Adult Reading

Somehow in life I've ended up with a group of highly intelligent, thoughtfully well informed friends. Trust me, this is not a "like attracts like"scenario. I find the news depressing and politics infuriating. However, I'm also aware it's important I'm mindful of, and knowledgable about, both. Thanks to  a few excellent online newsletters and, if I don't get cocky, I come across reasonably informed on current events and politics.
The one area I've always failed in though is literature.
Ironically I'm a literature major. I read, and appreciated, many of the greats in college. That was it though. When I graduated I swore I would never read another depressing, cynical, heart wrenching, vodka inducing story again. And I haven't.
I have never read a book that made it onto NPR, a famous talk show or New York Times reading list. Which is fine by me. When everyone else was discussing Life of Pi or The Sixth Extinction I happily  congratulated myself on, yet again, avoiding a depressing couple of evenings. Tuppence Beresford and Ms Fisher would never lead me so astray.
Lately though I've begun to wonder if I shouldn't at least make an effort to find well written and informative books I can enjoy. With that in mind I followed up on a suggestion from my father-in-law  to read So We Read On by Maureen Corrigan, a critique of Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Out of all my reading in high school and college The Great Gatsby had been my favorite of the Paxil supporting stories. (For those of you who find it uplifting, you are a better person than I am.)
So yay for me, I'm half way through and may even finish it. In fact, last night I had opportunity to bring my reading up in conversation and I have to admit, it felt pretty good.
Now I just have to keep track of who I've already mentioned it to...

I'm busy.. for the next 12 Sundays

I'm a huge football fan. I was raised on it, taught my friends about it, and watched it whenever and wherever possible. This includes all vacations, my first weekend away with hubby (then boyfriend) and our honeymoon in St Thomas. A football game was the first place I met most of my husband's extended family, and it was after a playoff game he told my parents he was going to marry me.

About three years ago my husband's aunt and uncle realized all of us were texting each other during the Raven's games. So why not watch together and save ourselves time and carpal tunnel? Since then we (aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, siblings, bridge club members) get together for football, catch up and share food whenever the Ravens are playing. (i.e. every Sunday September through December.)

Oddly I've found this difficult for the rest of my social life. Sunday brunch? Sure! At 8am. Cheap pool at Frazier's Sunday evening? I'll rack if you break, in January. People don't seem to take it well when you explain you'd essentially rather watch a sport than spend time with them.

Still, what can I say? I love these times. I love the group cheers and group cussing.  I love watching people grow older, marry, add new family to the group. I love the teasing, the arguments about which players are worth the hype. I love watching those dragged along learn to understand the game. I love staying connected to people I care deeply about. Oh yes, I love football.

HumpFest!

So this last Friday night my husband and I went to an amateur porn film festival called HumpFest.  A friend invited us and, hell, I've never been to a porn film festival, so why not right?

Which brings us to Friday night and me staring at my closet. What exactly does one wear to an amateur porn film festival? After tossing aside the mini skirt and 6" heels, I ended up opting for night-on-the-town look with just a touch of leather in a choker and cuff.  It's hard to find that sweet spot of "I'm edgy enough to be perfectly comfortable watching porn with a room full of strangers, but not so edgy I do this every night."

On the way there hubby and I hypothesized on what kind of people, besides apparently us, go to an amateur porn film festival. Would it be mostly college age kids? Perhaps sad looking men in their sixties? Artistic types who see sex as the ultimate art form? 

The first floor of the building is a Belgium beer hall, so we went up the stairs, through a set of double doors, and down a well lit hallway. At the end of which was a small group of people dressed in a lot of black. The females had perfectly winged eyeliner. (I find his intimidating as I'm pretty sure it's a skill you only obtain after deals with Satan.)   

It wasn't the gallery though, and we were directed  around the corner into a hallway not as brightly lit, with blank walls and threadbare carpet. At the end was a narrow staircase leading up to a dimly lit landing. Well, I couldn't say I hadn't been prepared. My ever supportive husband just grinned and motioned me up the stairs. 

As it turns out there's a very cute art gallery space up those stairs. Currently showcasing tastefully erotic art. Everyone milling around the room looked just like everyone milling about on the street below. Not a single creepy or judgmental person in the bunch. 

In the end the films were creative and funny. The audience appreciative and relaxed. I'm really looking forward to my next porn festival.