To katia:
I am always going to suggest someone go to Italy…that’s just the way I am. I’ve never been further south than Florence, if you can believe it, and the next time I go I want to visit the area my family’s from (Basilicata and Puglia). I’d love to visit the vineyard that I’m pretty sure my grandfather sold (his share, at any rate) to come to the States in the 50s. Wouldn’t that be cool? And obviously the Amalfi Coast would be amazing too. So clearly I am useless there because I’m just going to keep going “Italy! Italy! Go to Italy!”
To Ashley:
I was trying to use my calling card to get a hold of you but I can’t seem to get either your home or work numbers…the cell phone works fine but it only lets me have a couple of minutes on that one. Sigh.
Anyway I got your gorgeous postcard and was thinking of you and wanted to hear your voice…I hope you check email tonight and that everything is going well…I’m very frustrated that I can’t seem to call
you! I want to hear all about everything!
To An Unnamed Agency Upon Which My Top Secret Plans Depend:
Good afternoon: I requested a second endorser’s form for my registration application a couple of weeks ago and sadly have not received it yet. Possibly it’s the horrible post office, but just in case it isn’t, I’d appreciate it very much if another could be sent to me at the following address.
To Jecca:
As I grow older I think the thing I’m starting to really see is that nothing is ever a hundred percent anything, if that makes sense at all. Does it? No? Okay.
To Mo Pie:
I was just looking at your book blog and noticed you’d read the Tombs of Atuan. I have to highly recommend that series (including the two sequels written much later, called Tehanu and then I think it’s The Other Wind). I pretty much HATE fantasy/sci-fi but I LOVE UKLeGuin so so so so so much. I wrote her a fan letter once, even. Her collection The Birthday of the World knocked me on my ass when I first read it and continues to do so when I re-read it a couple of times a year just for comfort. Likewise Always Coming Home, which is written like an ethnobiography and just is so amazing and if you have any hippie in you will be very satisfying. So, yes! Ursula K. LeGuin! She does not disappoint!
To my sister:
That sounds much better! It will be gorgeous here and maybe we’ll go see the salmon jump at the Ballard Locks, which is always fun. I have my final volunteer day on Saturday the 21st, so I would suggest either the weekend of the 6th or the 13th. And of course you’re welcome to stay as long as you like! If we feel really crazy maybe we’ll go to Canada for part of the time you’re here, wouldn’t that be fun? It would be a great time to go to Victoria…Mom and I went a couple of years ago when she was here and we just loved it. Of course there’s lots of fun stuff to do in Seattle as well. Let me know how it all works out, and of course good luck with your presentation!
To Molly:
GOOD CALL on the threesome [with Mark Ruffalo and Peter Saarsgard]. I kind of like dirty bearded Orlando Bloom, too. Not so much the blond Legolas thing. And I know it’s old school but I’m going to have to insist that Johnny Depp tap in at some point during the evening, maybe when Peter’s all “No! No more! MERCY, I BEG YOU!”
Between Kate Winslet and myself, it’s a strictly one-on-one kind of a thing. The better to peer into each other’s souls, you know.
To Amy:
It turns out that I don’t have any time off at all for Easter, so I’ll just take the 25th and the 28th off…I thought I might take a red-eye Thursday night and come back Monday afternoon…would that work for you?
To Katie:
This is just to let you know that I’m bringing three boxes of Girl Scout cookies to Girl’s Night. Yay Thin Mints!
To Sundry:
Oh my goodness! That’s so exciting! When did you find out, and how far along are you? Were you pregnant at the goth club?