From Book to Blurb

So, as a way of keeping things fun and fresh around here (why is the writing of novels such slow work?  whoever decided that it must take a human of good health and high spirits weeks, months, or *gasp* years to produce a coherent book should be shot), I've decided to recommend a book and pay homage to the author in my own bizarre way. Basically, I'll post a line from the book and then add between 100 and 200 words to the blurb, changing the context and making it completely different. Today, I'd like to share a line from one of my favorite books, A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson.

. . . .

The Line (copyrighted to Bill Bryson): Life simply wants to be.

My homage to Mr. Bryson's work:
Warnings: alcohol, depression
I couldn't say no to a fourth glass of wine.  I didn't need it, but the bottle was glaring at me.  Or winking at me.  Maybe singing dirty limericks in my ear.  It's after midnight so, really, anything is possible.  Except the possibility of making this moment - fuzzy and warm with the taste of apricot and honey on my tongue - eternal.  Work will come in the morning.  A grumpy spouse with a rushed schedule.  A packed bus and claustrophobic train.  People smoking their cigarettes on the street, uncaring of who gets caught in the cross-fire.  A noted lack of excuse-me's and thank-you's.  This is a city.  Life simply wants to be.  Ego-centric, frantic, and (momentarily) free.

. . . .

Originally, this line is an expression of awe as the author marvels at the tenacity of simple life forms to exist despite never doing anything interesting at all.  In my contribution, the mood is quite different. So, if you'd like to give it a try, please do!  Just grab a book off your shelf, go with the first line that grabs you and you're all set!

SOURCE: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Line taken from Chapter 22: Goodbye to All That