Calculating God by Robert J. Sawyer

Life has just handed me a little gift.

Have you ever read a book, enjoyed it, and then forgotten it? You remember later, "Oh, there was that story..." but by that point you have no idea what it was called, or who wrote it, or even when you read it.

I've been reading Robert Sawyer's stuff lately, which has some interesting religious/spiritual view points. And I've been really enjoying it. So, I was looking forward to reading his much touted book, Calculating God.

So I pick up the book tonight. (Yes, I was starting a new book around midnight, I'm not a night owl for nothing.) And there it is. This book I read and forget, but just thought of within the last two weeks. I hadn't even got around to trying to look for it. I mean, how hard/how specific would it be to find a book that starts with aliens landing in Toronto and saying, "Take me to your paleontologist." ??

And here it is, a little gift dropped in me lap. Thank you, I'll go read my book now.

The Loneliness of Single Parenting

(So, this has nothing to do with what I've read. But then again, I haven't posted at all in over 2 1/2 years, so I don't expect anyone will complain about the topic change. In fact it's doubtful anyone is still watching this blog, but I need somewhere to post this.)

So, I'm dating a single mom. We only get to see each other once a week, but we talk on the phone for a couple of hours just about every night. But not tonight. I don't know what made me think of this, surely nothing Luscious has said, but it occurred to me what a lonely job single parenting must be. I know I wasn't cut out for single parenting (perhaps not even for joint parenting), and I knew it was hard. I thought about the difficulties, the exhaustion, the expectations, the blessings and simplifications.. but it never before occurred to me how lonely it can be. To be trapped with a crazy person (All 4-year-olds are crazy, it's just in their nature.) that you love, and feed, bath and chastise. To have no fellow adults looking in and saying, "Yep, that really happened" "Are they driving you crazy? Me too." "Can you believe what just happened?" or even (Who would imagine I would write such a thing?) "No, they really deserved to be shouted out with that action." I just get this tiny picture of things over the phone, as they get ready for bed... When Luscious and I don't get to talk, I miss her terribly.. but I'm not lonely. I wonder how her world is....

"Do you have any idea how exhausting this is?" - As Good As It Gets

Here I am, fighting depression again. I'm clearly entering a depressive episode, though of the lower case variety. It made it different to watch this movie (As Good As It Gets). While the love story, the young coming to terms with his life, and the older man bettering himself, are all good... For me, tonight, it was a movie about a mentally ill person making his way in society. How do we make it? Are we able hold it together enough to interact with society? At one point, the OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) gentleman is having dinner with the woman of his dreams. There is a lull in the conversation, and he lowers his head into his hand and says, "Do you have any idea how exhausting this is?" That's the moment of the movie for me tonight.

I go around living my life, trying to work a couple hours a week, and I just feel like saying to people. "Do you have any idea how exhausting this is?" I tutor math, which is something I love, and something I'm good at. That's not hard part.. the hard part is just showing up. Behaving in a manner that's appropriate in front of all those people (my coworkers and students). To be "on", to be on guard, to interact, to act normal. It IS exhausting... and today it's too much.

So I take the day off. I take my meds, eat good food, use the light box to combat the dark, doing all the right things, and still I'm losing the battle. And I know I'm a chemical creature, and that this is going to happen to me... but it's frustrating and I'm exhausted.

On The Other Hand by Fay Wray

I named one of my foster kittens Fay Wray, so I pulled this from the library. Though not very well written, I gleaned a number of interesting quotes. Oh! And I love the pun-y imagery of her title. I can just see her requesting that King Kong hold her in the other hand.

Reading List

Title-Author-Date Checked Out
The door to December. -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -8/6/2005
After the last race -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -8/6/2005
Winter moon -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -8/1/2005
Little Scarlet -Mosley, Walter. -8/1/2005
Flashfire -Stark, Richard, 1933- -8/1/2005
Fatal cure -Cook, Robin, 1940- -8/1/2005
The House of thunder : a novel -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -8/1/2005
Sole survivor : a novel -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -8/1/2005
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -Rowling, J. K. -7/29/2005
Sibley's birding basics -Sibley, David, 1961- -7/29/2005
Life expectancy -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -7/29/2005
Birds -Bateman, Robert, 1930- -7/29/2005
Dragonheart [videorecording] -Cohen, Rob, 1949- -7/29/2005
The cat who walks through walls : a comedy of manners -Heinlein, Robert A. (Robert Anson), 1907- -7/19/2005
Liz Phair [sound recording] -Phair, Liz. -7/19/2005
Real genius [videorecording] -Coolidge, Martha. -7/19/2005
Monday mourning -Reichs, Kathy. -7/14/2005
Beginners stretch for flexibility [videorecording] -Webb, Tamilee. -7/14/2005
Four to score -Evanovich, Janet. -7/14/2005
Shadow of the giant -Card, Orson Scott -7/8/2005
Citizen of the galaxy. -Heinlein, Robert A. (Robert Anson), 1907- -7/8/2005
Velocity -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -7/8/2005
Revolt in 2100; the prophets and the triumph of reason over superstition. -Heinlein, Robert A. (Robert Anson), 1907- -7/8/2005
Orphans of the sky, a novel. -Heinlein, Robert A. (Robert Anson), 1907- -7/8/2005
Tunnel in the sky. -Heinlein, Robert A. (Robert Anson), 1907- -7/8/2005
Blood work [videorecording] -Eastwood, Clint, 1930- -7/5/2005
How to register your own copyright -Warda, Mark. -6/29/2005
Whip-smart [sound recording] -Phair, Liz. -6/28/2005
Phone booth [videorecording] -Netter, Gil. -6/28/2005
Runaway jury [videorecording] -Fleder, Gary. -6/28/2005
Pump up the volume [videorecording] -Slater, Christian. -6/28/2005
Whitechocolatespaceegg [sound recording] -Phair, Liz. -6/21/2005
Gone in 60 seconds [videorecording] -Halicki, H. B. -6/21/2005
Crouching tiger, hidden dragon [videorecording] = Wo hu cang long -Lee, Ang, 1954- -6/18/2005
The slippery slope -Snicket, Lemony. -6/16/2005
The usual suspects [videorecording] -Singer, Bryan. -6/16/2005
Con Air [videorecording] -West, Simon. -6/16/2005
Air Force One [videorecording] -Petersen, Wolfgang. -6/16/2005
African textiles -Gillow, John -6/3/2005
Three to get deadly. -Evanovich, Janet. -6/3/2005
The taking -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -6/3/2005
Dean Koontz's Frankenstein. Prodigal son -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -6/3/2005
The folk of the fringe -Card, Orson Scott -6/1/2005
The dragon quintet -Kaye, Marvin. -5/31/2005
Pink Floyd the wall [videorecording] -Pink Floyd (Musical group) -5/31/2005
Fist of legend [videorecording] -Chan, Gordon. -5/27/2005
Being John Malkovich [videorecording] -Cusack, John, 1966- -5/27/2005
The best man [videorecording] -Lee, Malcolm D., 1970- -5/27/2005
The lathe of heaven [videorecording] -Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929- -5/27/2005
The phantom of the opera [videorecording] -Lubin, Arthur, 1901- -5/27/2005
The alien life of Wayne Barlowe. -Barlowe, Wayne Douglas. -5/27/2005
Barlowe's guide to extraterrestrials -Barlowe, Wayne Douglas. -5/27/2005
Two for the dough. -Evanovich, Janet. -5/27/2005
The phantom of the opera [videorecording] -Lubin, Arthur, 1901- -5/23/2005
Under the banner of heaven : a story of violent faith -Krakauer, Jon -5/23/2005
The Stepford wives [videorecording] -Forbes, Bryan, 1926- -5/18/2005
Terminator 3 [videorecording] : rise of the machines -Kassar, Mario. -5/9/2005
The crow [videorecording] -Proyas, Alex. -5/9/2005
Face off [videorecording] -Woo, John, 1948- -5/9/2005
Plus style : the plus-size guide to looking great -Nanfeldt, Suzan. -5/9/2005
Fast fit : easy pattern alterations for every figure -Betzina, Sandra. -5/3/2005
Fantastic fit for every body : how to alter patterns to flatter any figure -Hazen, Gale Grigg. -5/3/2005
Bulletproof monk [videorecording] -Woo, John, 1948- -5/3/2005
The Stepford wives [videorecording] -Oz, Frank. -5/3/2005
The relic [videorecording] -Hyams, Peter. -5/3/2005
The phantom of the opera [sound recording] : the original cast recording -Lloyd Webber, Andrew, 1948- -4/26/2005
The phantom of the opera [sound recording] : the original cast recording -Lloyd Webber, Andrew, 1948- -4/26/2005
The Rolling stone women in rock collection [sound recording]. -Thornton, Big Mama. -4/26/2005
The Rolling stone women in rock collection [sound recording]. -Thornton, Big Mama. -4/26/2005
The Rolling stone women in rock collection [sound recording]. -Thornton, Big Mama. -4/26/2005
Lord of snow and shadows -Ash, Sarah. -4/26/2005
Crossfire -Kress, Nancy. -4/26/2005
Bee season -Goldberg, Myla. -4/26/2005
The carnivorous carnival -Snicket, Lemony -4/26/2005
One for the money -Evanovich, Janet. -4/26/2005
X2 [videorecording] : X-men united -Smith, Bryan. -4/26/2005
The 13th warrior [videorecording] -McTiernan, John. -4/26/2005
The face -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -4/16/2005
X-men [videorecording] -Stewart, Patrick, 1940- -4/16/2005
Star trek first contact [videorecording] -Frakes, Jonathan. -4/16/2005
Middlesex -Eugenides, Jeffrey. -4/16/2005
Spider-Man [videorecording] -Raimi, Sam. -4/8/2005
Days of open hand [sound recording] -Vega, Suzanne. -3/31/2005
The wedding banquet [videorecording] -Lee, Ang. -3/31/2005
Sewing for plus sizes : design, construction, and fit for ample apparel -Deckert, Barbara. -3/24/2005
Fitting finesse -Zieman, Nancy. -3/24/2005
Fear of sewing : survival skills for the "non-sewer", primer for the "would-be sewer" -Webster, Sandra Betzina -3/24/2005
Easy dressmaking techniques -Blaxland, Kathleen. -3/24/2005
Sleeves : a treasury of ideas, techniques, and patterns -Cope, Louise Todd. -3/24/2005
The Perfect fit. --3/24/2005
Fantastic fit for every body : how to alter patterns to flatter any figure -Hazen, Gale Grigg. -3/24/2005
Hands on! : 33 more things every girl should know : skills for living your life from 33 extraordinary women --3/24/2005
Make your own patterns : a primer in patternmaking for those who like to sew -Margolis, Adele P. -3/24/2005
DROWNED AMMET --3/24/2005
The virgin suicides -Eugenides, Jeffrey. -3/24/2005
Airframe -Crichton, Michael, 1942- -3/18/2005
The white jade fox -Norton, Andre. -3/18/2005
Double happiness [videorecording] -Shum, Mina. -3/18/2005
Calendar girls [videorecording] -Barton, Nick. -3/18/2005
Erin Brockovich [videorecording] -Soderbergh, Steven, 1963- -3/18/2005
Total eclipse [videorecording] -Holland, Agnieszka, 1948- -3/18/2005
Ender's shadow -Card, Orson Scott -3/17/2005
First meetings : in the Enderverse -Card, Orson Scott -3/17/2005
Shadow puppets -Card, Orson Scott -3/17/2005
Ender's game. -Card, Orson Scott -3/17/2005
The chronicles of Riddick [videorecording] -Twohy, David. -3/17/2005
Highlander [videorecording] -Mulcahy, Russell. -3/14/2005
Titan A.E. [videorecording] -Damon, Matt. -3/14/2005
The crown of Dalemark -Jones, Diana Wynne. -3/14/2005
Solitude standing [sound recording] -Vega, Suzanne. -3/14/2005
Jurassic Park [videorecording] -Spielberg, Steven, 1946- -3/9/2005
Life on a string [sound recording] -Anderson, Laurie, 1947- -3/9/2005
World without tears [sound recording] -Williams, Lucinda. -3/9/2005
99.9 F [sound recording] -Vega, Suzanne. -3/9/2005
Songs in red and gray [sound recording] -Vega, Suzanne. -3/9/2005
12 greatest hits. Vol. II [sound recording] -Diamond, Neil. -3/9/2005
Lord of the rings. The return of the king [videorecording] -Osborne, Barrie. -3/9/2005
Ransom [videorecording] -Howard, Ron. -3/9/2005
Proof of life [videorecording] -Ryan, Meg. -3/9/2005
The spellcoats -Jones, Diana Wynne. -3/9/2005
Addams family values [videorecording] -Sonnenfeld, Barry. -3/1/2005
The Addams family [videorecording] -Sonnenfeld, Barry. -3/1/2005
Addams family reunion [videorecording] -Payne, Dave. -2/28/2005
Entrapment [videorecording] -Amiel, Jon. -2/28/2005
The full monty [videorecording] -Cattaneo, Peter. -2/28/2005
A sudden wild magic -Jones, Diana Wynne. -2/22/2005
Cart and cwidder -Jones, Diana Wynne. -2/22/2005
Drowned Ammet -Jones, Diana Wynne. -2/22/2005
The Homeward Bounders -Jones, Diana Wynne. -2/22/2005
Office space [videorecording] -Judge, Mike. -2/22/2005
Trainspotting [videorecording] -Boyle, Danny. -2/22/2005
Lord of the rings. The fellowship of the ring [videorecording] -Osborne, Barrie M. -2/22/2005
The associate [videorecording] -Petrie, Donald. -2/22/2005
The Animatrix [videorecording] -Wachowski, Andy, 1967- -1/29/2005
Matrix reloaded [videorecording] -Silver, Joel. -1/25/2005
The matrix [videorecording] -Wachowski, Andy. -1/25/2005
The matrix revolutions [videorecording] -Silver, Joel. -1/25/2005
Cause of death -Cornwell, Patricia Daniels. -1/25/2005
Petra : lost city of the ancient world -Auge, Christian. -1/25/2005
Deep impact [videorecording] -Leder, Mimi. -1/24/2005
Armageddon : the cosmic battle of the ages -LaHaye, Tim F. -1/24/2005
Desecration : Antichrist takes the throne -LaHaye, Tim F. -1/24/2005
The remnant : on the brink of Armageddon -LaHaye, Tim F. -1/24/2005
From Potter's field -Cornwell, Patricia Daniels. -1/19/2005
Assassins : assignment-Jerusalem, target-Antichrist -LaHaye, Tim F. -1/19/2005
The mark : the beast rules the world -LaHaye, Tim F. -1/19/2005
Postmortem -Cornwell, Patricia Daniels. -12/29/2004
Body of evidence -Cornwell, Patricia Daniels. -12/29/2004
Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban [videorecording] -Cuaron, Alfonso. -12/29/2004
The School of Rock [videorecording] -Linklater, Richard, 1960- -12/29/2004
A.I. Artificial intelligence [videorecording] -Kennedy, Kathleen, 1954- -12/29/2004
School of wizardry. -Doyle, Debra, 1952- -12/29/2004
Sandry's book. -Pierce, Tamora. -12/29/2004
Left behind : a novel of the Earth's last days -LaHaye, Tim F. -12/29/2004
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid [videorecording] -Hill, George Roy, 1922- -12/29/2004
Cryptonomicon -Stephenson, Neal. -12/23/2004
The Awakeners -Tepper, Sheri S. -12/23/2004
Singer from the sea -Tepper, Sheri S. -12/23/2004
Mixed magics. -Jones, Diana Wynne. -12/23/2004
Charmed life -Jones, Diana Wynne. -12/23/2004
GENERIC MATERIAL --12/23/2004
STORM FRONT --11/20/2004
Ed Wood [videorecording] -Burton, Tim, 1960- -11/20/2004
Heavenly creatures [videorecording] -Jackson, Peter. -11/20/2004
Independence day [videorecording] -Emmerich, Roland -11/20/2004
The companions -Tepper, Sheri S. -11/20/2004
Blow fly -Cornwell, Patricia Daniels. -11/20/2004
When body language goes bad -Adams, Scott, 1957- -11/20/2004
Please don't feed the egos : and other tips for corporate survival -Adams, Scott, 1957- -11/20/2004
Casual day has gone too far -Adams, Scott, 1957- -11/20/2004
Build a better life by stealing office supplies : Dogbert's big book of business -Adams, Scott, 1957- -11/20/2004
Always postpone meetings with time-wasting morons -Adams, Scott, 1957- -11/20/2004
It's the thought that counts-- : For better or for worse fifteenth anniversary collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -11/15/2004
Things are looking up-- : a for better or for worse collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -11/15/2004
Dolores Claiborne [videorecording] -Hackford, Taylor, 1945- -11/15/2004
The Lost boys [videorecording] -Schumacher, Joel, 1939- -11/15/2004
What, me pregnant? : a For better or for worse collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -11/15/2004
I'm the one that I want -Cho, Margaret. -11/15/2004
Trace -Cornwell, Patricia Daniels. -11/15/2004
It's my party [videorecording] -Kleiser, Randal, 1946- -11/8/2004
Air Force One [videorecording] -Petersen, Wolfgang. -11/8/2004
My best friend is a vampire [videorecording] -Huston, Jimmy. -11/8/2004
Stardance -Robinson, Spider -11/8/2004
Starseed -Robinson, Spider -11/8/2004
Monty Python's The meaning of life [videorecording] -Jones, Terry, 1942- -11/8/2004
The hostile hospital -Snicket, Lemony -11/8/2004
The vile village -Snicket, Lemony -11/8/2004
Lost in transmission. -McCarthy, Wil -11/8/2004
It's all downhill from here : a For better or for worse collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -11/3/2004
Starmind -Robinson, Spider -11/3/2004
If this is a lecture, how long will it be? : a For Better or for worse collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -11/3/2004
A look inside-- for better or for worse : the 10th anniversary collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -11/3/2004
At play in the fields of the Lord [videorecording] -Babenco, Hector. -11/3/2004
Dog & butterfly [sound recording] -Heart (Musical group) -10/29/2004
The Animatrix [videorecording] -Wachowski, Andy, 1967- -10/29/2004
Insomnia [videorecording] -Skjoldbjaerg, Erik, 1965- -10/29/2004
Donnie Darko [videorecording] -Kelly, Richard. -10/29/2004
Alas, Babylon; a novel. -Frank, Pat, 1908- -10/29/2004
Shay Pendray's inventive needlework. -Pendray, Shay. -10/29/2004
Keep the home fries burning : a For Better or for worse collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -10/26/2004
Just one more hug : a For better or for worse collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -10/26/2004
The last straw : a for better or for worse collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -10/26/2004
What about Bob? [videorecording] -Oz, Frank. -10/22/2004
Apollo 13 [videorecording] -Howard, Ron. -10/22/2004
The sum of us [videorecording] -Dowling, Kevin. -10/22/2004
The red violin [videorecording] -Girard, Francois, 1956- -10/22/2004
Big science [sound recording] -Anderson, Laurie, 1947- -10/22/2004
3rd degree : a novel -Patterson, James, 1947- -10/22/2004
It must be nice to be little : a For better or for worse collection -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -10/19/2004
The friendly guide to mythology : a mortal's companion to the fantastical realm of gods, goddesses, monsters, and heroes -Hathaway, Nancy, 1946- -10/19/2004
I've got the one-more-washload blues-- / by Lynn Johnston. -Johnston, Lynn Franks, 1947- -10/19/2004
How to calculate quickly : the art of calculation -Sticker, Henry. -10/19/2004
Toads -Murray, Julie, 1969- -10/19/2004
A book of Pacific lullabies -Duder, Tessa. -10/19/2004
Quicksilver -Stephenson, Neal. -10/8/2004
The austere academy -Snicket, Lemony -10/8/2004
The ersatz elevator -Snicket, Lemony. -10/8/2004
A place of hiding -George, Elizabeth. -10/8/2004
In pursuit of the proper sinner -George, Elizabeth. -10/8/2004
The seeing stone -DiTerlizzi, Tony -10/8/2004
2nd chance : a novel -Patterson, James, 1947- -10/6/2004
The miserable mill -Snicket, Lemony -10/6/2004
Whispers -Koontz, Dean R. (Dean Ray), 1945- -10/6/2004
1st to die : a novel -Patterson, James, 1947- -10/2/2004
The reflexology manual : an easy-to-use illustrated guide to the healing zones of the hands and feet -Wills, Pauline. -10/2/2004
Colour reflexology : for health & healing -Wills, Pauline. -10/2/2004
Souls to soles : a self-help exploration of reflexology -Rude, Paul. -10/2/2004
Did Adam and Eve have navels? : discourses on reflexology, numerology, urine therapy, and other dubious subjects -Gardner, Martin, 1914- -10/2/2004
The field guide -DiTerlizzi, Tony -10/2/2004
Feet first : a guide to foot reflexology -Norman, Laura. -10/2/2004
I wonder why triceratops had horns and other questions about dinosaurs -Theodorou, Rod. -9/25/2004
The foot book : healing the body through foot reflexology -Berkson, Devaki. -9/25/2004
Zone therapy using foot massage -Goosmann-Legger, Astrid I. -9/25/2004
The healing power of colour : how to use colour to improve your mental, physical and spiritual well-being -Wood, Betty. -9/25/2004
Salome dances for peace [sound recording] -Riley, Terry, 1935- -9/25/2004
Salome dances for peace [sound recording] -Riley, Terry, 1935- -9/25/2004
The wide window -Snicket, Lemony -9/25/2004
Quicksilver : a "nameless detective" mystery -Pronzini, Bill -9/25/2004
Painting with a needle : learning the art of silk embroidery with Young Yang Chung -Chung, Young Yang. -9/22/2004
The courage to heal : a guide for women survivors of child sexual abuse : featuring "Honoring the truth, a response to the backlash" -Bass, Ellen. -9/22/2004
The reptile room -Snicket, Lemony -9/22/2004
Meddle [sound recording]. -Pink Floyd (Musical quartet) -9/22/2004
Art access pass : free admission to Tacoma Art Museum. -Tacoma Art Museum -9/18/2004
Five goofy ghosts -Stamper, Judith Bauer -9/18/2004
The walls of Jerusalem -Canetti, Nicolai. -9/18/2004
The Jews--God's people -Jacoby, Hilla. -9/18/2004
Sewing lingerie that fits : stylish underwear, sleepwear, and loungewear for everyday living -Morris, Karen. -9/18/2004
Circuit of heaven. -Danvers, Dennis. -9/18/2004
Reunion [sound recording] -Black Sabbath (Musical group) -9/18/2004
Reunion [sound recording] -Black Sabbath (Musical group) -9/18/2004
The Hot Flash Club -Thayer, Nancy, 1943- -9/15/2004
Embroidery stitches; an illustrated guide. -Butler, Anne. -9/15/2004
Silk ribbon embroidery for gifts and garments -Bradford, Jenny, 1936- -9/15/2004
Teach yourself needlepoint -Christensen, Jo Ippolito. -9/15/2004
Better homes and gardens embroidery. --9/15/2004
Green mars -Robinson, Kim Stanley. -9/9/2004
Blue Mars -Robinson, Kim Stanley. -9/7/2004
ELO's greatest hits [sound recording]. -Lynne, Jeff. -9/7/2004
The grand illusion [sound recording] -Styx (Musical group) -9/7/2004
Six feet under. The complete first season, disc 3, episodes 8-10 [videorecording] -Andries, Laurence. -9/4/2004
Red Mars -Robinson, Kim Stanley. -9/4/2004
3rd degree : a novel -Patterson, James, 1947- -9/4/2004
Baby Galileo [videorecording] : discovering the sky -Walt Disney Home Entertainment. -8/30/2004
Topsy-Turvy [videorecording] -Leigh, Mike, 1943- -8/30/2004
Major league [videorecording] : back to the minors -Bakula, Scott. -8/30/2004
Crunch smash trash! [videorecording] : monster machines that recycle. -In-Sites Productions (Firm) -8/30/2004
Bob's favorite adventures [videorecording] -Cockle, Jackie. -8/30/2004
How do they do that? [videorecording] -Salter Street Films. -8/30/2004
Against our will : men, women, and rape -Brownmiller, Susan. -8/30/2004
Getting started : clicker training for cats -Pryor, Karen. -8/30/2004
Six feet under. The complete first season, disc 2, episodes 4-7 [videorecording] -Andries, Laurence. -8/25/2004
Godel, Escher, Bach : an eternal golden braid -Hofstadter, Douglas R., 1945- -8/25/2004
The professor and the madman : a tale of murder, insanity, and the making of the Oxford English dictionary -Winchester, Simon. -8/25/2004
Getting started : clicker training for cats -Pryor, Karen. -8/25/2004
Clicking with your dog : step-by-step in pictures -Tillman, Peggy. -8/25/2004
Greatest hits [sound recording] -Heart (Musical group) -8/21/2004
Hysteria [sound recording] -Def Leppard (Musical group) -8/21/2004
Heart greatest hits [sound recording] : 1985-1995 -Heart (Musical group) -8/21/2004
ELO's greatest hits [sound recording]. -Lynne, Jeff. -8/21/2004
Toto IV [sound recording] -Toto (Musical group) -8/21/2004
Desire walks on [sound recording]. -Heart (Musical group) -8/21/2004
The bodacious book of succulence : daring to live your succulent wild life! -Sark. -8/21/2004
Black Sunday -Harris, Thomas, 1940- -8/16/2004
The negotiator -Henderson, Dee. -8/16/2004
Meddle [sound recording]. -Pink Floyd (Musical quartet) -8/6/2004
Great cello concertos [sound recording]. -Ma, Yo-Yo, 1955- -8/6/2004
Wish you were here [sound recording] -Pink Floyd (Musical quartet) -7/29/2004
Delicate sound of thunder [sound recording]. -Pink Floyd (Musical quartet) -7/29/2004
Delicate sound of thunder [sound recording]. -Pink Floyd (Musical quartet) -7/29/2004
The sweetest illusion [sound recording]. -Basia. -7/29/2004
X [sound recording] -Def Leppard (Musical group) -7/29/2004
No rest for the wicked [sound recording] -Osbourne, Ozzy, 1948- -7/22/2004
Burning bright -Scott, Melissa -7/22/2004
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency -Adams, Douglas, 1952- -7/22/2004
A wizard of Earthsea. -Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929- -7/22/2004
Hits out of hell [sound recording] -Meat Loaf (Vocalist), 1948- -7/22/2004
The secret of Nimh. -O'Brien, Robert C. -7/16/2004
Hittin' the note [sound recording] -Allman Brothers Band. -7/16/2004
Aerosmith's greatest hits [sound recording] -Aerosmith (Musical group) -7/16/2004
Tales from Earthsea -Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929- -7/16/2004
Tehanu : the last book of Earthsea -Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929- -7/16/2004
The tombs of Atuan -Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929- -7/16/2004
The gate to Women's Country -Tepper, Sheri S. -7/16/2004
Dreamships -Scott, Melissa -7/16/2004
The farthest shore -Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929- -7/16/2004
Night sky mine -Scott, Melissa -7/16/2004
R-T, Margaret, and the rats of NIMH -Conly, Jane Leslie. -7/15/2004
Racso and the rats of Nimh. -Conly, Jane Leslie. -7/15/2004
The jazz -Scott, Melissa -7/15/2004

Air Force One

I had an unusual reaction to this cheesy action film; I felt a moment of pride. For those that haven't seen the film, Air Force One (the president's plane) is hijacked. As the pilots try to land the plane, the captain tells his co-pilot, "No matter what, we land this plane." And they do their damnedest; continuing to land when the terrorists break in and point a gun at the pilot. Even with a gun pressed to his head, his life severely threatened, he continues landing the plane. He is shot dead. The co-pilot now has visible, visceral proof that the hi-jackers are willing to kill if he doesn't do what they say, but he keeps landing the plane. Of course, for this movie to work, he gets shot in the head as well, and a terrorist takes over the plane.

Now, back in my living room, I had just recently listened to some songs commemorating the 9/11 tragedy. I couldn't help comparing what these movie pilots with the passengers and crew of the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania. (I observe a news boycott, so I periodically feel the need to review the huge events of the world. I don't want the daily trauma of news, but that doesn't mean I feel free to forget what has happened.)

What I felt wasn't patriotism. I couldn't care less that the movie pilots were trying to save the president, and the pilot's own nationality was of no concern. Rather, I was touched by the idea of people doing what was right, even when it costs them their lives.

I'm a big fan of people (of all political and national origins) doing the right thing.

Stepford Wives (2004)

Well, I haven't seen the original yet, so it will be interesting to compare the two. But with that out of the way, I kind of liked it. Not an overly serious movie, I found it visually pleasant and a fine way to spend a couple of hours.

My quote? "I asked myself, 'Where would no one notice a town full of robots?' Connecticut."

I've not spent any time in Connecticut, but it made me laugh!