Reading Water for Chocolate

Last night, when I sat down with Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tomello, I knew I would finish the book before I moved from my orange, but not quite Hermes, sofa. With reading water and a couple of chocolates at my side, I moved through the pages like a shopper at Covent Garden. The story included one section which was a surprise to me; of course, I cannot share this chapter as it might risk the storyline. The book, like my chocolate, was decadent, and I could not put it down. The author made a reference to Sherlock Hermes. (I read Holmes prior to Birkin which just further proves that books seem to find the right time to be read. Additionally, anyone who uses puns in their titles, well, I like them.)

Anyway, I should move from the handbag to a reminder of this week's GBC meeting. Discussion will address The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Get your fly swatters ready.

Pursing my Lips

One of the best things about spending a month in France is that I can now navigate the Hermes website en français. (On the flip side, I think I will now be receiving SCNF newsletters for life.) Skills like these are bad for budgets; luckily my will power is (mostly, occasionally) strong in these areas. If I had to pick a weakness, I would choose shoes over bags, but reading Bringing Home the Birkin has awakened my inner girl and subsequently my perusal of Hermes. Will I ever own a Birkin? Probably not. After all, I am fairly practical and clumsy, so the two of these do not combine to invest in an item that I would carry on my wrist rather than one I would hang on my wall. Still, I am fascinated by the fascination for a singular sac à main.

Sign Here Please

I spend quite a bit of time reading contracts these days. I cannot remember which came first, the contracts or the engagement to an attorney. Ah, enter the termination clause...

My contract recommendations:
1) know why you are getting into an agreement in the first place
2) do not enter into an agreement without knowing how you are getting out
3) file an agreement in a semi-logical place - "under the stack" does not apply
4) arbitration is expensive - just flip for it
5) acts of God - these are a sign (see point 2 above)
6) if you have to refer to an agreement, the relationship (business or otherwise) was not on solid footing

If any of the above require additional clarity, consult a GBC attorney. We have a few.

A Clean Slate

A guy visits Barcelona and subsequently decides that this (beautiful, art-filled, amazing, dancing) city should be his new home. Highly improbable. I mean, really, would anyone just stop what they are doing, take a risk to travel, and then make life decisions which would radically change the course of their lives? Inconceivable. Well, maybe not.

The author, who incidentally has a love of first edition works, takes the experience as a fresh start. He rids his life of the unnecessary and then finally the not so necessary if it means one can live longer in Barcelona...and so it begins.

Okay, so perhaps I identify with the character a bit. Needless to type, I have enjoyed the first few chapters of the book.