Religion Rots the Brain

That's my theory and I'm sticking to it. Candy is bad for your teeth and religion is bad for your brain.

Books I Intended to Read, and Ones I Actually Did

Well, I intended to read serious works of literature over my summer holiday, however, I haven't quite gotten to the library. (Summer being its' most odiferous season- our local library is a haven for the homeless men and women, being next to a park and located downtown). It certainly puts one's worries into perspective, though. Early this year I walked into the library, worrying of course about money, school and myriad other things. I went into the restroom and found a woman attempting to bathe herself in the inadequate sink, and this prompted me to feel incredibly shallow and insensitive to the needs of others. At least I can make ends meet (granted a strained thing, but still). How a simple visit to the restroom can make one thankful for all that one has. I have health, a loving husband, a job, my family nearby, and a place to live. As my grandmother used to say (and my mantra, lately), "It's just stuff" or (when I was a particularly starving student) "It's just money". How very true. It isn't remotely that important.

Well, back to my subject. I meant to read various important works this summer, but I found myself with a few old aquaintances on my bookshelves, instead. I began this season reading Laurie R. King's "Locked Rooms", a Mary Russell book. I am always so very excited to have another fascinating book by Ms. King, and this one lived up to my expectations. She is so talented at evoking a particular location that if this mystery thing doesn't work out, (which it seems to be- she landed on the bestseller list for this and many others), she might consider travel writing. Just as her first Mary Russell book created an insatiable thirst for Earl Grey and London, this book made me yearn for the City by the Bay. A good book, but I cannot bring myself to expect any less from Ms. King.

I also read Haven Kimmel's novel, "The Solace of Leaving Early", which was interesting. I was suprised that she had a bit of depth in her novel, as her memoir, "A Girl Named Zippy" was extremely light-hearted. (Though definitely very, very funny).

One of my favorites this summer was "Saturday", Ian McEwan's newest. I always enjoy his books, however, I am always left with the slight feeling that Mr. McEwan doesn't really care for people all that much. He never seems to sympathize in the slightest with any of his characters, which seems very odd to me. Perhaps a book cannot be "serious" if the author shows the moral weakness of caring about his creations.

Well, even though it is technically now July 31, I am still up, so I can safely wish my sister a very happy birthday. Thanks for inviting me for the fabulous Chinese food, even if the service left a bit to be desired.

Interesting Women

I just finished reading Freya Stark's "A Winter In Arabia", a satisfying read. Ms. Stark is intrepid explorer and savvy feminist; she is also a clever and intuitive diplomat. Her witty and well laid out books all fascinate me. I have no real desire to travel to the lands that she descibes, but she evokes the nuance and feeling of the culture that is rare among writers. She is entirely enjoyable as a travel companion from my sofa.

I have no classes for about seven weeks. What to read, what to read?

The public library is calling me.... My list is growing by the day. For a few sweet weeks, no one is getting married, no one is bacheloretting, no one is calling with parties. I will remain indoors to stay the inexorable deepening of my freckles and simply read. A lot. Ahhh....

Spring is in the Air

It's beginning to seem like the endless rain is over. I can finally smell the stirrings of spring, the California air redolent of dust and smog. Ah, spring.

My office is now sixty degrees below zero, because it was about eighty degrees outside. There's some kind of formula used in calculating the optimum office temperature here. It must involve some seriously interesting math, as now I am dressing in light clothing, as not to sweat to death outside. Inside, however, I am utilizing a free company blanket and free company sweater. Which makes me look like a branded bag lady. So that's nice.

R and I went to the Dodgers game tonight. Which officially makes it spring time. They lost, but the glorious feeling that winter is banished kept a smile on my face.

Early spring smells like damp earth and sea salt here by the shore. Now I can barely smell the dust and pollution because my nasal membranes have completely dried out. Santa Ana winds are blowing in, making contact lenses unbearable. In fact, they make having eyeballs pretty unbearable. I miss the rainy winter already. Sigh.