"The Clan of the Cave Bear" by Jean M. Auel

   

"The Clan of the Cave Bear" by Jean M. Auel.  Don't let the hardcover of this novel intimidate you, its nowhere near the length of Ann Karenina. This novel is unlike any other, here we have a beginning of civilization story which embeds cavemen with modern characteristics. 
 A cave woman struggles to show her independence, as a woman, in the stone age when modern conveniences, like houses, grocery stories and social networking are out of the picture.   

The cavemen and cave women in this story were separated according to clans and how evolved each clans physical appearance seemed to be.  Some clans would literally have more hair on their backs, seeming more cavemen like then other clans, some clans would also lack language skills. Some clans would use women as sexual objects and would exchange their women mates readily according to their desire. (discographies)
The female cave woman, Ayla, proves to be the strongest: abandoned by her original clan at a young age Ayla came to live with the clan called "the others".  Her blue-eyes and pale skin would contrast with theres, and "the others" would use her as a slave and abuse her; calling her names and pairing her up with the worst man in the tribe.  Ayla's strong demeanor gave her a willingness to never give up, in order to survive for her daughter's sake.(the global Dig)

Bossy Pants (A Memoir) by Tina Fey

   "Bossy Pants (A Memoir) by Tina Fey". Writing with as much confidence as the best of them, it's of no surprise that Tina Fey can come up with the best Sarah Palin impersonation ever thought possible.    

But its hard being a female comedian, Tina makes this clear, in her memoir when talks about photo shoots and just what women are trying to eliminate when it comes to their looks and photo shopping.  These are just some of the funniest women body parts she mentions: lunch lady arms, crotch biscuits, spider veins, bad nail beds, too thin lashes, saddle bags, breasts too big, breasts too small, one big breast bigger than the other, one breast smaller than the other  (how these two are different she doesn't know) nasal labia folds, calves too big, no calves, kankles, .  

When she is discussing improvisation and acting, Fey says "don't be afraid to contribute, its your responsibility, make sure your contributing something to the discussion, your interests are worthwhile."  

I'm reminded of my own improvisation classes, in high school, and I showed up to these stage practices with the other nerdy theatre kids, and how I watched a kid named Sanders try to turn a hulla-hoop into something hilarious, and it was so funny watching him stumble with this task.  (this kid is now teaching as an assistant professor at Alabama University- go figure)

I enjoyed when Tina talks about the first time she was called a CU^T by a coworker and she yells back, "Nope, I have two parents who love me, and I was not born into an alcoholic home, so you don't have a right to call me that."  This is just one of Fey's principles that helps her cope with adversity.(the Global Dig)

Sandra-Your whatever-kind-you-wanted PITA BREAD

Sandra was working feverishly hard on this interview of the "Big Bangers Deli"  . Looking through her notes on tablets, and listening to her hand held recorder at the same time, she was surprised how useful it had been to walk through the market's aisles and talk about the various food items on her recorder.  Freezers strowed in the back; curry powers and Indian premade sauces in boxes, within the center aisles.  Lettuce and vegetables on the other side of the market, in total, the market itself only spanning 500 feet, to squeeze all those necessary items for so many patrons.

She remembers some unique items that she wrote down with such ferocity, that her pencil almost broke with the pressure.  "Creme Cheese" their was plenty of creme cheese she remembered!!!!!!!!! And olives, olives made her want to vomit, the plamentos staring out of her like alien eyes... but she knew her reader's would appreciate how it was so unique, how in one corner of the market there were glass window displays just for olives and how if you wanted, you could have a deli worker scoop some of those fine smaller-than-an-egg specimens into a plastic bowl for your taking...Not to mention  the amount of pita bread and nuun that was available in bags for customers choice; you had had your garlic, your hummus, your wheat, your whatever-kind-you-wanted, pita bread at your disposal..