chef_troy is doing the One Different Letter game again!  Go here to play!

Yeah, there's that.  Whoops.  My bad.  I keep meaning to, but _(fill in the excuse of your choice here)_.

So, what's been going on in my life? (With some thinks to keep my sister occupied - since I've been woefully neglectful in that area!)

TV shows I've now watched all episodes of (and enjoyed with ridiculous abandon):
1. Bones
2. Dollhouse
3. how i met your mother

Books I've read (in the last month, in general order of how much I liked them):
1. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
2. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
3. The Greatest Show on Earth: the Evidence for Evolution by Richard Dawkins
4. Liar by Justine Larbalestier
5. BtVS Season 8 Vol 5: Predators and Prey by Jane Espenson et al.
6. B is for Bad Poetry by Pamela August Russell
7. Black Plants: 75 Striking Choices for the Garden by Paul Bonine
8. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben Winters
9. Among the Imposters (Shadow Children #2) by Margaret Haddix
10. Among the Betrayed (Shadow Children #3) by Margaret Haddix

Spectacular vacations I've taken:
1. Holden Beach, NC - 1st full week of October - friend of a friend owns a beach house on the beach and it was awesome!

Most recent additions to the list of blogs I read on at least an irregular basis:
1. Avery Edison - funny girl.  Especially the Jesus and Judas conversations.
2. delagar - Science, feminism, politics, religion, education.
3. Evil Mad Scientist Labs - Just what it says.  Projects, link dumps, Q&A's. 
4. Alone and Unobserved - Associate librarian, grad student, occasional mathematician.
5. Pharyngula - Prof at the Univ of Minnesota (Morris), biologist and atheist.

Online games I've recently picked up (one of the excuses for not updating this!):
1. Canabalt - very simple flash game where you're trying to escape a city being overrun by robots.  There's only one control: Jump!  I die a lot.  ;)
2. GemCraft Chapter 0 - much more complex game.  It's a newer version of a tower defense game I really liked.  I'm enjoying this one, too.
3. Plants vs. Zombies - PopCap Games has certainly got a winner with this one.  I loved it so much I bought it.  

My bladder is screaming at me, so I will wrap this up now.  ;)

The second book in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins is finally out!!  It's called Catching Fire and so far it's just as good - if not better! - than the first one.

If you haven't read Hunger Games, you should go out and either buy a copy or check one out from your local library!  If your local library doesn't have it, talk to the librarians and ask them to get it in.  Librarians love to know what you're interested in reading and are more than willing to help you out.  Trust me on this one - my mom's a librarian!  :)  And I'd be more than happy to show you where it is in my store so you can purchase a copy.

If you have read it, you so need to pick up a copy of Catching Fire.  It's that good.

Also, if you would like a chance to win some neat Catching Fire related stuff, go enter the contest at the Book Love Affair blog.  Yes, this post has something of an ulterior motive.  :)  Still an excellent series.  I do hope there will be more!

Here's a nifty little video teaser for the book:

Yes.  Never let it be said that I am not a procrastinator extraordinaire.  'Cause I am.  

I still need to clean up the Jani pics and post them.  And that was a loooooooong time ago.  Especially if we're counting in internet time.

I'll get to it, I promise.  At the latest by the end of August - when I've got 10 days of vacation coming!  I don't have plans to go anywhere.  Perhaps some day tripping.  Anyone wanna get together then?

I do have one observation to make.  It concerns work.  One of the high schools this year is requiring their kids to choose a nonfiction book from a list.  So far, not unusual.  The different part is the theme: discrimination.  Most schools just make their kids read a nonfiction book of their choice - it makes it more likely that they'll actually read a nonfiction book.  Now, this list doesn't just dwell on the black/white sort of racism, though that does make up the majority of the list.  They also threw in some books like Reading Lolita in Tehran - which is concerned with discrimination in the Middle East.  There's also one about Native Americans.  One about women, I think.  The suggested list also mentions that if the kid can find a book about discrimination that's not on the list, they can choose their own. 

My observation, now that I've given you all the salient facts, is that a fair number of parents, after seeing the books on the list, are all bent out of shape about the theme.  'Why are they making my child read things like this?'  'This is boring and has no relevance.'  And other comments in a similar vein.  The interesting thing is that every one of the parents that I've heard complain about this particular list have all been white and middle to upper middle class.  And I really really wish that I could reply to them honestly - but all I can really do is make commiserating noises and show them the shortest one.  I'd like to tell them that if they think that discrimination is not relevant to their or their kids' lives, then they are most certainly the ones that most need to read these sorts of books. 

For anyone who tried that 30 year old unopened bottle of Galliano at Grandma's place a couple o' years ago....

Just in case you were wondering...

Fresh Galliano sucks just as bad.

I had a wonderful weekend.

Saturday, Mom used my birthday as an excuse to get her two daughters together for a shopping trip.  Not that we minded!!!  :)  I got some good stuff, but mom and Katy bought some sexy shirts that I'm sure they'll have fun in!  ;)

Sunday was my birthday dinner/get-together at my folks' place. 
I watched Katy clean out her car.  And took pictures, but I won't embarrass her by posting them.  :)  She did find about $18 in change.  All coins.  And 3.5 pair of shoes.  And 22 books (the number of which I accurately predicted!).  Among other things.  
Okay, one picture.  This is before she got to the trunk.



Then I took some artsy fartsy photos of this spinning garden ornament that Ma has in one of her flower beds.



Mom and Joe did some cooking inside.  Mom and Katy had already put together my birthday pie (more on that later!).  Brother Erik cooked the steaks on the grill, with help and moral support from Joe and Nate, while Katy and Allison and I hung out on the porch. 

Dinner was delicious!  Ma made some amazing scalloped potatoes with gouda cheese.  Ma - the recipe needs to be shared!!!  

Once we were all full, we went up to the top of the hill and played with a 9mm Glock.  Well, "played" is entirely the wrong word - Dad and Nate are incredibly safety-conscious.  I'd never shot one before.  And while my aim did improve, I am not a good shot.  Also, the gun is, I think, a bit big for my hands.  But fun was had.  I got some interesting pictures.  I never did manage to capture the bullet leaving the gun, but I did manage a couple of times to get the shell exiting the chamber.



When it got time for Katy to leave - she had to get home because she had to work early the next day - we went back down to the house for dessert.  The dessert was special.  One of a kind.  First, we don't ususally have birthday cake.  See, my mom makes the best crust ever.  So we have birthday pie.  My request for this pie was that it have lots of crust.  Apparently, Ma got cold feet at the last minute and thought it wouldn't work.  Luckily, my sister was on hand to save the day and convince her to give it a go.  So, mom and Katy made three pie crusts.  And they made French silk filling.  And melted chocolate.  And got locally grown strawberries.  I made the whipped cream.  And Ma put it all together.  And, lo!, it was om nom nommy!! 



All in all, a relaxing pleasant day for pretty much everyone!

Edited to add: Amazon says it's a 'glitch.' 
Here's another take on the thing, with ethics!  :)

I pass this along because censorship is bad. 

From theferrett : "As far as I can tell, at some point last week Amazon quietly removed the sales ranks of "controversial" titles, making them a hell of a lot harder to find."

More info:

http://markprobst.livejournal.com/15293.html

http://community.livejournal.com/meta_writer/11560.html

http://community.livejournal.com/meta_writer/11992.html

http://booksquare.com/open-letter-to-amazon-regarding-recent-policy-changes/

I Am A: True Neutral Human Druid/Ranger (2nd/2nd Level)


Ability Scores:

Strength-9

Dexterity-10

Constitution-13

Intelligence-16

Wisdom-14

Charisma-12


Alignment:
True Neutral A true neutral character does what seems to be a good idea. He doesn't feel strongly one way or the other when it comes to good vs. evil or law vs. chaos. Most true neutral characters exhibit a lack of conviction or bias rather than a commitment to neutrality. Such a character thinks of good as better than evil after all, he would rather have good neighbors and rulers than evil ones. Still, he's not personally committed to upholding good in any abstract or universal way. Some true neutral characters, on the other hand, commit themselves philosophically to neutrality. They see good, evil, law, and chaos as prejudices and dangerous extremes. They advocate the middle way of neutrality as the best, most balanced road in the long run. True neutral is the best alignment you can be because it means you act naturally, without prejudice or compulsion. However, true neutral can be a dangerous alignment because it represents apathy, indifference, and a lack of conviction.


Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.


Primary Class:
Druids gain power not by ruling nature but by being at one with it. They hate the unnatural, including aberrations or undead, and destroy them where possible. Druids receive divine spells from nature, not the gods, and can gain an array of powers as they gain experience, including the ability to take the shapes of animals. The weapons and armor of a druid are restricted by their traditional oaths, not simply training. A druid's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that they can cast.


Secondary Class:
Rangers are skilled stalkers and hunters who make their home in the woods. Their martial skill is nearly the equal of the fighter, but they lack the latter's dedication to the craft of fighting. Instead, the ranger focuses his skills and training on a specific enemy a type of creature he bears a vengeful grudge against and hunts above all others. Rangers often accept the role of protector, aiding those who live in or travel through the woods. His skills allow him to move quietly and stick to the shadows, especially in natural settings, and he also has special knowledge of certain types of creatures. Finally, an experienced ranger has such a tie to nature that he can actually draw on natural power to cast divine spells, much as a druid does, and like a druid he is often accompanied by animal companions. A ranger's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that he can cast.


Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)

Detailed Results:

Alignment:
Lawful Good ----- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)
Neutral Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (20)
Chaotic Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (19)
Lawful Neutral -- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)
True Neutral ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (20)
Chaotic Neutral - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (19)
Lawful Evil ----- XXXXXXX (7)
Neutral Evil ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXX (14)
Chaotic Evil ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)

Law & Chaos:
Law ----- XXX (3)
Neutral - XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Chaos --- XXXXXXXXX (9)

Good & Evil:
Good ---- XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Neutral - XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Evil ---- XXXX (4)

Race:
Human ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)
Dwarf ---- XXXXXX (6)
Elf ------ XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)
Gnome ---- XXXXXXXX (8)
Halfling - XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)
Half-Elf - XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Half-Orc - (0)

Class:
Barbarian - (0)
Bard ------ (-6)
Cleric ---- (-4)
Druid ----- XXXXXXXX (8)
Fighter --- (-2)
Monk ------ (-23)
Paladin --- (-29)
Ranger ---- XXXXXXXX (8)
Rogue ----- (0)
Sorcerer -- XXXX (4)
Wizard ---- XX (2)

Our cat is NOT dead!!!   :)  Oh, Happy Day!!!

Let's back up a moment, shall we?

When we left for vacation, we let our inside/outside cat, Moe, out.  It was easier than arranging for someone to come feed him.  And I certainly wasn't giving keys to any of my neighbors.  We figured he'd be fine - he was an outside cat before we claimed him from the herd that lives in our cul-de-sac.  

But when we came home, there was no sign of our Moe.  None.  All the rest of the cats were around (and demanding food).  We were a little bummed, but we figured it might take a day or two for him to realize we were home.  That, or our across-the-street neighbor (who has expressed a proprietary interest in our cat) had cat-napped him and was keeping him in her house.  

Over the course of the last week, we've called for Moe and looked for Moe repeatedly.  If I saw our neighbor, I was going to ask her about Moe - but she hasn't shown herself since we got back. 

And, then, Joe talked to her man yesterday.  He told Joe that Moe had been run over on the main road near our house the day before we'd gotten back home.  We were a sad couple last night.  Very sad.  

Joe cooked steak for dinner tonight.  And it was quite tasty.  Om nom nommy.  And so I went outside to feed the herd and treat them with scraps.  I had just finished tossing the scraps out and and had *just* dialed my sister on my cell when what to my wondering eyes should appear? 

MOE!  He sauntered up like he hadn't been missing for a week and a half.  I picked him up and heard my phone ringing and dumped my phone on the washing machine on the way in the house to show Joe who was going to be so stunned and excited and I must've hung up the phone somehow in all my excitement.  Katy called me back right away and I missed that call because I was too excited about our Moe being in our house and being very much NOT DEAD.  And then I called my sister and was all shrieky I'm sure.  :)

After looking him over, it's rather apparent that he hasn't been spending much time indoors while we were gone.  There's a scab on his shoulder and an odd bump on the tip of one ear.  And there was a big fat tick nestled at the base of his whiskers beside his nose.  He did not like the tick removal operation at all.  I think I got it all.  But we'll monitor it for a week or so to make sure I didn't leave any of the head in to get infected.

He is demanding cuddle time from Joe.  They like to sit on the couch together and watch TV.  It's incredibly cute.