I used to read one book at a time

My good friend Cobwebs hooked me up with Good Reads as a means of peering into each other's reading lists.

There are several book-ish sites out there. Previously, I tried out Shelfari. What I like about Good Reads is the multiple shelf approach. The default shelves include: Read It, Reading, and To Read. You can also make up your own shelves (ex. Recommended by a Friend, Feel Guilty for Not Reading, etc.)

Currently, my Currently Reading shelf has gotten ridiculous. I used to read one book at a time. I swore by this approach. If I had more than one book going, I found myself easily confused, mish-mashing the contents of the multiple books I was reading. Apparently, I have become much more adept at task (re: book) switching. Here is what I am currently in the process of reading:

• Scattered Minds: Hope and Help for Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by Adler, Lenard (started two days ago)


• The Joy of Drinking by Holland, Barbara (started reading last fall - distracted by other things, nearly done though)


• The Protector's War by Stirling, S.M. - (started reading over a year ago - not as good as the first book in the series, hope to finish by Xmoose)


• The Holy Road by Blake, Michael (started reading on vacation last week - nearly done!)


• How to Read a French Fry: And Other Stories of Intriguing Kitchen Science by Parsons, Russ (started reading this April - got distracted by school reading)


• The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Ackerman, Diane (started reading this winter - got distracted by school reading)


• The Film Club: A True Story of a Father and Son by Gilmour, David (Started reading about a month ago)


• Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (started listening to this in the car this week

I think I may actually be in the midst of a couple of other books. These eight are just the ones that I remember. I have a huge stack of reading materials in the bathroom (yes, I am one of those weird people) and next to the exercise bike. Most of the stacks consist of periodicals. However, there are monographs wedged within the mixes of each.

I really do like to read (either with my eyes or with my ears). There's something very satisfying about cramming new ideas and information into my head. I used to prefer fiction a bit more than non-fiction. Now, I think the scales have shifted in the opposite direction.

Looking at the length and diversity of the list, I guess Grendel is not the only member of our household who currently abides with ADD.

Atheist soldier sues Army for 'unconstitutional' discrimination

I truly applaud Army Spc. Jeremy Hall. I wish him well in his suit against the Army for 'unconstitutional' discrimination. I don't think he'll win, but I really want him to. What I find interesting about his case is that he was raised a Baptist and he carried a Bible with him to Iraq. Then, after things he experienced, he found himself more comfortable with atheism. Doesn't the old adage go: "There are no atheists in foxholes?" Well, I guess there are after all.

Unfortunately, these days, there does not appear to be a career path for an atheist in the Army. Hall was told that if he couldn't "... put my personal beliefs aside and pray with troops (he) wouldn't make a good leader."

Apparently there's a rising number of fundamentalists in the military these days. I guess that makes sense in a way. When you find yourself involved in a war that is unpopular at home, as well as around the world, patriotism alone might not be enough to get you through the day.

Good luck, Jeremy. Considering the leaning of the Federal courts these days, you're going to need it.

Hot as Hell's Kitchen?

We watch very little 'mainstream' television. I was amused to discover that the number 10 show in last week's ratings is one we watch: Hell's Kitchen

What is the attraction for us? Is it that Gordon Ramsey comes off as a complete jerk? Is it that the contestants seem so clueless that you wonder how they made the cut to even get on the show? Is it the fact that my son and I love cooking shows in general?

Um ... YES?!

For the most part, we stay away from realty television. However, we love watching Chef Ramsey yell at the contestants like they're complete idiots. We love it when one of them actually manages to please the jerk. We REALLY love it when one of them screws up so royally that Ramsey threatens to throw them out of the kitchen (and sometimes does). Will they complete the evening's dinner service? Will the self-absorbed conceited culinary artist learn to be a team player and/or learn to bend to the will of the Chef? Will the wide-eyed newbie rise to the pace of Hell's Kitchen?

We recorded this evening's season finale. So, I don't yet know whether Petroza (the sweet tempered slob) or Christina (the under-experienced culinary student) won the day. I'm rooting for Petroza. Christina was easily overwhelmed in early episodes. And while she won more individual challenges, Petroza kept his head and maintained an even keel throughout almost every episode (though Chef threw him out of the kitchen in one episode, and he had to be convinced by another contestant to come back and try again.)

Mindless waste of time? Probably. But, it's one of our guilty pleasures. Plus, I think it's fun (in a sick kind of way) to watch someone else get stomped on for minor screw ups, after spending a day at work feeling either under-appreciated or embarrassed for messing something up that you should have known better than to do.

What would you do for a Klondike bar?

The following meme is from Barbie2Be

What would you do with a million dollars?
What would you do with 10,000 dollars?
What would you do with 1,000 dollars?
What would you do with 100 dollars?

A million dollars? Pay off various and sundry debts. Give 10% to my constantly struggling church. Quit my long-commute job and find something closer, that would probably be a LOT less lucrative.

Ten thousand dollars? Finish my basement.

A thousand dollars? I'd do a fabulous spa weekend with half of it, and put the rest in the bank for the inevitable car crisis that always seems to occur whenever I have a windfall.

A hundred dollars? Go out for a nice dinner and a little shopping.

Vacations are never long enough

We arrived home today after our six-day vacation. On Sunday, we deposited Grendel in Rhode Island with Goblin's family. We ourselves continued on to Mystic, CT, for forty-eight hours of 'adult time'.

In Mystic, we checked into our hotel, relaxed for a bit, and then went to dinner at the hotel-affiliated Ground Round restaurant. The most intriguing aspect of our vacation was this dinner. We were seated in a booth in the bar, away from the families with small children in the main restaurant. Seconds later, someone from the next booth came over after recognizing Goblin. It turned out that several martial arts friends of his were in Mystic for a wooden boat show. Very strange coincidence, indeed.

The next day, we went into Mystic and did some tourist stuff, including having a quaint lunch at the Little Kitchen. Afterwards, we returned to the hotel for a swim and a nap. Then we headed over to Mohegan Sun for a little gambling and oogling. We only dropped about $100. It was an amusing adventure though. What a spectacle!

On Tuesday, we headed back to Rhode Island to commune with family. We spent the next several days doing a lot of nothing. Our son, and the grandparents, are seriously into tennis; so, we were witness to a great deal of Wimbeldon (Go Venus!).

The house that Goblin's parents rented was on the water and had a lovely view. Sadly, since they were used to Texas heat they were not as uncomfortable with the mugginess of the weather, so we didn't turn the air conditioning on. The first night we barely slept. We ended up buying some fans for our room the next day, which did help, but it was still extremely soupy the entire visit.

On Wednesday evening, we ventured out to see Will Smith's new movie: "Hancock". It was an amusing divergent flick. Nothing stunning or truly original, mind you. But, a worthwhile vacation encounter.

On Friday night, we had the best seats in the state for fireworks. Several households, on the water, put on pretty glorious fireworks shows. Plus, we could see the commercial-grade show over at Fall River (MA) from a distance. We watched the festivities from the comfort of a screened in porch. I can't imagine doing it any other way from now on!

I have tons of pictures, but the following is a mystery I'd like help solving. We encountered this flock of birds near where we were staying in Warren, RI. They kind of look like a cross between turkeys and pheasants. Any idea what they are?



We will be Grendel-free until 7/31, and then only for a day or so. He has a camping trip here in NH. Afterwards, he will return to RI for three more weeks. Hopefully, the rest of the family will not be tired of him by that point. And, who knows, maybe we'll all get along better after the extended break from one another.

While Grendel is gone, I plan on doing a lot of little projects around the house. And, generally enjoying my freedom to be a poor example (irregular meal times, bed times, and general sloth). I'm sure he'll enjoy lax rules under the reign of his grandparents. Though they said that they plan to maintain a certain level of structure while he's there. ...right...

I need to get back to enjoying our kitties. We did miss them a great deal while we were away.