I was asked to participate in a book shower for the latest version of The Daring Book Series--The Double Daring Book for Girls. The idea was fresh--instead of a review you are to challenge a friend or friends to one of the activities in the book. Did someone suggest a friendly competition? I am so there.
I invited some friends over for a happy hour with a twist this past Saturday. I just needed to decide what the competition would be. This is what first caught my eye.
Practicality reared its ugly head though as I contemplated my lack of wood and my lack of a river. I continued to peruse the offerings.
This looked interesting, but then I remembered that Lori is a math teacher. That might make for an uneven playing field.
As much as I like to argue I don't think I'm prepared to strut my stuff against a lawyer.
Maggie actually wears a sarong with regularity during the summer months, so this one's out.
Heidi the lawyer has organized softball tournaments for upwards of 80 teams. I'm not touching this one with a 10 foot raft pole.
What have we here? Spoons! Now there's a game at which I can compete. Except the last time I played I remember someone complaining about pulling back a bloody stump. It might be a little too much competition.
Back to the book.
Aha! I actually have a pool table in my very own living room.
We're on.
The competitors (the term competitor used loosely): Maggie, Lori, Heidi & Jenn
Wait a minute . . . Lori's brother got a pool table for his Bar Mitzvah? The long winters of her childhood in Rochester, New York were made more palatable by the playing of endless of billiards? She won pool tournaments in college?! This does not bode well for the rest of us.
She tried to help, she really did.
If you're unfamiliar with the game of pool, let me just say that it is not good when the other player has shot all the striped balls in and you haven't sunk a single solid colored ball. If you are familiar with pool, you're laughing your head off.
The winner and undisputed champion. What can we learn from this? Teach your girls how to play pool early (page 194 in The Double Daring Book for Girls), so they can hone their skills and put the other suburban moms to shame someday.
Check out the Daring Book for Girls web site for more info on these truly fun and uncommonly intellectually stimulating books. I'm going to get back to boning up on my two-letter Scrabble words (page 34) before my daughter and I review what to do if we're caught in quicksand (page 83) and she figures out the steps to take to become President of the United States of America (page 153).
I adore this series.
I actually learned to shoot pool from my dad; I'm not awesome but have found that I am usually better than most people think, which feels pretty good. :D
This is not, however, a challenge...
Posted by: stephanie (bad mom) | May 24, 2009 at 02:06 AM
Looks like a good time was had by all!
Makes me wanna play Spoons. Haven't done that since college!
Posted by: she | May 24, 2009 at 03:40 AM
My wife whups my azz in pool---and I have to admit, I was kinda hoping there would be a beagle or two in this post...
Posted by: gary | May 24, 2009 at 07:00 AM
Do you know that I have never played Spoons? I watched a game once, and it got so ugly that I was afraid to play!
Are all your friends so talented/smart/intimidating? Renaissance women!
Posted by: jenrantsraves | May 24, 2009 at 08:29 AM
This book sounds really interesting!
Lo can beat me with one hand at pool. So sad.
Posted by: Busy Bee Suz | May 24, 2009 at 09:08 AM
It looks like fun!
Posted by: Smalltown Mom | May 24, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Looks like good times!! How fun!! I want to see your pics when you do build that raft! :)
Posted by: Grandy | May 24, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Can boys play?
Posted by: Jason | May 24, 2009 at 12:41 PM
I LOVE playing spoons!! Sadly I always miss the ball when I play pool though... Something about that pesky hand-eye coordination stuff...
Posted by: Leslie | May 24, 2009 at 09:52 PM
I suck at pool but I am a fierce competitor. And I married a lawyer - it's not always an advantage.
Posted by: Manic Mommy | May 24, 2009 at 10:43 PM
We have the boy version of the first book, but I think my teens learned to play spoons at youth group!
Great "book review" Jenn. :)
Posted by: kcinnova | May 25, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Laughing my head off : )
Posted by: phd in yogurtry | May 25, 2009 at 02:27 AM
Looks like a fun time! What's a book shower?
Posted by: Kimberly | May 25, 2009 at 03:06 AM
You have a pool table? Could you be any cooler? Wow.
I used to play well, but it's been years. Looks like I know what I'm doing next weekend.
Posted by: bipolarlawyercook | May 25, 2009 at 09:27 AM
I bought the boy version of the book for my nephew. He loves it, and has methodically worked his way through over half the list!
Posted by: Fannie | May 25, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Fun! But wait, I thought the laundry got folded and sorted in that area...
Now what?
:)
Posted by: Just Jamie | May 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
I now have a new book on my list of ones I want to buy...what a great read!!
Spoons? one of the Top Ten Most dangerous games to play with friends.
Pool? I totally suck but I have a great time at it!
Tying a sarong? I need that page! The ones I tie keep coming off and that, my friend, is not a good thing!
Posted by: debbie | May 26, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Glad to see a positive book for girls out there. Rather than just...how to get the boy to notice you.
Posted by: JCK | May 30, 2009 at 12:03 AM