Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!

So, another year has passed. Not much has changed. I'm in the same job, same town, same house, married to the same guy, with the same issues. Family of origin has had no deletions or additions, although my grandmother has a new pacemaker, which probably means that she'll now live forever. I'm sure my mother, who has given the past 35 years of her life to taking care of her, is thrilled about that prospect.

The most notable happening in the year was the death of Cali Cat in November. She was almost 19 years old, with 12 of those sharing a bunk with me. I don't want to cry again, so I won't say much other than that she will be very much missed.


As for 2013, I'm hoping that it will bring a great deal of change -- that my husband will become a grown-up again, that I will get my career on track, that climate change, will stop, that airline prices will go down enough for me to visit the people I love, that Americans will get their heads out of their asses. I'm not holding my breath though. As for me, if I can move somewhere beyond just trying to get through, I will feel an improvement.

Hark, A Vagrant

Hark! A VagrantHark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Intelligent, wry humor based on history and literature and great illustration that includes the occasional ass joke. What's not to love?



View all my reviews

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Revelations, by Elaine Pagels

Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of RevelationRevelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation by Elaine Pagels

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I turned 40 this year, something that as a teenager I never expected to do. Not because I had some dread disease or abusive boyfriend, but because I had been taught that Jesus would be coming back any day -- most likely before my high school graduation in 1990 but definitely before I reached middle age. The signs were all there, as I learned in a Sunday night sermon series that featured a movie depicting the horrors of waking up to find all your loved ones gone. Because my parents didn't attend church, I didn't have a sane voice to counter the apocalyptic visions, which eventually spurred several panic attacks that the Rapture had occurred and I had been left behind. I really didn't think much about my future life because I didn't imagine that I would have one. Eventually I gained some real knowledge about religious history and left that all behind, but there's still a bit of fear of getting it wrong somewhere down in my lizard brain that pops up whenever someone doesn't answer a phone.

So, reading Elaine Pagels' Revelations was more than an academic exercise for me -- it was a cleansing of sorts. Like her previous books, Revelations presents scholarly information in a way that lay readers can understand. Her focus here is on the history of the text itself (one among many books of revelation circulating in the early days of Christianity) and how it came to be included in the canonical Bible.

A few issues in particular struck me while reading. First, Revelations as we know it is sort of a 3rd Century "Apocalypse Now," a tale of war and horror at a time of war and horror for its readers as well -- rather than prophesying the future, it reflects the circumstances of the time in which it was written, when the Jews and the Romans were in almost continual war. Along a different track, Pagels reveals that the most frequently read portions of Christian teachings largely involved those texts available to the lowest common denominator of believers, as opposed to the "secret" texts and teachings for those interested in a higher level of enlightenment. Of course, and not a surprise to those familiar with Pagels' other works, politics and power determined the direction of Christianity and the eventual "approved" interpretation of texts (the Council of Nicea was a dogfight for whose truth would become the Truth). For example, the beasts and enemies mentioned in the revelations of John originally were thought to represent Rome, until Constantine jumped on the Christianity bandwagon, when suddenly "heretics" who didn't toe the party line suddenly became the harbingers of the apocalypse. These heretics were mainly those who believed in intrinsic spirituality and individual enlightenment as opposed to a god working through a hierarchical organization defining the spirit as it sees fit. As people who thought for themselves, naturally, these independent sorts had to be destroyed and largely were, thanks to early bishops like Athanasius.

In the end, Revelations was chosen to finish off the canonical Bible in large part because it sets in stone the "my way or the highway" attitude of these bishops with its statement that if anyone adds or takes away to the Bible, as written by the powers that be, they are false prophets. The goal was to silence all critics of the orthodoxy by portraying them as led by Satan. Jeez, where have I heard that before.

And therein lies one thread that ties the lessons of the book together. That everything old is new again. That the prophesies of 2000 years ago are the prophesies of today not because they simply happened yet but because of the power they hold over the psyches of adherents and the power they provide to proponents: the idea that the horrors of today are just portents of some greater struggle of forces beyond our control, so we might as well just do what we're told, hope we do everything right, and look forward to the new Jerusalem to come since this world is just going to suck. So many of the evils of the past 2100 years come down to this simple but poisonous idea. It explains so much.

As for me, I've come to realize that no matter how much more time I may have, it's the day to day time on earth that matters.



View all my reviews

Monday, December 10, 2012

Something Red, by Douglas Nicholas

Something RedSomething Red by Douglas Nicholas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Something about this book led me to read it in one day (other than being on vacation and having a whole day to spend on reading). The book's structure around the protagonists' physical journey gives the story a movement that makes you want to keep going along with it. Of course, it's also a great story that takes place in a time period I haven't often seen in fiction.



View all my reviews

Friday, November 23, 2012

Dark Inside, by Jeyn Roberts

Dark Inside (Dark Inside, #1)Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Things I liked: quick read that holds your attention, characters that aren't all goodness and light, interesting premise, dark outlook. Things I was less enamored with: lack of backstory (however, this book is the first in a series so many of my questions will likely be answered in upcoming books), with the chapter-by-character style it sometimes took a page or so before I remembered the character's story. I'm looking forward to the next book to see where the story goes. However, if this gets all religious, I'm gonna be pissed.



View all my reviews

The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson

The Ghost MapThe Ghost Map by Steven Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Part mystery, part science, The Ghost Map addresses an 1854 cholera epidemic in one neighborhood in London and presents the route traced to identify its cause. At a time when medicine was based on superstition more than science, this journey to the truth was often blocked by everything from class prejudices to a lack of independent thinking. The author likewise weaves in the various sociologic and economic factors involved: the Industrial Revolution, urbanization, the history of cholera, colonization, world travel, morbidity/mortality statistics, and indoor plumbing. This book discusses a wide variety of disparate topics as they relate to the epidemiology of this particular outbreak, which is why the book worked so well. I found The Ghost Map well written and almost a page turner, but also I thought something was missing. I can't identify the missing element, but that's why I have this book a 4 rather than a 5.

Oh, and just a tip: This is not a book to read while eating. I have a far-from-weak stomach (working lunches on crime scene photography will do that to a gal), but lordy this one made me a bit queasy.



View all my reviews

Monday, November 5, 2012

"Global Weirdness" by Climate Central

Global Weirdness: Severe Storms, Deadly Heat Waves, Relentless Drought, Rising Seas and the Weather of the FutureGlobal Weirdness: Severe Storms, Deadly Heat Waves, Relentless Drought, Rising Seas and the Weather of the Future by Climate Central

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This impressive-in-information but tightly written book is probably the best nonfiction work about climate change for laypeople that I've read. Written in chapters that span only 2-5 pages, the folks at Climate Central lay out the evidence for climate change, starting with an overview of how various parts of the ecosystem work and then moving into what the current peer-reviewed research shows, in the context of the basic scientific information presented earlier. One of the key points made is that predicting what will happen in future years is very tricky, because current data are outstripping what the models are built to examine and because the system is just so complex. The book ends with the question on everyone's mind: "Can we avoid the risks of climate change?" Short answer: probably not.

This book is the sort that you recommend to your friends and family because every informed citizen of the planet should have this information. By writing a book in accurate-yet-simple language that even a 5th grader could understand, the team of authors has developed a terrific resource for everyone.




View all my reviews

After, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

AfterAfter by Ellen Datlow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Short stories are a hard literature form to do well: Despite being the soul of wit, brevity is often not a strong suit for writers. "After" demonstrates that you don't need a 7-book series of 700-page tomes to do good storytelling. Dealing with topics of dystopia and apocalypse as they relate to young adults, the 19 individual stories (well, one is a poem) vary widely in their approaches and specific subjects. Although all rate a "pretty darn good" IMHO, some will linger longer than others. For me, N.K. Jemisin's "Validectorian" was one of the best, hitting me in the gut with its message about who the true monsters are. Likewise, the twist in "Faint Heart" by Sarah Rees Brennan made it one of my favorites. "After" is another great collection from this editing team.



View all my reviews

Friday, October 26, 2012

Book: The Eyre Affair

The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next #1)The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Intelligent, witty, funny as hell, with a touch of more serious themes (eg, the influence of a corporation on a nation), I liked this book a great deal. It straddled the line between mystery, literature, humor, and science fiction. Readers will probably want some basic literary knowledge; otherwise, jokes about the door-to-door Baconians trying to convince unsuspecting homeowners that Shakespeare was not the true author of Shakespeare's works will likely fly over their heads. Those little tidbits are what I enjoyed the most about the book. Fforde creates a world in which literature and the arts are given the attention that sports and other bread and circuses (Honey Boo Boo, anyone) merit in today's world, down to the hooligans causing riots over abstract art.



View all my reviews

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Rasputin's Bastard's by David Nickle

Rasputin's BastardsRasputin's Bastards by David Nickle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Damn. Just damn.

Nickle has a lot going on in this book, with layers upon layers of reality and not reality, such that you should probably not do what I did and go a long period between chapters, if you want to grasp everything happening here. As it is, this novel is the sort that lends itself to re-reading because the second and subsequent readings will provide much more depth (and recollection of which character is which and the relationships among them) than the first go-round. But the result is worth the effort: Nickle weaves a fine story here that dips into everything from Cold War-era spying to the nature of reality itself. Or at least that's what I got from it -- I have a feeling that different readers will have different takeaways. Some will focus on matters of mind control, others the mystery and suspense, still others will meditate on the dangers of true believers, whether they believe in a deity, power, or simply the lining of their own pockets (or, heaven forbid, all three). And therein lies the brilliance of the book -- its complexity while nonetheless telling a fascinating tale that will capture readers attention and imagination.

In interest of total disclosure, I obtained a free e-book from the publisher via a friend who works with them.


View all my reviews

Feynman, by Jim Ottaviani

FeynmanFeynman by Jim Ottaviani

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The combination here of evocative artwork, carefully selected vignettes from Feynman's life, and well-written text brings a spark to the story of this amazing man that would have been impossible in a text-only biography. And, to its credit, this book made physics almost understandable to me (I never took physics in high school, to my everlasting regret, because I did not want to have to do a science fair project.)



View all my reviews

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Hope springs eternal

There may be a real chance that the Spouse will actually graduate in December. He tells me that he's gotten a high enough grade on his independent project that it will raise his GPA in addition to taking away the fail for noncompletion. Of course, I've heard similar stories before. But he's actually talking about bar prep, so it seems entirely possible.

Meanwhile, the temps dropped here overnight and brought a feel of fall. Unfortunately, it will be back up in the mid-80s by Wednesday. Bah.

Book: The Dog Who Knew Too Much

The Dog Who Knew Too Much (A Chet and Bernie Mystery #4)The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Another complicated and convoluted mystery involving Bernie and Chet as well as a cast of characters ranging from rural drug dealers to junior high bullies. Gave this one 3 stars because I had to skip a portion of it -- I can't stand dog trauma, even that which is short in duration and satisfactorily resolved. Maybe the new book will involve a plotline in which dear Chet isn't in frequent peril and separated from his human.



View all my reviews

Book: Fallout, by Jim Ottaviani et al

Fallout: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and the Political Science of the Atomic BombFallout: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and the Political Science of the Atomic Bomb by Jim Ottaviani

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Detailed look at some of what transpired during and after the making of the atomic bomb, as told through the perspectives of some of the key players. Ottaviani uses original documents as source material for much of the book, including the story of Oppenheimer's troubles with Communist witch hunts. Someone who isn't familiar with the Manhattan Project or the work (scientific as well as political) that preceded and followed it may be a bit lost though.



View all my reviews

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Book: The First Days

The First Days (As The World Dies: A Zombie Trilogy #1)The First Days by Rhiannon Frater

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


As far as my experience with the zombie genre (does it get its own category now?) goes, this book represents my first experience with more than one female protagonist. In this case, they are 2 women from the Texas Hill Country, who by chance end up escaping the horrors of suburbia in the throes of a zombie outbreak together. The action is good, the central characters fairly well developed, and the picture of a world descending into madness fairly plausible. The First Days is the first in a trilogy, so the story arc leaves you hanging at the end. My main concern with the book involves the romantic plotlines -- I really home this series doesn't get all mushy. It takes away from the idea that women can be something in action/dystopian novels beyond victims and lovers.



View all my reviews

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Catching Up

OK, it's been too long since I've been on here, for book tallying purposes or otherwise. Summer in Louisiana is as draining as winter in Maine. The humidity and the heat just suck any energy or will right out of most people. (My beloved, meanwhile, gets chilly when the temps outside drop below 80.) Life has been somewhat busy, with money earning and health obtaining, not to mention hurricane avoiding and cat mending. I'm currently waiting to hear about the best opportunity to reenter Libraryland that I've had in 2 years. I've knitted a lot, and read a lot, but never enough of either.

Meanwhile, here's what I've read since I last checked in:

Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Heterosexuality, by Hanne Blank

Leningrad: The Epic Siege of World War II, 1941-1944, by Anna Reid

Fallout: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and the Political Science of the Atomic Bomb, by Jim Ottaviani

Not surprisingly, all nonfiction. I'm sure I've read some fiction over the summer, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was at the moment. I'll have to go look at the shelves and see if anything looks familiar.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Books: sans review

Recently read The Pale Criminal, by Philip Kerr, and The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau. Both, from 2 different series, were quick reads that held my interest. The summer heat is getting to me, and I just didn't feel like typing out reviews for them.

Meanwhile, my full review of "A Thousand Lives" came out in the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association newsletter. I don't have a direct link, but you can find it here: http://nosha.info/

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Books: All zombies, all the time

My zombie reading continues with these two, neither of which thrilled me too much. I'm especially disappointed with Blackout, because it didn't live up to its predecessors in the series.


Contagion, by L.I. Albemont


and

Blackout, by Mira Grant

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Book: March Violets

March Violets (Bernard Gunther, #1)March Violets by Philip Kerr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved the noirish tone of this mystery, which deals with a former cop/current private eye in pre-WWII Germany (after Hitler's rise to power but prior to the Czech takeover). One of the things I appreciate most in a good mystery is the ability to provide information about a particular point in time and place within an entertaining wrapping. Kerr certainly delivers in that regard, portraying this time in Berlin as one of uncertainty and danger (the title refers to latecomers to the Nazi cause who do so mainly for their own safety) for Germans of all sorts. Our detective's main work in the book is finding missing Jews, a harbinger of what is to come. Looking forward to the next book in the series.



View all my reviews

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Book: A Feast for Crows

Book 4 in the Game of Thrones series. Loved it, although it was hard not knowing what happened to the other characters, most of whom show up in A Dance With Dragons.

Book: Dead Things

Dead ThingsDead Things by Matt Darst

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Wish I could give this 3.5 stars. For what it was, Dead Things was actually pretty good. Had a decent storyline with only a few cliches here and there, interesting characters, and fairly indiscriminate about who bit the dust. There were a few mistakes that a decent copyeditor would have caught, and the climax was pretty improbable, even for a zombie book. Also, I wish that some novel in which main characters hook up would NOT end with a freaking babe in arms (Suzanne Collins, I'm looking at you). Throw a bone to the childfree, will you?



View all my reviews

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book ThiefThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


F-ing brilliant book about the power of words in WWII Germany.



View all my reviews

Monday, March 19, 2012

How's this for screwed up?

When pondering what I wanted to read next, I decided that a book about the American healthcare system (Lionel Shriver's So Much for That) was more anxiety inducing than a zombie novel. Of course, zombies are somewhat less likely than having to use your retirement money and then some after a life of cubicle dwelling to care for a terminally ill partner. The fact that the last Lionel Shriver book I read left me in an emotional state akin to a crumpled up paper towel may be related.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Book: Arctic Rising

Arctic RisingArctic Rising by Tobias S. Buckell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A fascinating scifi-ish speculative roller coaster thriller about the polar ice caps melting and the repercussions thereafter for the people of planet earth. As an airship pilot tries to find who shot her ship down, we're introduced to shifts in the balance of power in the world (eg, native peoples in the Arctic), the role of nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations, human migration, war (official and otherwise), and even personal relations. The issues aren't black or white here, and neither are the characters, but I found it all fascinating.



View all my reviews

What I'm About to Admit...

...Could likely get me get kicked out of Louisiana: I'm really not all that enthralled with Mardi Gras. King cake kind of tastes like too-sweet, usually stale cinnamon rolls. Parades are fun but a pain in the neck to get to, and I really don't like having things thrown at me. Then there's the whole weird vibe with the segregated krewes and debutante balls, the creepy symbolism of the old white guy squiring a nubile young woman (with the oldest krewes), and masks that look straight out of a 1930s Klan rally. Maybe next year I'll use that weekend to visit the fam and see some snow.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Book: Midnight Rising

Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil WarMidnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


First off, the author acknowledges the role that librarians and historians played in helping him access the materials necessary to write this book, so mad props to him for that.

As for the book itself, it brings a depth to Brown that mainstream books haven't provided before. He's not just the wild-eyed butcher of Kansas but a loving father and husband, whose heartfelt beliefs about the equality of men drove much of his life. At the same time, he may have very well led his men into unwilling martyrdom. Additionally, Horwitz demonstrates how Brown's actions at Harpers Ferry directly led to secession and ultimately civil war.

Going to recommend this one to all my WV friends and family, most of whom know only the basics from 8th grade history and field trips to Jefferson County.



View all my reviews

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Incredible piece

Entitled "Anatomy of an Unsafe Abortion" by a blogger doctor.

This story isn't from pre-Roe. It's from this year. American women are still dying from unsafe abortions, and yet people want to go back to the days of kitchen table butchers. This passage especially struck me:

The urologist, a grizzled older man with whom I had nothing in common except a medical degree and this patient, rested his hand on my shoulder. It was a kind, fatherly gesture. The weight was comforting.

“You done good.” He said. And then he added, “Those bastards.”

I knew he was referring not just to the physician who did this procedure, but to everyone in society who had contributed to a disadvantaged woman finding herself in such a desperate situation.

We all contribute, whether we give money to churches that want to force women to give birth or die (but they do so much gooooood work), when we are too frightened to write a letter to the editor to protest insane legislation, when we vote for pro-forced birth candidates because they're the least crazy.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Book: Zone One

Zone OneZone One by Colson Whitehead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was something you don't see every day: a zombie novel you don't have to feel ashamed about reading. Of course, the literary bent also meant that the story was non-linear, metaphor was everywhere (hell, the whole book may have been a metaphor for the waste of modern American civilization), and occasionally you find yourself slogging through the prose. However, the book goes beyond 3 stars for 2 reasons: 1, Connecticut was the worst hellhole of the hellholes, and 2, the final destruction all came about because of public relations and marketing people, who I am firmly convinced are Satan's minions on earth.



View all my reviews

Book: The Infernals

The InfernalsThe Infernals by John Connolly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A fun book that reminds me of Good Omens and similar books. I enjoyed it a great deal, but probably should have read the first one before this one. A little bit too frenetic in spots, like the author was trying too hard.



View all my reviews

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Life on the Gulf Post-K

Even though we've been here for almost 4 years, sometimes I forget the extent to which the possibility of crisis affects behavior here. My first experience with that was in regard to buying food only a week at a time during the summer, so you wouldn't have a full fridge in case of a storm. (Several people I know swear that they can still smell in their homes when the weather is humid that post-Katrina stench of a refrigerator full of food that went, in some cases, weeks or months without power.)

Today the little reminder was in a conversation about dogs at our monthly knitting potluck. Talking about vaccinations and such, one person noted that she's gotten her dogs on a schedule so that they all get their shots in May, so that if they had to evacuate during the summer she'd know they were all up to date. Something else that had never occurred to me, like keeping the car tank to at least 3/4 full or taking photos of all your belongings and emailing them to yourself in case they're needed for the insurance company.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Book: A Thousand Lives

A Thousand Lives: The Untold Story of Hope, Deception, and Survival at JonestownA Thousand Lives: The Untold Story of Hope, Deception, and Survival at Jonestown by Julia Scheeres

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Holy fucking shit. This book -- the first to include recently released documents collected by the FBI in the wake of the massacre -- blew my mind in terms of showing just how dangerous the mixing of church and state can be. One of the reasons that Jones got away with abuse, fraud, etc., was the fact that the church had friends in high places in government, in the United States and Guyana. Hell, Jones himself was chair of the San Francisco Housing Authority for a time, named to the position by Mayor Moscone, who he helped elect. Also, he was at the forefront of “faith-based initiatives,” encouraging members to open up group homes to house the folks being tossed out of mental institutions by dear Governor Reagan (with all of the government money going to the church of course), collecting foster children (some of whom ended up in Jonestown), feeding the homeless, helping addicts overcome. There was a perception that the group did so much good that reports of beatings, financial malfeasance, Jones’ drug use, etc., were discounted for years by authorities up. And ironically, the CIA was too worried about violating the church's First Amendment rights to investigate repeated reports from those who escaped the church that a mass suicide was being planned years before it actually happened.









View all my reviews

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Cautiously optimistic

For the first time in a long while, I feel like things might actually be getting better. On a personal level at least -- the world's still going to hell in a handbasket and an apocalypse is the best thing that can happen for the planet. But that's another blog post.

I'm keeping quiet though because the pessimist in me doesn't want to jinx it.

Book: The Night Soldiers

Night Soldiers (Night Soldiers, #1)Night Soldiers by Alan Furst

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Great variation of the spy novel, taking readers in time from the early days of fascism in Europe through World War II. This is the first in a series, and I've read the 10th and the 1st; I may have to read the ones in between.



View all my reviews

Monday, January 9, 2012

In case you were curious

"We should operate under the assumption that all of our jobs are being re-evaluated" is not a good tool for motivating employees. All it really does is upset their stomachs and cause them to apply for other positions. Not only is the possibility of losing one's source of income really scary but to know that you might get laid off despite working your ass off in what really should be at least two positions is more than a little off-putting.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Book: The Night Eternal

The Night Eternal (The Strain Trilogy, #3)The Night Eternal by Guillermo del Toro

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I always appreciate a book where the protagonists aren't all sunshine and rainbows and in which the ending is more nuanced than just plain happy. For me, this was a perfect ending to a great series.



View all my reviews

Greetings and salutations

Yesterday marked a new year, one that will hopefully mark a great deal of change, so I've decided to start a new blog. Part of the effort is an attempt to be a bit more anonymous. I mainly used my prior blog to keep family and friends updated on moves and general life changes. As such, sometimes I felt I couldn't be too honest there. I'm hoping to rectify that a bit and give the world a piece of my mind. Not necessarily in paragraph, grammatically correct, or diplomatic forms, though. 

So what's on my mind? Lots of things; for instance, in no particular order: financial woes, knitting, books (I was sort of intending to make this a book blog but decided I needed it for other purposes as well), animals, the environment and how we're killing it, work, the end of the world, TV, religion and the lack thereof, skepticism, life in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana, family, cute kitten pictures, and so on. I'm gonna review books, rant a bit, do some mental masturbation, post pictures of stuff I like and stuff I don't, and whatever else I want to. Basically, this is gonna be an online diary sort of thing that may not always (or often) be profound or polite, but hopefully should be at least a little interesting.

Welcome!