a few recommendations.

Yesterday, I did two things I’ve been wanting to do for what seems like weeks now:

1) I finished a book that wasn’t assigned for a class. It was Jennifer Weiner‘s latest novel, “Goodnight Nobody” — she’s the author who wrote the novel on which the new movie, “In Her Shoes,” was based. The latest one was just as fantastic as her others have been. As always happens with her heroines, I found myself identifying with the main character in ways that surprised me. Anyway, if you happen to enjoy the chick-lit genre, I highly recommend picking it up.

2) I FINALLY saw “Pride & Prejudice,” the one without Colin Firth. (If you haven’t seen the A&E one, you must. Now.) It was a little over two hours long and, though I went into the movie fully prepared to hate the Colin Firth replacement, as absolutely ALWAYS happens when I watch any version of P&P, I fell totally in love with his Darcy by the end. I heard two women walking out of the theater in front of me debating the relative merits of this new guy vs. Colin Firth, and I butted into their conversation by saying that the only way this new guy could have been better was if, like Colin Firth, he’d been on screen for six hours. THEN, maybe, I’d concede he was a better Darcy. Meanwhile, I’ll just acquiesce that he was good, but that my heart’s still with Colin. (cue girly sigh)

Keira Knightley was a decent Lizzie, but she smiled too much. I know that sounds ridiculous, but seriously — she had this enormously toothy smile that got a little annoying after the fiftieth smile. Jennifer Ehle’s more subdued Lizzie is much more to my taste — but for this I blame the director, not Keira.

So anyway, those were two great things to do during my little work-related mini-break in Houston!

I’m leaving for Dallas here shortly, and I just wanted to reflect for a moment on my relationship with the people at TWU’s Houston campus. Like many in Denton and Dallas, they appreciate my willingness to help them out and share my knowledge with them, but for these Web folks, it goes beyond just appreciation. All too often, our staff and faculty in Houston feel as though they’re the forgotten stepchildren of TWU, and having me here for a couple of days — regardless of how much I do or what, even, I do — always serves to make them feel as though they’re important and that their work matters. Their gratitude is palpable. It’s such a blessing.

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In FAR less positive news, I found out late last night taht our landlords from our rental house on Seabrook have found yet another way to screw with us, financially and otherwise. They are the absolute worst landlords I’ve ever in my life encountered.

Please, please, please, people. NEVER rent from or buy from Sonja Boles at Keller Williams Preston (KW Property Management). I just hope Google picks this up in search results so prospective renters will avoid them. The house on Seabrook was great, but it was SO NOT WORTH the hassle. Avoid at all costs.