Today sucketh

First, the cab was an hour late picking me up to go to the airport. So I run for my flight, just barely make it, and then the flight sits on the tarmat for two hours. Then I run to make my connection, only to find that it's been delayed for two hours . . . make that three and a half. So while I was supposed to get in at 7pm, I don't actually get home until almost midnight.

Fall down go boom.

50bookchallenge, 15000pages

Book #46 -- Philip Pullman, The Subtle Knife, 326 pages.

The second book in the trilogy. A little less self-contained than the first . . . feels more like a series book and the plot isn't as tight. But still good. Things are starting to make a bit of sense, and there are some interesting theories being banded about. Ends on a cliffhanger, so I will have to get to the third one soon.

Progress toward goals: 179/365 = 49.0%

Books: 46/50 = 92%

Pages: 15454/15000 = 103.0%

2007 Book List

cross-posted to 15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven

Wonderful, just wonderful

I now have 18 months to buy a house.

My new apartment managers have decided to start bringing those of us who came in under the old pet policy -- 'whatever you want so long as you pay your deposit and no one complains about the noise or the smell' -- into compliance with the new pet policy -- 2 per apartment, no exceptions. And since I am listed as having three on my original lease, I was told to either move within 18months or get rid of a cat. And yes, they will be coming to check. Now, much as I have cats who like to hide, I don't think I can get away with pretending to only have two to someone who is *looking* for evidence of more.

And my chances of finding a rental anywhere that will take the number of animals I have is about nil. Dammit. I'm not ready for this, financially. Once my car payment is up, yeah then I could probably do it. But that won't be for another three years. And it doesn't matter that I have 18 months to find a place, I will be worrying about it every minute between now and the time I move into wherever I end up going.

Meme

Because I haven't done one in ages.

Based on the lj interests lists of those who share my more unusual interests, the interests suggestion meme thinks I might be interested in
1. singing score: 6
2. harry potter score: 6
3. coffee score: 5
4. jasper fforde score: 5
5. psychology score: 5
6. guitar score: 4
7. sarcasm score: 4
8. friends score: 4
9. laughing score: 4
10. crazymonkeyloveslave score: 4
11. england score: 4
12. star wars score: 4
13. pirates score: 4
14. road trips score: 4
15. dvds score: 4
16. photography score: 4
17. ice cream score: 4
18. choir score: 4
19. london score: 3
20. trees score: 3

Type your username here to find out what interests it suggests for you.

coded by ixwin
Find out more

(no subject)

This is really cool!

I need to start paying attention to the aches and pains index.

Daily post

Sleep: 12:30am to 9:30am (with remarkably few short moments of wakefulness)

Pain: 5

Weather: clear, 86F, humidity 60%, high 86F

Daily BPAL: MR. IBIS
Description: Papyrus, vanilla flower, Egyptian musk, African musk, aloe ferox, white sandalwood.
In bottle: Sandalwood, light musk, and papyrus, with a slight hint of vanilla.
On me: Papyrus, aloe, and vanilla mixed with a light musk. Very nice and light. Kind of old musty book smelling.

Daily Tarot: Knight of Pentacles: A man of upright nature who accepts responsibility. He is laborious and patient. The card can also mean utility, serviceableness, trust-worthiness. Or the coming or going of an important matter connected with money. Well, that's appropriate. And encouraging, if the knight is who I think he is.

Reading:
Breach of Faith: Hurricane Katrina and the Near Death of a Great American City by Jed Horne
Boudica Britannia by Miranda Aldhouse-Green
Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy by Sir Isaac Newton
Folktales Retold: A Critical Overview of Stories Updated for Children by Amie A. Doughty
Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley

ALA Haul Part One

1. Peter Allison, Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide
2. Alan Armstrong, Raleigh's Page
3. Avi, The Seer of Shadows
4. Ian Ayres, Super Crunchers: Why Thinking-By-Numbers Is the New Way to Be Smart
5. David Baldacci, Wish You Well
6. Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Platinum
7. A. C. E. Bauer, No Castles Here
8. Edward Bloor, Taken
9. Robin Brande, Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature
10. Bliss Broyard, One Drop: A True Story of Family, Race, & Secrets
11. Charles De Lint, Little (Grrl) Lost
12. Peter Dickinson, Angel Isle
13. Shireen Dodson, The Mother-Daughter Book Club
14. Jenny Downham, Before I Die
15. Peter Duffy, The Killing of Major Denis Mahon: A Mystery of Old Ireland
16. Laura Durham, Better Off Wed
17. Kelly Easton, White Magic: Spells to Hold You
18. Michael Robert Evans, 68 Knots
19. Alex Flinn, Beastly
20. Elizabeth Foxwell, ed., The Sunken Sailor
21. Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess, Stardust
22. David Lynn Goleman, Legend: An Event Group Thriller
23. Tricia Goyer, A Valley of Betrayal
24. Cora Harrison, My Lady Judge: A Mystery of Medieval Ireland
25. Humphrey Hawksley, The History Book
26. Laraine Herring, Writing Begins with Breath
27. Frewin Jones, The Lost Queen
28. Brian Keaney, The Hollow People
29. Ron King, The Quantum July
30. Dan Kurzman, A Special Mission: Hitler's Secret Plot to Seize the Vatican and Kidnap Pope Pius XII
31. Ellen Kushner, The Golden Dreidl
32. Iain Lawrence, The Castaways
33. John A. Lindqvist, Let Me In
34. Carolyn Mackler, Guyaholic
35. L. S. Matthews, The Outcasts
36. Shelly Mazzanoble, Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress: A Girl's Guide to the Dungeons and Dragons Game
37. Robin McKinley, Dragonhaven
38. Hemanta Mishra, The Soul of the Rhino
39. Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear, A Companion to Wolves
40. Perry Moore, Hero
41. Richard K. Morgan, Thirteen
42. Henry H. Neff, The Hound of Rowan
43. Jo Nesbo, The Redbreast
44. Derek Nikitas, Pyres
45. Jane Porter, Odd Mom Out
46. S. Jones Rogan, The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush
47. Anthony D. Romero and Dina Temple-Raston, In Defense of Our America: The Fight for Civil Liberties in the Age of Terror
48. Karen Rose, Die For Me
49. Michael Scott, The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
50. Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell, Muddle Earth
51. Leonie Swann, Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story
52. Carl Van Vechten, The Tiger in the House: A Cultural History of the Cat
53. Cat Weatherwill, Snowbone
54. Jake Wizner, Spanking Shakespeare
55. Rebecca York, Full Moon
56. Timothy Zahn, Dragon and Thief

50bookchallenge, 15000pages

Book #47 -- Miranda Aldhouse Green, Boudica Britannia, 254 pages.

A fascinating biography of Boudica, such little as we know of her, and the historical and political event that both led up to her rebellion and resulted from it. I really enjoyed this -- growing up here in the States it's sometimes amazing to me that one can actually build a relatively detailed picture of an event that took place almost 2000 years ago from both the archaeological record and contemporary or near-contemporary sources. The book also rekindled my early interest in archaeology -- among other things, Boudica's tomb has never been discovered, and *I* want to be the one to discover it (fat chance, but a girl can dream). Even more, it is uplifting to know that even so long ago there were women who were strong enough and determined enough to make such a difference in the world, whether you agree with what she did or not. This book is definitely recommended for anyone interested in British or Roman history.

Progress toward goals: 179/365 = 49.0%

Books: 47/50 = 94%

Pages: 15708/15000 = 104.7%

2007 Book List

cross-posted to 15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven

(no subject)

I think we can definitely say this year's ALA haul will dwarf last year's. Only two of the six boxes I shipped came today, and already I unpacked over 50 books. So we're probably looking at about 150 total. Damn. When *am* I going to read all this stuff?