Blood and vodka
No, this isn't a post about nursedarry's clinic. I've jumped from the court of the Sun King straight into Russian vampires. It's called Nightwatch by Sergei Lukyanekko. Actually, more than vampires. The Light and Dark sides, watchers for both sides trying to keep the balance, Others going rogue, magicians, witches, shape-shifters, werewolves/cats, you name it. I was a bit confused in the first chapter, but it's clipping right along nicely now. Good that it's written by a man, too, so we get rid of all that romantic vampire stuff. Although the Other realm is called Twilight in this, which is a bit humorous. No sparkling, though! It's an interesting paranormal tale, but also has some rather thoughtful social commentary between the lines, especially the "registration" of all vampires, particularly of those who are born vamps but don't break the "laws" as set forth by the Dark and Light. Oh, and infernal vortices! I think that's my favorite part of the book so far. Even saying "damn you" to someone puts a vortex over their head (that humans can't see, of course, but it makes them feel a bit off). But the infernal vortex is something scary. Haven't figured out what that's bringing forth yet.
My only complaint so far is that I think the richness of the prose is a bit lost in translation. Not too much, but it reads a bit choppy in places. And there is gratuitous use of the exclamation mark.
Tara came over this morning with a box a danishes (plus one pain au chocolat pour moi!). Had a nice nosh, and then I forced myself to get on the treadmill before I went into a coma (at least Erik made scrambled eggs to help balance out the butter and sugar!). Must now attack the yard again, as the ivy is trying to eat the deck. I want to slap whoever planted the cursed stuff. And due to my OCD gardening habits, I spent the bulk of yesterday afternoon re-arranging flowers in pots (for the 2nd time this week), as I hit Molbaks and had to buy snapdragons since I didn't have any yet...and then another heavenly bamboo for a container on the deck since the one out front has been so hardy, along with something called a...have to check my document (I have to type them all up, or I forget what I've planted...&@&#*% how the crap do you OPEN in Word 07?? I hate this shit! forget this, I'll go through explorer...) Ah ha, something called a firebird penstemon. It looks a bit like a cross between a foxglove and a tall fuschia.
Now if I could only get the dahlia tubers to grow something besides lazy sprouts, I'll be in business.
It's my lipstick on the pig approach to making me feel better about the current condition of my house!
Okay, must be productive now.
My only complaint so far is that I think the richness of the prose is a bit lost in translation. Not too much, but it reads a bit choppy in places. And there is gratuitous use of the exclamation mark.
Tara came over this morning with a box a danishes (plus one pain au chocolat pour moi!). Had a nice nosh, and then I forced myself to get on the treadmill before I went into a coma (at least Erik made scrambled eggs to help balance out the butter and sugar!). Must now attack the yard again, as the ivy is trying to eat the deck. I want to slap whoever planted the cursed stuff. And due to my OCD gardening habits, I spent the bulk of yesterday afternoon re-arranging flowers in pots (for the 2nd time this week), as I hit Molbaks and had to buy snapdragons since I didn't have any yet...and then another heavenly bamboo for a container on the deck since the one out front has been so hardy, along with something called a...have to check my document (I have to type them all up, or I forget what I've planted...&@&#*% how the crap do you OPEN in Word 07?? I hate this shit! forget this, I'll go through explorer...) Ah ha, something called a firebird penstemon. It looks a bit like a cross between a foxglove and a tall fuschia.
Now if I could only get the dahlia tubers to grow something besides lazy sprouts, I'll be in business.
It's my lipstick on the pig approach to making me feel better about the current condition of my house!
Okay, must be productive now.