Lighter things. Sort of.

So, movies that I want to see:

Star Trek. I KNOW I KNOW. I can't believe I haven't seen it either.
Terminator. I loves me some Christian Bale and explosions.
Night at the Museum. SMITHSONIAN! AWESOME!

I don't even know what else is out right now, but I want to see these three forthwith.

This weekend was simply delightful. I managed to scam five meals from my awesome friends! Picked up some ramen noodles from Costco on Saturday. Monday, Rosemary and I went to H-Mart in Catonsville. It was v. empty, either because it was a holiday, or because North Korea tested nuclear weapons that morning. I would have stayed home and hugged my family, too.

And in the evening, I helped friends move furniture around for their wee dumpling that is in the oven.

Tonight is recycling night, so I'll be able to get rid of some boxes I've had hanging around. Keeping my bottles, though, so we can bottle the mead and sorrell wine that Marc and I brewed a few months ago. Exciting!!

Bit the bullet and put an air conditioner in my bedroom on Sunday afternoon. Need to find the remote that goes with it, though, because I am definitely not coordinated enough to flail around in the middle of the night when I wake up sweaty and can't see the buttons. I know it's around somewhere, probably under my bed. Natch.

I can't think of anything else right now.

huuuuugs.

Study says pertussis risk is higher for unvaccinated kids.

Really? Not having a vaccine means you are more likely to catch the disease? Really?

DUH.

This is an issue that I feel very strongly about, to the point that I don't have an objective opinion. Vaccinate your kids. Just do it.

Happy Birthday to ME!

My father very generously bought me a new macbook tonight. I have decided to name her Sinta, in the tradition of the late Winesap and the old and ailing Egremont.

I AM THRILLED BEYOND MEASURE!!!!! I have missed having a laptop so badly, and now I have delicious mobility again. AND I can have more than one program open at the same time and not get the annoying beach-ball every time I click on a link.

PLEASED.

Apocalypse: not yet? Also, gushing over Frances Hardinge.

So, the world did not end this weekend. Awesome.

I am only a little disappointed that I wasn't able to use my skillz to fashion a zombie-killing shiv from a lawnmower blade.

ANYWAY: in other, less bloodthirsty news, I have just finished reading Gullstruck Island by Frances Hardinge. With this book, Frances has solidified her position as my number one all time most favoritest author. Ever. She writes characters so undeniably real that you cannot help but fall in love with all of them, including the villains. AND HER VILLAINS! They are complex and beautiful, never comical or over-the-top. Situations are never black and white - there is never just one solution. Her heroes are strong even when they can't see their own strength.

In her first book, Fly by Night, Frances introduced us to Mosca Mye. Immediately, I knew that Mosca and I were kindred. She's got moxie for days, and is stubborn and doesn't always know what she wants until she knows that she wants it. This is one of those books that adult readers will wish they had when they were twelve.

And then, with Verdigris Deep/Well Witched, we met Ryan Doyle. Ryan is the sort of thoughtful boy that the good girls fall in love with - they can't help it. He's loyal and intelligent, and cares about the right things. He's not afraid to take the burden of something he knows is too big for someone else.

And now, with Gullstruck Island/Lost Conspiracy, we have Hathin. The girl who isn't supposed to be noticed. Who goes on an impossible mission of vengeance for her people. Who takes on volcanoes and politicians and magic so much larger than herself and who doesn't even stop to wonder if maybe someone else may be better suited. She's the strength we all wish we had.

These books will always hold a treasured place in my bookshelves, and I will give them to my kids. The Lost Conspiracy is due out in September, and I can't wait to see what Frances comes up with next!

ETA: The Lost Conspiracy is, in fact, Gullstruck Island, just under a different name. It appears that Hardinge has fallen victim to that time-honored tradition of changing book names when crossing the Atlantic. Alas.

constant vigilance!

i'm just going to say this no matter how ridiculous it sounds. I'm going to Ohio this weekend, and I am genuinely a little nervous that I cannot take my sword on the plane.

Does that sound crazy? Yes, of course it does, but it is my only weapon in the world, and if the Apocalypse happens when I'm in the Midwest, damnit, I want some cold steel for protection.

At least part of the time we'll be in the suburbs, and my grandmothers house is well situated to see many angles.

WHAT. DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE YOU DON'T EXAMINE YOUR SURROUNDINGS FOR ROUTES OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF ZOMBIES AND VELOCIRAPTORS. IF YOU SAY YOU DON'T, YOU'RE CLEARLY LYING.