What I've been doing during my winter vacation
Reading, of course. Actually, not as much of that as I wanted to, frankly. Book 158, Next by Michael Crichton. My favorite part of this book was the very front page. "This novel is fiction, except for the parts that aren't." This novel take genetic engineering to the nth degree. It was amusing, boring, unrealistic and scary. Often all at the same time. Some of the pieces he references I remember reading in the Boston Globe. That doesn't mean they are real. It simply means the legitimate-ish press didn't do any fact checking. There is no question that we are heading toward some scary times. But I suspect that if we went back and spoke with Galileo, he'd tell us the same thing about the scary times. 3.5 stars.
Book 159, Vampirates by Justin Somper. I listened to this and would highly recommend it to the YA crowd. It's recommended for 12 and up. Twins Connor and Grace have no idea what will become of them when their father dies leaving them destitute. A daring escape on the high seas separates them. Connor to the pirates and Grace to something a little different. I hope to heck, this is the first in a series because the characters were all fully developed, the paranormal aspects all had their own spin. At first, I thought it was going to be stupid. It takes place in 2505. But that isn't really relevant to the story. If I hadn't know that, I would have assumed the book took place in the early 1900s. The story easily kept my attention. It runs for 7.25 hours and I've listened to it all in 3 days. This will be up for grabs once I finish the review. CDs. 4.5 stars.
Spent more time unproductively in front of the DVD player. Watched Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines. I didn't like this one as much as the first. Sequels rarely outdo their first outings. I never warmed to Gabriel Anwar and missed the learning curve that Flynn had in the first movie. But it was cute. Next up, Charade. An oldie but a goodie. Who doesn't like Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant? But I was a little bored. I never warmed to Audrey Hepburn's character. Finally, Frida with Selma Hayak. This was a fascinating movie. Artists are different from the rest of us. They feel things that us mortals just don't. She led an incredible life.
Made spicy white chicken chili tonight. It wasn't as spicy as the last time. I think I used less adobo sauce. There was less to use. But it was still good. I will end up with a packed freezer, which is not a bad thing at all. I have a few more exciting meals planned for the rest of the week include Parmesan crusted chicken cutlets with butternut squash fries and butternut squash lasagna. It keeps me off the streets.
I've been doing a lot of shopping. Bath and Body Works is having an amazing sale. Bed Bath and Beyond is going to need to issue a special credit card just for me. I went in with a list and walked out with everything on the list. I was very excited. I am still looking for holiday cards for next year, but so far the leftovers look unappetizing. I stopped by Macy's to check out luggage. I think I'm going to replace my small Travel Pro. After 12 years of hard use, it's finished. I've loved it but it's time. Macy's had a Samsonite that looked like it could work. In my price range. I think if I get that, it could signal the end of this shopping spree. I'd like some clothes but not until I've tried on every item I own. I have an obscene amount of clothing and I am not sure how much of it I really want. Which reminds me, I need to find a tailor. And a dentist. But that's another question.
Tomorrow is the first day that I have real places to go and things to do. I'm having lunch with a friend I haven't seen since I moved. He was instrumental in my having my new job. I've been dying to see him. The funny thing, I think I've only met him twice. But I really liked him. He just took a new job with our other mutual friend. I'm jealous, but I really do love my own job. Then I am meeting with my, yet again, new financial advisor. This guy looks like he may be a winner. At least I don't think he's going to quit or be fired. It's timely since I have a $5k installment due on my assessment next week. I'd panic about the whole co-op thing if I thought it would do any good. Since it won't, I'm trying to smile a lot. Taxes this year should be a real blast.
On that note, I think it's bedtime.
Book 159, Vampirates by Justin Somper. I listened to this and would highly recommend it to the YA crowd. It's recommended for 12 and up. Twins Connor and Grace have no idea what will become of them when their father dies leaving them destitute. A daring escape on the high seas separates them. Connor to the pirates and Grace to something a little different. I hope to heck, this is the first in a series because the characters were all fully developed, the paranormal aspects all had their own spin. At first, I thought it was going to be stupid. It takes place in 2505. But that isn't really relevant to the story. If I hadn't know that, I would have assumed the book took place in the early 1900s. The story easily kept my attention. It runs for 7.25 hours and I've listened to it all in 3 days. This will be up for grabs once I finish the review. CDs. 4.5 stars.
Spent more time unproductively in front of the DVD player. Watched Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines. I didn't like this one as much as the first. Sequels rarely outdo their first outings. I never warmed to Gabriel Anwar and missed the learning curve that Flynn had in the first movie. But it was cute. Next up, Charade. An oldie but a goodie. Who doesn't like Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant? But I was a little bored. I never warmed to Audrey Hepburn's character. Finally, Frida with Selma Hayak. This was a fascinating movie. Artists are different from the rest of us. They feel things that us mortals just don't. She led an incredible life.
Made spicy white chicken chili tonight. It wasn't as spicy as the last time. I think I used less adobo sauce. There was less to use. But it was still good. I will end up with a packed freezer, which is not a bad thing at all. I have a few more exciting meals planned for the rest of the week include Parmesan crusted chicken cutlets with butternut squash fries and butternut squash lasagna. It keeps me off the streets.
I've been doing a lot of shopping. Bath and Body Works is having an amazing sale. Bed Bath and Beyond is going to need to issue a special credit card just for me. I went in with a list and walked out with everything on the list. I was very excited. I am still looking for holiday cards for next year, but so far the leftovers look unappetizing. I stopped by Macy's to check out luggage. I think I'm going to replace my small Travel Pro. After 12 years of hard use, it's finished. I've loved it but it's time. Macy's had a Samsonite that looked like it could work. In my price range. I think if I get that, it could signal the end of this shopping spree. I'd like some clothes but not until I've tried on every item I own. I have an obscene amount of clothing and I am not sure how much of it I really want. Which reminds me, I need to find a tailor. And a dentist. But that's another question.
Tomorrow is the first day that I have real places to go and things to do. I'm having lunch with a friend I haven't seen since I moved. He was instrumental in my having my new job. I've been dying to see him. The funny thing, I think I've only met him twice. But I really liked him. He just took a new job with our other mutual friend. I'm jealous, but I really do love my own job. Then I am meeting with my, yet again, new financial advisor. This guy looks like he may be a winner. At least I don't think he's going to quit or be fired. It's timely since I have a $5k installment due on my assessment next week. I'd panic about the whole co-op thing if I thought it would do any good. Since it won't, I'm trying to smile a lot. Taxes this year should be a real blast.
On that note, I think it's bedtime.