Segunda-feira

Rein Supreme?

I read fan fiction online which is not subject to editing by publishers who hopefully know what they're doing when it comes to correct punctuation and word usage. Some common mistakes by fan fic authors are in confusing "your" and "you're" and putting in apostrophes in plurals where they're not needed (the pack of Slytherin's entered their common room). Another common misuse is "reign" for "rein" when using the phrase "have free rein". I'm sadly getting quite desensitized to these mistakes which does not bode well for my proofreading career. They still bother me but I've kind of given up getting upset by incorrect usage when reading works by amateur writers.

Not so when it comes to books printed by actual publishing companies like the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I read books one through three this weekend on my computer (hooray for electronic libraries!) and to my dismay I saw the phrase "free reign". I nearly had a conniption fit. How did that make it past the editors and proofreaders? Was I reading fan fiction by mistake? Has the phrase "free reign" become acceptable usage now? I mean, it makes some sense: To reign freely, with no constraints in ruling over others. But, come on. That's just not right.

Regarding the books, I wasn't too excited by them. They were okay. I think knowing they were so popular made my expectations too high and I didn't enjoy them as much as if I'd never heard of them before. To me they were a bit too melodramatic and too much about how beautiful Edward is. We get the idea, Bella. Okay, already. I really didn't find Bella all that interesting anyway. Maybe she gets better once she's turned. Oops, did I spoil that for anyone?

Thursday

Today has been a bit crazy with coming in late from my eye appointment and having to process payroll and get a cash flow report done for our Board Treasurer. Tomorrow morning we're having the first monthly conference call with her since she started in this role. It's one of those things that I don't think I need to be involved in but my boss likes to get me involved in. It's not like he can't answer any questions I can (and more).

So, new glasses. I have to say I love my new optometrist. She is awesome. We're the same age even. She went to see Journey last night so was tired and husky-voiced. She answered all my questions and didn't mind me asking them. They took a digital photo of my retinas which looked super healthy. Now we have a baseline to check against for the future. It turns out that my prescription actually has decreased a bit in power since the last time I had an exam (which was over two years ago). Dr. Atkinson said that that is typical and normal for someone my age with myopia.

I picked out some new frames that are half rimless. I was thinking I wanted metal frames all around but this will be better since I've been wearing rimless ones for so long. I'm no girly girl who likes patterns and pretty things much but the frames I picked have a subtle pattern at the corners near the hinges. They're by Sigrid Olson (SO116 in graphite).

We had a bit of a kerfluffle with our internet service today. Someone made a change on the router and, whoops! we were all less productive for awhile. I actually got a bit scared because I do payroll online. I actually could've waited and done it tomorrow, I suppose. It has to be done two days before payday which is Tuesday. We pay once a month on the last business day.

I got a call from my credit card company yesterday asking me to confirm some recent charges. Turns out someone had gotten a hold of my card number and was somehow using it to make purchases at Office Depot and Wal-Mart. I had to use my ATM card to pay for my glasses this morning since they cancelled my Visa. Good thing I didn't fall in love with some fancy designer frames. Actually, I was surprise how reasonably priced the designer frames were. I really liked some Juicy Couture ones that were less than $200 until I saw their little label on the temple. No, thanks. The most expense ones I looked at were at a bit over $300 (Calvin Klein). The two I ended up choosing between were $135 (Revlon) and the $150 ones I got.

I did get to the library before my appointment so got the books. I can't wait to sit down and start reading them. I'm on a romance kick right now, specifically Regency romances. I checked out a bunch of eBooks but then had to reserve some actual physical books to fill in the holes of series that weren't completely available electronically.

Were you sad that Ted McGinley got eliminated from Dancing? Me, either. Good riddance. Survivor starts tonight. They say it's going to be on in HD but all the ads I've seen have not been. If they mess with the proper proportions I'll have to watch it in regular definition on the regular channel. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Wednesday

My boss works at home on Wednesdays so it's a free day for me. Well, not really but sometimes it feels like that. Not that he's always looking over my shoulder or anything. But I don't have to worry about it if I'm surfing the web for iCal calendars for my favorite hockey teams.

I really should stop getting distracting by new software. I just wanted to provide a bit of support to our IT guy since he's the only one who really knows how to use iCal and it's dragging him down a bit. Trying to persuade people that switching is a good thing is hard. Nothing will be the same so we have to find out what's good about it and try to ignore what we'll be missing.

Today was the monthly meeting of what we call the Money Squad. It includes the people most involved in dealing with the nitty gritty of incoming funds. Because we enter every check, money order and credit card charge into our main database, we often deal with issues related to how information is entered, not just money-related items. It's a good place to work out the best way of collecting and tracking that info. Not only am I involved in the finance part of the equation, but I'm also the resident FileMaker expert. The two go pretty well together for me but I wish I had more time to really concentrate on making the database the most functional it could be.

I just checked my library account and 5 of the 9 items I have on hold are ready to be picked up, including a book that wins my Best Title Ever award, By Schism Rent Asunder. Too bad the library would be closed by the time I'd get there. I wish they were open until 8 every night instead of just Mondays and Tuesdays. I guess I should be happy for that much. Maybe I'll stop by tomorrow before my eye appointment. It's at 10:30 and the library opens at 10.

Yes, I'm finally getting my eyes checked and getting new glasses. We changed insurance two years ago and I never made the effort of finding an optometrist. I used to just go down the block to Site for Sore Eyes. But now our insurance doesn't cover them. The real reason I'm getting new glasses is that mine are about to break. They're rimless and there are big cracks radiating out from the holes they drilled to attach the nosepiece. I'm afraid they're going to fall apart at any minute. I'm still seeing great so I don't think my prescription will need changing much.

Who was sad that Jeffrey was eliminated from Dancing last night? You? You? You? Anyone? I didn't think so. I'm definitely still loving Lance and Lacey with the blond kids a second fave. I have no prediction who will be gone tonight. I hope it's not Mark and Kim only because he's hot and I like how he dances with his mouth open so much!

Too Hot to Think

According to weather.com, the observed high temp for my town yesterday was 99º. I believe it and am glad I wasn't there during the day time to live through it. When I got home last night, my inside thermometer said 90º so that was hot enough for me! I'm surprised I got any sleep since the low wasn't very low. Thank goodness for fans and frozen water bottles.

We got up to 94º here in SF yesterday and today it's supposed to be a bit cooler but it doesn't feel that much cooler to me. I need to get a cross-breeze going in my office, I think.

Sallie and I were thinking of going to the zoo tomorrow but it might be too hot for us. We'll go to IKEA and enjoy the air conditioning (along with hundreds others, I'm sure).

The new Borders in Alameda opened its doors to the general public yesterday afternoon. I stopped by after work and Sallie showed me around. Then I browsed the sci-fi and mystery sections. I could've bought a bunch of books but limited myself to three. I wrote down a list of others to get at the library.

I forgot to take my camera into the store (at least it was in the car!) and when I went back in to take a few shots, Sallie had disappeared. I'll try to upload at home when I have a functioning mouse. Maybe I'll borrow the one I use here at work.

Phantom Unsafe Passenger Reading

I have so many library books on my front passenger seat that when I added the weight of my work bag to the pile it triggered my car's seatbelt sign sensor and the dashboard light began flashing warning me of an unbelted passenger.

Books on the seat:
The Bishop's Heir (read), The King's Justice (in bag), The Quest for Saint Camber, King Kelson's Bride by Katherine Kurtz
Dark of the Moon by John Sandford
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

Overheard at the Library

I was scanning my books through the self-checkout machine this morning when I heard the following phrase projected throughout the circulation desk area:

"Do you want to take this outside?"

Now I have to imagine that might be the only time that sentence has been uttered in the local library as the scene there is mostly quiet and always civil. But this was one disgruntled patron.

"I get off at 5," mumbled the check-out clerk.

"You are always rude to me," continued the father, cradling his little girl whom he had plopped upon the counter.

"I get off at 5," repeated the clerk, glad he had a counter between himself and the irate dad.

"Who is the idiot who hired you? Who is the idiot who hired you? Who is the idiot who hired you?" (I swear, he said it three times!)

I really wish the witch who is often there on Saturdays had been working circulation today. She would've taken that guy down a notch or two. However, I didn't wait to see if anyone appeared from the staff office. I high-tailed it out of there with my three sci-fi books and Plum Lovin'.

Comments on DH?

A couple people have alerted me that they tried leaving very witty, insightful comments to my last post. However, it appears that because I left my reactions to Deathly Hallows as a really long comment, Blogger refuses to accept any more for that post.

So please respond here if you wish...

The Deathly Hallows

I finished HP and the Deathly Hallows at 3am this morning but I was too tired to post anything before grabbing some Zs. I was very happy with the book overall and you can read more details (and spoilers) in the comments...

What Would Jo Do?

With only a couple days until the release of the seventh and final installment in saga of our favorite wizard, Harry Potter, I'm actually getting quite nervous. Nervous to see what scrapes he and his pals will get up to, sure, but really it's his final fate that has me on edge. Would Jo be so bold as to leave us crying?

I hear there are all kinds of spoilers all over the internet which I'm trying very hard to resist so please no comments or emails with the latest rumor you've heard. I'd like to see what Jo has come up with for us with nothing to ruin it.

Just Missed

I was happily working along last night finishing up a few items before leaving for our brief one-day midweek holiday when I remembered I needed to get to my library before it closed at 8pm. I had two books on hold that I wanted to pick up to read today.

I hurried as much as I could all the way back home: from rushing through the July 4 holiday vacationers in the City, to pre-walking through the BART train so I was positioned for a quick departure from the station, to speeding along the surface roads and taking the highway, to just skimming the back end of a yellow light...

but I was 5 minutes too late. The lights were off and the sign read "Your Library Is Closed." I'm just glad the date by which I must pick them up or risk paying a fine is Saturday. I still have some time.

Getting Ready for HP

So by now you must've noticed the addition to the top of my sidebar: the Countdowns from MuggleNet.

With just 27 days until the movie comes out, it's time to be planning our reading schedule to prepare. Or are you just going to watch the movies? I think I'll try re-reading everything. If I time it right, I can have books 1–5 read before the movie and then read HBP.

The Order of the Phoenix is one of my favorite books of the series but after my disappointment with the last movie, my hopes are not too high for this one. I'm looking forward to Luna appearing and Hermione being a mover and shaker behind the DA. Well, we'll just have to wait and see. (can't wait!!)

Can you believe it's only a little over a month until The Deathly Hallows is out? Have you ordered yours yet? Sorry, Sal, but I ordered mine from Amazon. (I'm a bit worried that they'll try to deliver it on that Saturday to the office. I may be sitting here at home for two days while the rest of the world is reading TDH! Perhaps I should consider staking out the office until the UPS guy arrives.)

Are you sad yet that the story is ending? Who do you think is going to die? I'm thinking it'll be Ron. I hope it's not Harry. I hope I can resist reading the end before I get to it. It'll be so hard. (can't wait!!)

For a Few Brain Cells More

So I figured out why I was so confused when I started reading For a Few Demons More. I was able to fly through the first books in the series as I was lounging around being sick this week. There were only a couple days when I didn't feel up to reading much. As I started the fourth book, A Fistful of Charms, it just didn't seem familiar. In fact, I had never read it at all! Well, I'm glad I gave up on FaFDM or I would've missed a fun romp over the Mackinac Bridge.

Review, Revisit and Re-Read

Have you ever started a book, maybe the third or fourth book in a series, and after a couple chapters realized you have no idea who the characters are and what happened to them previously?

That happened to me when I started reading For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison, the fifth book in The Hollows series. Either my memory is really bad or it's been way too long since I read the other books but I had no idea who Ivy, Nick and Ceri were. I decided to give up and re-read the first ones.

I won't be able to read them on BART however since the only versions available were ebooks. I checked out the first three and downloaded them to my computer for reading at my leisure. Well, I might have to hurry since For a Few Demons More is due on the 26th. We'll see if I can get them all read by then.

I was smart enough to know I'd have no clue what was going on in Sharon Shinn's The Thirteenth House as it has been a long time since I read Mystic and Rider. So I reserved both of them and am busily re-reading M&R before delving into the sequel.

I'm not sure I'll get to my Netflix movies this weekend...

BART Books: Among the Hidden, Imposters, Betrayed

Among the Hidden
Among the Impostors
Among the Betrayed
Margaret Peterson Haddix, 1998, 2001, 2002
first three in the Shadow Children series
author info at www.fantasticfiction.co.uk

These books were recommended to me by my nephew Zander who is a voracious reader and loves science fiction and fantasy. They are Young Adult books and are classified in my library under Junior High. Each one is about 150 pages in larger-than-normal font size. Get the whole set so you can go from one to the other. I read the first one almost completely through on my ride into work today.

I said almost. I only had a few pages to go which really really sucked because the author throws in a huge twist near the end that had me reeling. I couldn't believe that book was intended for young readers. I didn't expect to have that kind of emotional commitment for characters in a kids' book so was unprepared for my reaction. This author is not pulling punches in this series. There are serious issues at work so do not take them lightly. I've warned you.

Anyway, the books are great and I can't wait to read the rest. The main character is a boy who has lived his whole twelve years hiding away from the world because his parents decided to go ahead and have that illegal third child despite the Population Law against it. For many years, Luke was able to play and work outside with his two older brothers until the forest by their farm was cut down to make way for a new housing development. He was subsequently shut inside. However, he got so bored that, by careful observation, he discovered another shadow child living in one of the new homes. She changed his life.

Luke's story continues in the second book where he discovers more about the Government and some people who are trying to work against it. The next book follows the story of another third child, Nina, who is asked to betray other shadow children and has to find out for herself how far she will go to save herself and those she cares about.

I'm not going to tell you any more details because I'm afraid of ruining the stories for you. You'll have to read them yourself (or email me).

Favorite part: Luke's visits with his neighbor. She's such a great character.

Least favorite part: The end of the first book. I'm sure it was worse because I was reading it on BART and had to get off and finish it later.

Next BART Book: whatever I pick up at the library tomorrow

Previous BART Book: The Last Kingdom, Bernard Cornwell

Books on the Shelf:
Wolf Brother, Michele Paver (recommended by my niece, Melia)

Books on Hold:
Among the Barons, Margaret Peterson Haddix
Among the Brave, Margaret Peterson Haddix
Among the Enemy, Margaret Peterson Haddix
Among the Free, Margaret Peterson Haddix
Spirit Walker, Michelle Paver
Soul Eater, Michelle Paver
For a Few Demons More, Kim Harrison

BART Book: The Last Kingdom

TagFest: Books

The Last Kingdom
Bernard Cornwell, 2005
first in the Saxon series
Bernard's site

When Uhtred was ten (in 866 AD), the Danes came to Northumbria to stay. His father, a local lord, and brother were killed and he was captured in a battle at York by a Danish chieftain, Ragnar the Fearless. He found his adopted life with the hard-working, fun-loving, priest-free pagan warriors freeing and fitting for his boyish sensibilities, and soon became more a Dane than an Englishman.

But he always held dear his secret dream of re-taking his homeland and becoming lord of Bebbanburg. It was going to be a long road getting back there. After a tragedy left him homeless, he eventually left the Danes and came to the attention of Alfred, king of the West Saxons (or Wessex), the last English kingdom left free of Danish rule. Alfred, pious and sickly, seemed a far cry from Uhtred's previous rulers with the Danes but the Saxon king was tricky and smart, thinking ahead to when he might need a loyal lord in the North. Uhtred found himself an Englishman once again, but far from home.

The great thing about this book is that there are two others that follow and more in the works. I loved the story-telling device of Uhtred reflecting back on his life from the perspective of an old man—foreshadowing things to come but not giving too much away.

There are many, many characters in the book but most are rich and colorful and therefore memorable. At times I wished for a Cast of Characters. The list of placenames (combined with a map!) that Cornwell does provide is very helpful as he uses unfamiliar contemporary names for most towns and places in the story.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will love this book and I highly recommend it. Cornwell is the author of the Napoleonic-era Sharpe books, some of which were televised starring Sean Bean. You may be familiar with those. I'm thinking about checking them out when I'm done with some of his other books. He's written a lot!

Favorite part: One thing I like about historical fiction is that the author can present a section of history differently than how we learn about it in school. There are more grey areas to be explored. The good guys (Alfred and the English) are not always that good and the bad guys (the Viking Danes) not always that bad. Cornwell succeeds in teaching us that the Danes are just people and by following Uhtred's journey we can feel a part of those people and their culture.

Least favorite part: The tragedy which caused Uhtred to have to leave the Danes. It was just very sad.

Next BART Book: Cursor's Fury, Jim Butcher

Previous BART Book: Break No Bones, Kathy Reichs

Books on the Shelf:
none
Books on Hold:
Lords of the North, Bernard Cornwell
The Pale Horseman, Bernard Cornwell
Wolf Brother, Michelle Paver

BART Book: Break No Bones

Break No Bones
Kathy Reichs, 2006
ninth in the Temperance Brennan series
Kathy's site

After not really enjoying Cross Bones, the previous book in this series, I was curious to see if things got back on track with the latest Temperance Brennan story, Break No Bones. I was not disappointed. I loved this book. There's a great balance between Tempe's personal struggles in her relationships (estranged husband Pete, boyfriend Ryan, friend Emma) and her investigation into the mysterious forensic evidence found on the bodies of some missing persons in South Carolina. What she discovers is not what anyone expected.

Favorite part: I really liked the development of Pete's character in this book. We've seen him a few other times but we really got to spend some time with him as did Tempe, of course, which led to part of the tension that helped to make this book so good.
Least favorite part: There were a couple times that the story got bogged down in long explanations, especially at the end when the sheriff was reporting back to Tempe and Pete.

Next BART Book: ummm, haven't picked one yet
Previous BART Book: Four to Score, Janet Evanovich

Books on the Shelf:
The Family Tree, Carole Cadwalladr
One Good Knight, Mercedes Lackey
Hard Day's Knight, Katie MacAlister
Sins and Needles, Monica Ferris
Angel's Fall, Nora Roberts
Virgin Earth, Philippa Gregory
Books on Hold:
Mistral's Kiss, Laurell K. Hamilton

BART Book: Four to Score

Four to Score
Janet Evanovich, 1998
fourth in the Stephanie Plum series
Janet's site

Since I had so much fun re-reading Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone alphabet series, I decided to try the ever-entertaining Stephanie Plum books again. I got as far as the fourth book, Four to Score, and decided to stop. I just wasn't in the mood for the hijinks of Stephanie, Lula, Grandma Mazur and, new in Four, Stephanie's new puzzle-solving, transvestite friend, Sally Sweet. Even an appearance by her evil nemesis, Joyce Barnhardt, couldn't keep my interest. The whole series is hilarious though so the next time I'm ready for some comedic reading, I'll be sure to pick up with High Five.

Favorite part: eveyone in the neighbor thinking Stephanie is preggers
Least favorite part: that someone got scalped. Youch!

Next BART Book: Break No Bones, Kathy Reichs
Previous BART Book: Splintered Icon, Bill Napier

Books on the Shelf:
The Family Tree, Carole Cadwalladr
One Good Knight, Mercedes Lackey
Hard Day's Knight, Katie MacAlister (a trend in the making?)
Sins and Needles, Monica Ferris
Angel's Fall, Nora Roberts
Virgin Earth, Philippa Gregory
Books on Hold:
Mistral's Kiss, Laurell K. Hamilton

Going Off the Map

One of my Christmas gifts this year (thanks, Sal!) was a book called Off the Map. It's a collection of satellite images and commentary by two Scottish brothers who author GoogleSightseeing.com. The images are of natural formations, oddly-shaped buildings and even a sword-shaped swimming pool. They include coordinates so you can look up the images yourself in Google Earth or on Google Maps.

I was excited to see that my favorite satellite image was their first entry in Off the Map: the Richat Structure in Mauritania. I first saw this image on NASA's Earth As Art website and have used it as the desktop on my work computer for many years.

BART Book: Splintered Icon

Splintered Icon
Bill Napier, 2005
on Amazon

If you're looking for a good historical adventure mystery, look no further than Scottish author Bill Napier's Splintered Icon. Sal was reading it on the trip and I couldn't get her to listen to me cuz she was reading this book at every available moment. I've been enjoying it on my BART rides since I've been back.

The book itself is splintered into two points of view: our hero antiquarian Harry Blake, and the young sea-going writer of the 16th century journal Blake was hired to decode, James Ogilvie. From Oxford to Jamaica, the search for the secret meaning of the journal quickly involves murder, terrorist plots and centuries-old religious politics. Throw in some theories of Elizabeth I's astrologer and spy John Dee and sabotage on the high seas and you have a fast-moving, complex story of curiosity and survival.

Favorite part: bribing the ladies in the records office in Jamaica to stay open late
Least favorite part: when Ogilvie's journal ended -- I wanted to hear more about his life in the New World

Next BART Book: maybe The Devil Wears Prada
Previous BART Book: too long ago to matter

Books on the Shelf:
The Family Tree, Carole Cadwalladr
Books on Hold:
Mistral's Kiss, Laurell K. Hamilton
Virgin Earth, Philippa Gregory

What Was Lost Was Found

About eight months ago I received a gift card for local booksellers in the Bay Area as part the holiday bonus my employers gave to the staff. I promptly lost it.

I searched many places where I keep my plastic and many others where I might have put it for safe-keeping. Never did I think to look in the place where I happened to look today.

I pay my bills electronically for the most part. Most are automatic payments to my debit card or my Visa. The one check I write a month is for rent. So a book of checks might last me a long time. It just so happened I wrote September's rent on the last check in my current book today. I removed the stub from my checkbook cover only to see the back of a plastic card hidden beneath it. I wrestled it out and flipped it over.

It was the booksellers gift card from last December. I hope it's still valid! Now, whatever shall I buy?