Book reviews - April and May

Okay here are April & May's books/reviews:

and the shadows took him, Daniel Chacon.
A young Hispanic boy lives his childhood as he is moved from California to Oregon while his father struggles to become a respectable middle class man in a very white town. This was really good. The characters popped out - they weren't cliches, and their fights and frustrations felt real. It was a bit predictable in parts, but I couldn't stop turning pages on this one.

A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages, Kristin Chenoweth
this book turned me into a bit of a stan for her. It reads just like how I think she would speak, despite having a ghostwriter. There's a surprise visit by Mister Writer (aka Aaron Sorkin) in the book. Their romance is really the reason why I picked it up. I lent this out to my coworker Jess who reminds me a lot of her.

Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters.
This is a novel set in Victorian England, following the career of Nan King, a young woman who falls in love with a performer who appears in men's clothing. She follows her off to London, and ends up on an odyssey of love, sex, and politics. I don't think all the foreshadowing was necessary, but I found this a genuinely enjoyable book. It tugged at my heartstrings a little bit.

Working for the Devil, Lilith Saintcrow.
I picked this up for the cover art alone, and tried to read it in March. It didn't grab my attention so I set it aside. Picked it up again a few weeks back and I found it more intriguing. I liked that Danny was a tough chick who kept insisting that she didn't need any help -- she comes to realize that she needs to let others inside at other points. I did see the twist at the end coming, but it didn't make it any less poignant. I will probably continue the series.

Sixty One Nails, Mike Shevdon
Claiming to be "Neverwhere for a new generation," I picked it up. I was not impressed. Sure, it turned pages, but the Gary Stu narrator couldn't be interested in a woman who wasn't stunning looking -- she shapeshifts to match his ideal of beauty. I was more interested in the world building, which was pretty well done. But stick with Neverwhere if you want a really good "wrong side of the tracks" fantasy story.

Bury Me Deep, Megan Abbott
One of my favourite books this year, actually. This is a novel set in Arizona in the 1930s. A small town girl moves with her troubled doctor husband to Arizona. While he leaves her to go practice medicine on miners in Mexico, she ends up with some wild friends and embarks on an affair with a prominent town leader. Somehow it goes awry and she ends up in the middle of a giant mess. Incredibly chilling and frightening.

Naamah's Curse, Jacqueline Carey
I love her worldbuilding, but I can't help to draw parallels to her other big heroine, Phedre. I know, I have to stop, they're not the same person. Moirin is a pretty plucky heroine, but I don't know if I'm a big fan of the follow the man all around the known world in order to be reunited" theme, but I do enjoy how Moirin basically convinces everyone ever to sleep with her by merely existing.

Telex from Cuba, Rachel Kershner
I didn't think I would get along with this at first. I had to look up "telex" and it's a slightly more advanced form of telegraphing, and a prior take on fax machines. They're still in use today, according to Wiki. But this is the story of several American families in Cuba -- working for the fruit companies and the mining companies that were robbing the Cubans blind. It was an interesting look at the women and children of the American execs who are forced to play nice with the other white people on the island because they are isolated. I didn't really care for the French terrorist/Cuban escort section (her name was Rachel K). But overall, I definitely found this book very interesting.

Blue Nude, Elizabeth Rosner
Rosner is from Schenectady NY, which is why I ended up picking this up after I set it down a few times. It's the story of two foreigners - Danzig, an art professor who has lost his interest in painting, and Merav, an Israeli artist's model who was in their Army in her youth. Rosner writes about painting and modelling, but it's about the fallout from World War II, even a few generations removed, for people of Europe and Israel. Very worthwile read.

Jellicoe Road, Melina Marchetta.
GO. Read this book. You will not be disappointed. I can't adequately describe this book without spoilerizing it, so go.

A Northern Light, Jennifer Donnelly
You guys, a book was set in my home region! No, I'm serious! This one is simply amazing and made me cry. Set at the turn of the century, a young girl has dreams of going to college and learns a new word of a day to keep her mind limber. But life in the North Woods isn't always that simple and she has to decide between her ambitions and her family.

Best quote:
"Why did little towns in Herkimer County never get a mention in anyone's book? Why was it always other places and other lives that mattered?"

This made me nearly cry. I've always felt this way, and it's part of why I bought this book -- it's set near my home, and I can feel the story -- I can smell it, I can taste it, I can feel the heartbreak, and I know that even though it's set 100 years ago, it's still the same.

Love it when a plan comes together.

I had the strangest dream. It involved Monique (who I have yet to meet IRL) planning to drive from Manitoba to Albany to go to a park in Wisconsin. So she's on her way and my mom, who doesn't live in Albany wakes me up to tell me not to go. I tell her I'm going anyway, and I let Monique in the door. She's wearing leggings and a green outfit I remember well from NY&Co, and is nearly 6'3". She stands in the kitchen washing dishes while I talk to my mom about her. She introduces herself as from Minnesota, then corrects herself and says Manitoba. I make a joke about saying that to the customs officers, and my mom laughs. Then as we're going to the car, she says "I got you tickets to the new movie of Footloose, and it starts at 8, so don't forget." I remind her we're going to Wisconsin and we won't have time for the movie, and she hands me three checks instead, made out for 50, 50, and 100 dollars respectively, but in the name is printed "OH NO" in all caps, in a computer font. She says to use them well, and I woke up.

What the fuck, brain? I suspect that it was its way of reminding me that me and Chrissy were going to see the A-Team again tonight, but the rest of it I don't get. Sorry you got dragged into my dream world, Monique.

So guess what, it's meme time!

Day 01 - Your favorite song
Day 02 - A song that makes you happy
Day 03 - A song that makes you sad
Day 04 - A song that reminds you of someone
Day 05 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 06 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 07 - A song that you can dance to
Day 08 - A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 09 - A song from your favorite band
Day 10 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 11 - A song that describes you
Day 12 - A song from your favorite album
Day 13 - A song that you listen to when you're angry
Day 14 - A song that you listen to when you're happy
Day 15 - A song that you listen to when you're sad
Day 16 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 17 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 18 - A song that makes you laugh
Day 19 - Your least favorite song
Day 20 - A song that you know all the words to
Day 21 - A song from a band you hate
Day 22 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 23 - A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 24 - A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 25 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 26 - A song you can play on an instrument
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

A song that makes me guilty? How? I can't even remotely think of a song that would make me feel guilty. I own up to most of the stuff I did nowadays -- I never used to but I do now, and I am trying to become a better person for that. So I don't feel regret and I don't feel guilty about anything. Whatever happened happened.

So I think I'll change this one too. This one will be "A song that reminds me of work."
This one is inspired by my BFF Chrissy, because I spent the evening chilling with her.





This is Patrick Wolf's "The Magic Position."

My heart is in Bolivia right now.

Idol time!

Songs of the Cinema + Duets. Is that something they introduced last season? I feel like maybe S2 had them but I really don't remember. Also, why didn't Ryan mention the television classic The Jamie Foxx Show?

Lee Dewyze - Kiss from a Rose
I was bored with this, and think it was a bad song choice. Weaksauce from a contender for top two.

Michael Lynche - That Song from Free Willy
This was ok, slightly better than Lee's, but I still don't care.

Crystal Bowersox & Lee Dewyze - Falling Slowly
Like the judges, I loved this. I want the iTunes studio version. Their voices complimented each other nicely and I really loved the camera work, for once.

Casey James - Mrs Robinson
Dear goat, that's a tiny guitar. PS: You still sound like a goat being lead to slaughter. No dice. Ugh, Randy, way to kill the joke. I totally forgot Kara's the token cougar on the show.

Crystal Bowersox - I'm Alright
I don't remember this song from Caddyshack but I can recognize a yacht rock song when I hear it. Crystal does an excellent job on it as well, although it was a little shouty.

Michael Lynche & Casey James - Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman
I remember Daughtry did this by himself and it still sucked, because the song sucked. Casey can play a guitar, that's for sure, but ugh, this was completely and utterly terrible. I don't know WHAT the judges heard. Props to Ellen for making the easy joke.

Best of the night: Crystal & Crystal/Lee
Worst of the Night: Casey & Casey/Michael
Bottom 2: Casey & Lee (Oooh, look, I'm being ~controversial~)
Going home: Casey

PS: Allison Janney on Lost, in an episode that was merely mediocre and I need deconstruction from Doc Jenson to save. your thoughts?

PPS: Just watched the Top Gear special in Bolivia and I must say how much more I want to go to freaking Bolivia and Chile. GDI, boys. Also, uh, the British I mean Jeremy Clarkson are really xenophobic, damn.

I will be in NYC tomorrow. For someone with an upstater complex, I sure do love me some NYC.

travel travel travel, plus bonus AI coverage

If any of you are familiar with my mall layout and maybe two of you are, you will note that there's a Liberty Travel agency next door to my store. This is one of the worst things for me to have as a neighbour.

Every day they change the destinations and prices of round trip tickets to far off destinations. The prices for round trip to London keep going down, and I keep my eye on the Sydney and Santiago prices. I am very lucky I have no vacation time accrued yet to spend my hard earned money on a trip to some cool place like those. But it's not helping my wanderlust. I want to get up and go somewhere cool, not just across town to Colonie every day.

I have to keep telling myself, once I get moved into the new apartment, once I get settled in a new place I can work toward the goal of getting into the Peace Corps. My goal is to have an apartment chosen in the next two weeks, and if possible, moving most of my stuff by early May. This is of course contingent on finding a place that will allow me to move in early and is ok'd by my roommate.

I just... I want to be irresponsible and go somewhere different. I want to go and visit far off locales. I want to do what Emma did and spend three months travelling North America, or Europe, or South America. I feel trapped, and that this is very much a #firstworldproblem.

I think that's partially why I am more interested in moving to Schenectady instead of somewhere else in Albany. It's going to help, living in a place I'm not as familiar with, and at the same time it will remain basically the same.

PS: American Idol keeps cracking me up. Tim Urban, the first genuine VFTW candidate since Sanjaya! keeps squeaking through. He got Didi eliminated tonight, and I'm both horrified and amused by the whole thing. Additionally, to torment Laura, Lennon/McCartney songs are the theme for the next week. I look forward to the trainwreck.

Why St Patrick's Day is Awesome to me, Despite not being Irish.

Four years ago today two of my favourite ladies and I hit the town. And by town I mean George St, which for the uninitiated is North America's longest street of simply bars. This evening was filled with more than one memorable moments, including me photographing a busted up shopping cart, Ash threatening to buy me a cod to kiss, and Candice trying to eat Ming, the hamster. This ended with the cab chase down the nearby street, since George Street was blocked off for the paddy wagons and ambulances.

I haven't had that much fun going out on an evening in a long time, and I miss those ladies and that city desperately. If you want to see my albums from that trip, you can see them here: Newfoundland ♥. (IF we're not Facebook friends and you would like to be, simply add me).

I really wanted to write out a nostalgic romanticized post about this, but my head is pounding and I have to work in the AM again. I am liking my new job so far, and I got to see so many cute children today, I love it. They're easy to distract too.

OLYMPICS!

So! I started watching the Olympics, which you can blame Nikki for.

Things that are awesome:
-Men's Figure Skating. Johnny Weir got robbed! ;) Evan Lysacek is a STUD. And I love that we've casted the Russians as villains again, which bodes well for my petition to host the Olympics in Lake Placid again.
-NORTH COUNTRY REPRESENT! We got a bronze medal out of Andrew Weibrecht, who is from Lake Placid. His mom and dad own the Mirror Lake Inn, which I remember seeing. Also, NORTH COUNTRY FUCK YEAH.
PS The chick from one of the ice dancing teams is from Kingston ON, which makes her almost kinda North Country since she claims citizenship here.
-I am seriously in love with Aksel Lund Svindal, the Norwegian skier who was incredibly adorable in his interview package and as he did his run down the slalom hill, and and he's just super adorable shut up ok.

What's up with all these fluid nationalities though? There was one chick in the ice dancing who is from the US but now is competing for Team Georgia despite never visiting the country. And two Americans who are competing for Japan in ice dancing as well. Very strange.

Anyway, I'm off to watch some more skeleton (LOVE IT).

Warning: Profanity-laden rant ahoy.

Ok, assholes of the world -- let's get one thing straight. In this state, I as a pedestrian have the right of way in a crosswalk, unless it's a red light.

So if I am crossing a rarely-used side street, no lights in sight, you can wait the bloody fucking thirty seconds it takes me to fucking walk across the ten feet of the street to the other side.

So hold your goddamned horses and don't fucking honk at me cause I'm in your fucking precious way. Those thirty seconds you spend waiting for me won't matter when you're home three minutes later. All you do is make me fucking pissed off and more likely to walk slower, asshole.

I've got fucking long legs and a brisk pace, especially if the mp3 player's got a fast song on, which it usually does. SO I'm not inconveniencing you all that fucking much. Bloody sit the fuck down in your fucking giant ass SUV and wait. It won't bloody kill you. Pretty sure you're not the one freezing your extremities off in a half mile walk home from your bus stop. You and your most likely heated car can just sit there and take it. It's THIRTY BLOODY SECONDS.

And yes, I did flip you off as you drove by. I dunno if you could see it cause it's FUCKING DARK OUT and I wear black gloves. So go to hell.

caught a light sneeze

Developing a small cold again, which is supremely annoying. Mainly cause I hate being sick. I can deal with being injured* but I am miserable when sick. But life goes on and shit.

Today I went with my friend Wendy to see Wicked at Proctor's which I thought was in Troy but really is in Schenectady. Schenectady has the misfortune of being the crappiest of the three cities. Also, it was colder in Sch'dy than in Troy or Albany because of the goddamned wind. I hate wind. I hate it more than I hate hot weather, and you all know how I hate the hot weather.

Ok, so Wicked was very very very awesome. I first read the book years earlier (I was trying to find the post I made about it, but I can't find it now, alas and alack). As soon as I found out there was a musical I made sure not to spoil myself for the soundtrack by listening to it ahead of time, and I was grateful for that. The music is pretty darned good, and Marcie Dodd has quite the voice.

I liked what they did with the musical as opposed to what the book had**, but I feel that it was lacking something by having a white dude play Fiyero. Don't get me wrong, he did a wonderful job, but in my head, Fiyero is distinctively non-white, and the book made a point of making that clear as well. It goes more with the musical's theme than the book though to have him be white.
I also didn't care for the ending, but it made sense again for the musical's story than it did the book's ending.

Overall, I did love the show. I'd definitely see it again***. I downloaded the soundtrack when I got home and I enjoyed listening to Kristen Chenowith as Glinda; but after hearing Marcie Dodd, I was kind of underwhelmed with Idina Menzel, whom I know the Internet has a thing for. But I didn't mind her!

So I decided that instead of tackling the giant stack of books that I haven't read yet I'm going to re-read Wicked. Because I can.

*Except my left arm. I can't function without my left arm.
**The book has a lot more uh shall we say adult situations, and is SLIGHTLY pessimistic.
and by slightly I mean a lot
***and again and again and again. NO AND THEN.

As my world turns...

I totally didn't post about the second half of my adventure.

Things I learned from Day 2 of Montreal:
-The SAQ does not give you a bag for your booze. You must buy one. And I mean that, don't leave without one.
-I cannot go into any other Jean Coutu Pharmacies in Montreal until I'm sure the pharmacy tech forgets who I am for dropping the bottle I bought at SAQ in her store. Whoops.
-I really still don't like all-seasoned chips. Remember, Ehjay, you do not like vinegar.
-I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really love Montreal.

In other news, I would like your anecdata about choosing a doctor. I got my health insurance card yesterday and now I just have to choose a health care provider. This might make me an adult :( but I never had to choose my doctor before, my parents kinda did that. Also, there were like two pediatricians in the whole town. So that kinda limits things. But I live in a city with a medical school. So tell me, flist, how did you choose your doctor? Horror stories and excellent stories welcome!

je t'adore, montreal <3

reasons why i love montreal more than your mom

-centre bell has lifesized statues of famous hockey players.
-there's such a mix of languages here and all of them i can understand (so far)
-the metro is really far superior to cdta (hell, most things are)
-there is a baked potato restaurant that i am going to try for science (again) tomorrow.*
-i got to stand less than two feet away from laura pausini omg and she came around the edge of the stage and shook everyone's hand and i got squished against the stage and i don't even CARE because omg i love her


missions for tomorrow:
do touristy things (ie walk around mtl and take lots and lots of pitchers)
eat baked potatoes @ restaurant
am iffy on smoked meat, but when in montreal...
i also need to have real poutine. that's correct sir i will be doing a lot of eating on this trip.
make it back to the bus terminal by 2100 or else


I forgot my cable back in the states so I can't upload any of my awesome photos from the concert yet. in the meantime i have a queen-sized bed all to myself and I found the ABC station out of Burlington, so I am awesome.

*Candice discovered this place when I first met her, and we tried it when I got to MTL for the original Trip of Doom.

Things I like!

This article refers to Brian Leonard, the only NFL player to come out of Gouverneur, NY. It's really cool to read about your hometown on a major NFL team's site:

If you want lights, you have to go to Massena or Ogdensburg, or Indian River, the larger outposts in the upper reaches of New York State sprawling between the Adirondack foothills and the Thousand Islands perched in the St. Lawrence River.

But Brian Leonard put Class C Gouverneur on the map long before he saved September for Bengaldom with a DVD 11-yard run-and-catch on fourth-and-10 with 36 seconds left during a game the Bengals needed a touchdown to survive Pittsburgh’s annual tempest.

Or, it’s more like Gouverneur put Leonard on the map. If you drive into town on its one main street, Main Street (yes, really), it is also Route 11 and there is a sign that says it is the home of Brian Leonard, complete with the helmets of Gouverneur, Rutgers and the Bengals.

The same sign is on the other way into town, Route 58. And if you miss it and it is Sunday you can go to the Four-by-Four Country Club and catch him on the TV, where about 50 to 60 people are still watching Leonard ply his trade as an NFL handyman.

Or you could try the Casablanca, the postgame football hangout where Devlin and his coaches commiserate and mingle with the community and parents.

Hey, at least this time the Casi's getting GOOD publicity, amirite?

On an unrelated note, Chris Rock's comments about Polanski made my day: Rock says at the end of the clip: "The United States, we want to capture Osama Bin Laden, and murder him. We don't want to rape him - that would be barbaric!"

Maricela gave me little bit more today.

First off, while she is fully in support of Zeleya's removal, she feels that moving him to Costa Rica was not the right call. After reading a bit more, I agree as well. Calling it a coup is more plausible if you remove the leader from the country. Arresting him and calling for impeachment hearings would have led to less condemnation and possibly fewer protestors.

Here's a good article discussing the US take on it. To sum up, basically the US is treading lightly. While they condemn the tactics of taking down Zeleya, they're not insisting upon his reinstatement. Which is in line with policies of previous administrations.

Maricela also wanted me to post this video:

I don't agree with what Krauthammer is saying here, mainly because he uses a Hitler comparison, and I feel that it is a little overblown in this situation. He kind of throws out all the "scary" left wing names -- Chavez, Ortega. It's like a who's who of Latin American leftists.

Zeleya is asking the UN for help in getting himself reinstated.

It seems apparent that no one likes how this was done, like Maricela said, but no one has a problem with the reasoning behind it. The American government, the OAS (Organization of American States), and leaders worldwide seem to be avoiding talking about the reasons behind the arrest.

I will probably keep posting about this every day except when I go to Canada this weekend, because I think it's an important news story that I don't want to see get lost.

------------------------

In non-Honduras news, I finish my last day at my store tomorrow. After I come back from Canada, I'll be in Colonie Center for the summer and most of the fall. It'll be a+++ good times. I'm gonna miss the hell out of my girls though

Theresa will be here tomorrow and Wednesday. She leaves me for Japan on July 25 -- she's going to be a JET!

I know there was something else I wanted to talk about, but I can't remember it now. Oh well!

metal fonts are the best

The things we learn from asking google. Or in this case wiki answers.

In other news, I booked a hostel for my stay in Ottawa. This will be from Jul 2- Jul 5, the 4th being spent with Mlle Julie and her veddink! So excited! Another awesome thing is that I will be staying at the Jail Hostel in Ottawa. Dave pointed me to it, and I have to say I'm incredibly excited. Not only is it an actual JAIL converted into beds, it's also allegedly haunted. By the ghost of Patrick Whalen. Uh, guys, he assassinated Thomas D'Arcy McGee, which is kind of a BIG DEAL in Canadian history. And that's where I lost half of you. Anyway, I just wanted to gush on that.

Also, I finished watching S1 of NCIS, which if you don't watch you should. This show is hilarious and entertaining. And it has forensics and it has crime and it sometimes has hot men in uniform. Uh yeah.

Also also, I set up the wireless network for my house today all by myself. It was actually surprisingly easy and I only wanted to toss the laptop out the window once. And in one final note, I would just like to say that this storm is so badass that it set off a car alarm.

Ehjay doesn't drive

That doesn't stop me from loving cars though. For American cars my love goes to the Jeep, but my true love, the car I will buy when I win the lottery, is an Aston Martin DB7, although the 9 is HOT.


How can you not love this beautiful specimen of metal? YES.

Phil posted on Facebook how motorcycles > sports cars. I disagree, as I am not motorcycle-y inclined. When I mentioned Aston Martins, he said that the Bentley Azure was better. I disagree, because I do not like my cars to look like boxes.

So I leave it up to you, dear readers. Which car is hotter?

only three americans will get this post

Louis Riel poems on display in Winnipeg.

Kristen: Hey guys, we drove here to see the poems.
Ehjay: hehehe
Kristen: What do you mean we can't see them?
Ehjay: we'll have to "liberate" them
Kristen: lol, yeah
Ehjay: it's what louis would have wanted
Kristen: at the border: Do you have anything to declare?
Yeah, we definitely didn't steal a book of poetry from those Metis three cars back in line.

Current music: The Tragically Hip - Grace, Too.
(even the music is apropos...........

This shit is bananas....

My two favourite shows are my life right now -- Battlestar Galactica and Lost continue to be amazing and a great chance to escape how boring and mundane and not fun my life is.

I realized that my theme song is a Jordin Sparks song. This may or may not be horrific. (One Step at a Time, in case you were wondering).

I am a master grocery shopper. I got five dinners, three boxes of tea, a 2L of Dr Pepper, two lunches, and cereal and yogurt for 21.51. I had budgeted 35.

I'm not sure that Lemon Zinger is really going to be that great of a tea.

Bridget thinks I listen to David Cook nonstop. She's not wrong, but I am currently obsessed with the new Fall Out Boy album, which is really really good.

I am right now reading yet another book on the Tudors, called The Tudors. So far I haven't learned anything all that new, but it's really nice to refresh on all the details I've gleaned from all the other sources I read. Including, oddly enough, Phillipa Gregory.

Put down The Road for a bit -- got a bit creeped out and had to take a break.

Did a little flist/comm clean up. See what I mean my life is boring.

March 5-9 I will be in Ottawa. Take note. Also of note: I have been to Ottawa more times than I can count, but I have yet to visit my own country's capital. I'm pretty special like that.

Nikki has decided I can't be a real Canadian because I can't eat maple syrup.

Apparently blogspot says I can't have that many tags. It's not my fault I'm verbose.