Becca’s World

Thanks, Jen, for posting this on your blog.

PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I’m not cute or built to suit a model’s fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I’m telling lies.
I say
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It’s the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say
It’s in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It’s in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

I changed to Windows XP Pro this weekend, and just upgraded my WordPress software as well. I’m on a roll!

As for the rest of my little world, here’s an update:

Reading – Still working on a re-read of The Gates of Zion by Brock and Bodie Thoene. Not sure why I’m not as engaged this time around. Gave up on The Personifid Project, a contest prize from TitleTrakk.com. It seemed promising and intriguing at the beginning, but after a while I guess my brain just didn’t feel like trying to understand the world the author had created. Maybe if it had been a little more like this one I could have related? Also found the dialogue unrealistic in spots, and that’s one of my big hang-ups about novels.

I did finish the second Splinter Cell novel, despite its so-so writing. I suppose Sam Fisher grew on me through osmosis as my husband played the video games, and I wanted to stick with the story because of that. It definitely wasn’t slow-paced.

I have Jennifer Crusie, Christine Feehan and Ruth Rendell out from the library, so I should have pleasant reading ahead if friends’ recommendations match up with my tastes.

TV Shows – Enjoying the new episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Gilmore Girls” was fun again. “The O.C.” seemed like it could have ended with the most recent show, but we’ll see what the writers have in store for February. I like the series, yet I don’t think I’ll be too sad to see it go.

Movies – I’ve been checking out videotapes from years past more than newer movies. Most I love once again, but there have been a couple that don’t live up to my expectations. Just like books, I guess.

AustenBlog

Dictionary.com – so helpful when proofreading the newspaper before it goes to press

Google.ca – also quite handy at work, especially when I want to look like I know everything

Zap2it.com

I had some trouble with my computer, but I think I’ve got it back on track now. In the meantime, I’ve been working on stories, reading novels and watching movies – my usual repertoire of recreational activities.

I managed to catch “The Real Jane Austen” on TV last week. I’ve picked up some Austen knowledge in the ten years or so since I first read “Pride & Prejudice,” but it was nice to be filled in on details of her upbringing and society in her day. Definitely shed some light on her plot choices and the way that her characters react to their circumstances.

I finished Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann on the weekend, and loved it. I’m often wary of buying novels because I’ve been disappointed many times before and hate feeling that I’ve wasted my money. Thankfully, that didn’t happen this time. I’m very grateful to Kristen for giving me a great read.

I have a selection of several movies from my collection that I’ve been wanting to watch again, so I’ve filled the mid-season TV break with that activity. Choosing which one should be first was a bit difficult, so I’m just letting my mood determine things.

On my to-do list of “projects” and fun: scan more photos from my collection and upload them to my photo gallery; visit the library for reading material, hopefully with something new so my list of favourite authors can grow a little longer; and add to my novel-to-be, including a new subplot that came to me last night.