Good and Bad

It’s 73 degrees and breezy at The Compound, which is our version of fall. I’ve opened up all the windows to enjoy it, and it feels wonderful.

Which is a good thing, because today I cried when I opened my power bill. Instead of going down, like it usually does this time of year, and in spite of the fact that all central air at The Compound was shut down for three days during the Rita scare, the bill was even higher than last month’s.

Usually the “winter months,” and I use that term loosely, provide my relief from high utility bills, but I’ve read that our natural gas bills are expected to be astronomical this season.

Sad, because while most people keep their thermostats in the low to mid seventies, in summer we keep it on 82 and in winter on 68. I don’t know how people with huge houses pay their bills.

P.S. I wonder what salaries and bonuses CEOs and upper management at utility companies are getting this year and if they are comparable to those of the oil company executives…

All that glitters…

Occasionally when I need something familiar for a quick read, I take down Dennis Hensley’s book Screening Party. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a collection of (somewhat fictionalized) articles he wrote based on movie nights with his friends, and it includes their witty commentary while watching such movies as Pretty Woman, Jaws, The Sound of Music, Body Guard, and many others. Over the course of the book, the reader gets attached to these friends and their individual personalities, and some of their quips are The. Best. Dialogue. Ever.

The last time I grabbed the book, I reread the first couple of pages of the Glitter chapter. Tonight I picked up the book again, and it reminded me that I’d never actually seen Mariah Carey’s movie. Fortunately, because of Dennis’s book, Tim bought the DVD long ago, and he was game to watch Glitter (again) with me.

Now that I’ve actually seen the movie, I not only re-laud Dennis Hensley’s brilliance, but I realize again that Tim is a truly wonderful, self-sacrificing friend. I just hope Whisper’s career didn’t end up in the (g)litter box.

Bonus Photo for Tim fans

We sold our first book in 2000, and it came out in October of 2001 (happy birthday, Daniel and friends!), so I guess the first time all four TJB writers were in the same place at the same time was in the spring of 2001. I thought it would be a good idea to get some publicity photos, and my friend Sarena recommended a really excellent Houston photographer.

Continue reading “Bonus Photo for Tim fans”

Get your photos in!

First it was these two great sports.

Then we did this one when Steve was visiting Houston.

And now it’s been taken to a whole new level.

I’ve been trying to think of something new for my page on Tim’s site. I think reader photos are an excellent idea. Please dust those cameras off, don’t worry if it’s a good hair day (I haven’t had one in years), and send us photos of yourself (or any animal or stranger on the street) reading THREE FORTUNES IN ONE COOKIE.

You’ll be famous! Well, sort of. You won’t be as famous as this guy.

Dentophobia?

Fear of dentists? Not me. I love my dentist. His entire office staff is wonderful. Even his office is wonderful. It’s located in one of Montrose’s historic houses. The windows overlook a landscaped back yard with a fountain. The dental chairs are comfortable. The music is classical. It’s almost a treat to go to the dentist!

Until today, when I took my mother to her appointment, and Jack the Office Manager said the most frightening thing to me. I quote:

Today’s my sister’s birthday. She’s forty-nine. She recently had twins after going through her first pregnancy!

Thanks, Jack. Now I have tocophobia.