but I’m mildly disappointed given how hilarious Shane said Are You There Vodka was. I suppose that will have to be my next effort of hers.

Shades of Milk and Honey was something I had on my wishlist and received as an anniversary gift. Great stuff. If you like Austen, I predict a thorough enjoyment of this novel. It’s set in a similar time with similar society but a couple of fantastical elements to set it apart, as well as some interesting characters. Thoroughly enjoyable read, especially for summertime. On a Buy, Rent or Steal rating, I’m going to go with Buy. It’s a book I see myself reading again (much like I do Austen’s work) and a nice comfort read.