poufiness of various sorts

[constance]

For two days now, I have been bringing Sarah Caudwell's first novel to work with me, planning to embark on a reread of her woefully short series of detective novels. I'm really looking forward to it, but activities have conspired against me on both days, and so the book is sitting forlornly in my desk drawer right now, and I am forlorn as well, thinking of it and wishing I'd thought to bring it home with me.

I mention this because I have an ulterior motive: every now and again I try to interest someone, anyone, in these books, which are, if you like piffling English comedies of manners or epistolary novels or classic-style whodunits or sophisticated drawing-room comedies, and I do like all these things, utterly captivating. It's odd that no one ever seems to believe me when I proclaim their perfection; like Linus's pumpkin patch, I must not be quite sincere enough--or maybe it really is just that the thought of clever, sophisticated little pouffes of British mystery novels makes most people break out in hives--but here I am trying again, because like Linus, I cannot stop believing that one day everything will fall into place, and all my efforts will be rewarded by the conversion of a like-minded soul.

I guess, all gratuitous Peanuts references aside, that what I mean is this: I really like Sarah Caudwell. I think there are several people on my friendslist who'd quite like her too. That's it, really.

:::

Have I mentioned that I began a diet (or, as my boss insists on calling it, a Lifestyle Change) on Friday? Well, I did. So far I've eaten a lot of salad and laid off the fries, and though this does not seem to have made any notable difference so far--it's hard to tell, really, when I tossed my scale a couple of moves back--I have hopes. And more importantly, I feel better. So much more smug! So much more virtuous! So much more willing to tell anyone who listens how healthy I am being!

Well, you know. Except for the BottleCaps, of course. But really! I am only eating them a few at a time! No, really! I can't let them go to waste!

:-/

:::

I have just thought of what I can do to remedy my unfortunate problem of not having Thus Was Adonis Murdered at hand. I will begin the second book instead! Normally I could no more contemplate this madness than I could raise Ms Caudwell from the grave to write more, but after all, I have read the books before, in their proper order. And after all, I really do like her an awful lot.

Comments

[alkaloid.livejournal.com]

I like your Sev drawing. :D

Am I one of those persons that might like Ms. Cauldwell?

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D

Hmmmmmm, you know, I'm not completely sure if you would or not! If you like Very Dry, Slightly Uptight British Humor (as opposed to the silly or rude sort), I think so, but otherwise, I'd give it a miss.

[laurelwood.livejournal.com]

Yay for Lifestyle Changes! I'm do for a renewal on my sporadic grasp of the Healthy Lifestyle myself. It's a damned shame, but my best intentions to eat right and exercise always go to hell in a handbasket over summer, making me roly-poly during the very months that we're all showing the most skin. Then I get a good dose of willpower around September, and I'm svelte again for Thanksgiving and Heavy Sweaters. It makes no sense, but there you go. At any rate, it's nice, isn't it, the spring in your step a few days of virtue will give you? And, as you point out, it's not just feeling better, but smug, too! There's nothing like a good dose of smugness to combat the cringeworthiness of wobbly body parts viewed accidentally in department store mirrors. (Speaking for myself here, of course!)

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Oh my God. I can't remember the last time I looked at my reflection in a dressing room mirror. I'd much rather buy clothes and try them on at home and bring them back if they're not right.

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

Just seeing the Edward Gorey cover makes me think I might like it. I'm easy that way.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha, the covers are exactly why I picked them up in the first place. But I think you would like them! You were one of the people I was specifically thinking about when I made this post.

[sister-liz.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, the Bottlecap and vegetable diet, I heard of it but I'm sticking to my tons of chocolate and the odd apple or two meal plan.

Actually, I spoke to my mother on the phone this morning and she was all enthusiastic about this new plan that focused on having you swallow about six pills a day that would supply you with all of your vitamin needs and then you could just go crazy, eating whatever you want. This might be the "lifestyle change" for me.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

>:O Do not mock the BottleCap and Vegetable diet! It has worked wonders for some.

The pills, now, that would not be for me. I don't take pills of any sort if I can possibly avoid it.