i finally got around to reading the outsiders. it's one of those books that somehow slipped through my high school education, like half of shakespeare's works, which i still haven't managed to get through. hamlet and macbeth are on my to do list. but i digress. i'm not sure what i expected of s.e. hinton, but i have to say the outsiders was a fantastic read. by a 16 year old, no less. something that eragon fails to live up to, i think, despite the wonderous world, quirky names and magical creatures christopher paolini created for us. books that open up and let you slip effortlessly into a world, wherever and whatever it may be...i wish i had that power. to create and astound.

in other news, i saw ratatouille this weekend. and now have a wicked craving for the aforementioned dish. who knew animation could inspire such a real world reaction from me? despite the "want to rip my hair out in frustration moments" (and i mean, how many animation movies don't have those?), i still loved it.  mmm, food. there was also the cutest short that rivals "for the birds" (the one that played before monster's inc.). i shall have to wait for ratatouille to come out on dvd and own it. it was quite the visually stunning affair--pixar is simply amazing.

i have painted my nails, which now sport a color called "first blush." they are uber shiny, which should be a welcome distraction tomorrow when i sit in front of the computer staring into nothingness. if only there was someone around to talk to. life would be much nicer.

it's rather frightening to think how fast the summer's gone by. soon enough, i'll be back in apartment 3D, sleeping on my favorite mint green sheets in a grapefruit scented room, watching the new fall shows on the internet to my heart's content. and worrying about the future. but that will all come in time. for now, i shall plan more trips to the drive in theatre, walks through the endless conservation lands (walden pond and thoreau's cabin, anyone?), aimless wandering through my beloved little town, and random studies of historic houses and the lush green foliage that seems so much prettier now i've realized that the world i've always known is going to disappear all too soon.