Ginger Spice in My Pocket

Unofficial Ginger Spice in My Pocket
1997
Weight: 1.8 oz
Method of Disposal: Leaving at Joes in EAV

Enough said.  Right?!  You can hide her in your pocket, and she speaks ridiculousness!
Anyone who knows me at all knows how I loved Geri...

 

Spice Girls

All About the Spice Girls and Me: Your Guide to Spice, Life, and Girl Power
Spice Girls: The Hottest Band Around 1996
Spice World: The Tour

Weight: 1 lb

Method of Disposal: Donating (Come on!  You know someone will buy one as a joke for a friend!)

I was just over at my dear friend, Tracy's, house helping her sort and get rid of books and clothes.  Last year she asked me if I might be interested in reading The Happiness Project and, while I did not particularly enjoy the book, when she mentioned each of us doing our own this year I decided to jump on board.  I focused on health and fitness in January, and I am still working on it.  I have incorporated some routine into my regular life and have signed up for two 5 Ks!  This month I am focusing on organization.  All day I worked on my own and then went to Tracy's to hang out and work on hers.  Don't tell anyone, but I might have taken home some books...I know, I know, counterproductive, but I cannot tell you how many I left!

Any who, I need to clean up and clear out, as I am hoping that the most Lovely Harriet will be coming to live with me soon, and I am sure she would be quite distressed if a bookshelf collapsed on her like one did on me about a month ago.  I am sure she would be horrified/disappointed to read that I chose to get rid of Spice Girls books in honor of her coming.  Sucks to be British in America, aye?

It is amazing that I still have these books--or not since I seem to say that all the time about assorted books and, clearly, I have a problem.  I would just like to point out, for the record, that the Spice World one is from their tour and my first ever big concert.  That's right.  I just came out with it.  Ginger Spice was my favorite, and she quit the group within a month (s?) of being in Atlanta.  Talk about sadness!  I was overwhelmed.  I even told a news reporter on my way in.  I was way too old for that shit, and my supportive buddy, Noelle, knew it and creeped away rather quickly.  Anyway, Girl Power, Friendship, and All that Jazz!

Cheers to a cleaner, more organized house and dismantling the eclectic library!

"If You Live Through This With Me I Swear That I Will Die For You."

Courtney Love: The Real Story by Poppy Z. Brite
1998
Weight: 9.4 oz
Method of Disposal: Donating or giving away

There was a time, long ago, when I called Courtney Love one of my “Goddesses,” meaning she was someone who I adored. Her position in the line-up fluctuated throughout those youthful years. Sometimes she was on the list and sometimes she was not. She was surrounded by Gillian Anderson, Geri Halliwell, and Shirley Manson, amongst others I cannot remember. Maybe? I think Gillian was the only one who was consistent.

I bought this book in 1998 and that was the last time I read it. I was glad that it seemed to be from Courtney’s point of view, despite the author’s attempts to make it unbiased. At the time, I felt like we were hearing from everyone but Courtney. Everything she said was discredited or mocked. I could not help but feel something for her. It was particularly frustrating to hear people accusing her of Cobain’s death. None of us knew anything about anything, but it seemed absurd to blame her when he presented himself as someone with the potential to kill himself. Lyrics about death, depression, drugs, suicide, whatever. He talked about it. He wrote about it. Why villainize someone else because you are sad that someone you admired died?

Any who, it phases me not at all and it has nothing to do with my life. It is not something I ever think about, and I never hear anyone talk about it anymore. I guess this is a token of the 90s, but I am sure there is still someone out there who will want it. Oh, Courtney Love, I think I will go listen to Live Through This. Unlike Nirvana, I still really like it. Make fun of me all you want.

"Madonna saved me from the worst fate that can befall a teenage girl..."

If Only by Geri Halliwell
1999
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Method of Disposal: I don’t quite know what to do with this one. I will probably leave it somewhere in Decatur.



An older volunteer that works with the cats at the shelter recently sent me pictures of her own baby, GingerSpiceGirl. In honor of her and her kitty, I have decided to get rid of the Geri Halliwell autobiography. I must say, it was delightful to learn that this woman had named her cat after my favorite Spice Girl.

I am not proud to admit that I was once a Spice Girls fan, but then again, I do smile when I tell people. I still feel the need to put in a vague affirmation on behalf of Geri Halliwell if the topic comes up. I loved her and her fiery red hair. You could not imagine my disappointment when, upon purchasing tickets to a Spice Girls concert (That’s right. What?! What?! I am bucking at you.), I learned that Ginger Spice was leaving the band. I never got to see her live. It was a true tragedy.

In 1999, I bought If Only. I saw it on a bookshelf at the old Borders that use to be in Duluth, GA. I was very excited about it and read it right away. And I enjoyed it. That was twelve years ago, but I am going to stand by it. I had fun with it. I worried about Geri, and I appreciated her. What can I possibly say? I am a very loyal fan. I was, after all, raised as a lion. And, for the record, so was Geri.

She can be tacky and cheesy, but so can I. I am realizing, yet again, that I am still fond of her. It makes me laugh, and I like laughing. I think it will be fun to leave this book somewhere. I will enjoy imagining the next person finding it and thinking, “What the hell? Why would someone be reading a book about Ginger Spice in this day and age?” Or “Holler! I just found a Geri Halliwell book! This might be the finest day of my life to date.” Farewell, Ms. Halliwell, til we meet again.