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Not Just a Comic Book

Until recently I couldn't understand the graphic novel/comic book craze. Sure, as a child my family had old Archie, Katy Keene, and, of course, Conan comic books. I read what we owned multiple times but I never sought to increase my personal comic collection, which consisted of maybe two comics, preferring the traditional block text book to panels and bubble-speak.

Since their increase in popularity, I have yet to delve into this genre. I read a manga once. The extent of my graphic novel experience, at least until the past week.

Never had I thought there could be so much substance to a graphic novel. But that's because as a librarian I've been lectured about the history of graphic novels but never told how they could be so exciting!

Nobody ever recommended WATCHMEN by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

The super cool trailer for the movie version of WATCHMEN encouraged me to seek out the graphic novel, which passed in and out of my book drop without so much as a second glance. I decided to read the graphic novel to prepare for the film (which I hope isn't R-rated) and cannot stop thinking about it.



The last book I read that really got me thinking was Year of Wonder by Geraldine Brooks. Days after reading this, and even now, I'll zone out and think about the themes, plot, and characters in this gripping portrayal of a medieval village hit by plague.

WATCHMEN has had the same effect and I feel that in order to really understand this book, I'll have read it at least 10 times. Ideas for college essay papers keep flowing into my brain the further into the book I get.

For instance, superheroes are not perfect! The majority of superheroes in WATCHMEN have skeletons in their closets. They are prone to vice, vigilantism, and narcissism. Often the reader is left wondering who the real villains are. Similarly, real-life superheroes--figures in history that we tend to put on pedestals and make into legends--are also flawed. Historical revisionism is highly controversial. Do we really need to know that Thomas Jefferson had an affair with one of his slaves, fathering many of her children? Should we teach our children to admire and idolize the office of the President when he(although we have moved an inch in the direction of the possibility of having a she) can make awful decisions and lead a nation to its downfall?

Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. are some figures that I idolize. However, as I learn more about their lives I have to stop and ask myself: Do their imperfections define them? Does it matter that one cheated on his wife; the other slept naked with young women to "strenghen" his devotion to brahmacharya; or that they may have performed any other morally questionable acts? Does the principle of the matter--the fact that they had the courage to stand for justice and unity and then seek to right some major injustices in their societies--compensate for imperfection?

When we teach our kids to idolize figures in history--whether past or present--are we doing a disservice to them, creating an image of unattainable perfection? Or do we make it a necessary lesson in forgiving people for their weaknesses, thanking them for their positive and life changing contributions to the world, and then allowing them to move on and progress in life?

Each member of the WATCHMEN organization has his/her own personal moral code and sense of justice(really don't we all?), which often falls outside the boundaries of the law of the land. For some, putting on a mask makes it okay to beat the crap out of the bad guy. How about killing a child murderer/rapist? Were they more effective in keeping the streets safe because they were left to their own devices to protect the people and not restrained by the Constitution? [Of course, in the story an act was passed forcing the WATCHMEN into retirement (at least the ones who would obey) because of their methods.]

Sometimes we see our real-life heroes in the police force (and other heroes) who are charged with the responsibility to protect and serve the people making mistakes. Sometimes they lose control and beat their "bad guys" senseless, let racism cloud their vision, pull the trigger a little too easily, or accused with sexual misconduct while on duty.

So much to philosophize over and just a couple of themes in the book! I recommend checking out the book and reading at least a few chapters. It can be a little graphic at times (hence the genre name graphic novel) but it's really nothing more than what we see in the world around us.

"Main Street" Update

I asked a retired History/Government professor (my sister's father-in-law) to define Main Street America and this is his reply:

"The press uses the phrase "Main Street America" inaccurately now. It used to be that on "Main Street" of most towns you had the local businesses, banks. There were no malls, Wal-Marts, etc." These were mostly people who didn't have heavy investments in stocks, (especially Wall Street which has a negative connotation for most people because of the Great Depression). This is no longer true because when you walk down "Main Street" now, you don't have just local businesses. You have national and international chains. He also thinks the media did a disservice by labeling the efforts to get out of the financial mess we're in as a "Bail Out". No wonder most people are so opposed to it. No one likes the idea of bailing out someone or some corporation. It would be impossible to determine the exact origin of both these terms, but most likely, it was someone in the media."

I think the term is being used for "non-Main Street America" to appear in touch with the average American.

Kissing

My husband claims dementia whenever I ask him about his experiences as a kid or in high school. Tonight, I was reading a book where a 12 year old girl is tricked into a kiss by a 14 year old boy. I started thinking about first kisses and asked Russ when his first kiss was. Now, I've posed this question to him before but he becomes uncooperative, stating he doesn't understand why I'd care for all the details. I always have to explain that it's probably because I'm a female and think these stories are fun, all the while thinking,"I need to ask my mom about her first kiss. Maybe dad too."

After grilling him for details, I heard a different story tonight. Russ' first kiss was not at age 19 but was actually in the fifth grade. It was a girl named Natalie. He liked her and apparently she liked him back since she asked him to kiss her when they were alone by the fence on the playground. He said they were "together" for about a month but he never kissed her again. He did kiss girls in high school but only on the forehead--yes, I married a true gentleman.

I remember Becky C and I taking turns kissing Richard on the cheek while we sat against the wall at Santa's Secret Shop in the first grade. I was nervous but peer pressure gave me courage. My next kiss was like Russ' fifth grade one--a quickie on the lips--but at the end of tenth grade. Then the next was with a boyfriend my first year of college.

I think someone should publish a book of first kisses. First kisses of regular people. I take an unexplained delight in these stories--they're cute and sometimes a little romantic. Maybe a small book, like the ones you find in the Hallmark store that make good gifts for graduates, friends, or wives.

If a book like this has been published, can someone please let me know?

"Main Street America"

What is this phrase I just heard in the debate last night by John McCain? I'm sure it's been thrown around before this; I just haven't noticed it.

Has the phrase "the middle class" become derogatory or is it easier to consider "main street America" than the lowly "middle class" America? Is there an attempt here to seem fresh and hip by coining a new phrase?

As for the debate, in my mind Obama beat McCain. I may be biased because I've agreed with Obama on many issues as opposed to McCain. I've always like what Obama has said about the so-called war on terrorism.

I guess there are terrorists in many countries so we can just randomly select which one to invade at any given time. Was this what George W thought when he invaded Iraq on the coatstrings of 9/11? What was his agenda for invading Iraq? He obviously didn't care to find Bin Laden; that was just an excuse to appease the American people's desire for revenge for the events of 9/11. Otherwise he would have committed more to hunting down Al-Qaeda and not devoted the majority of military resources to Iraq, promoting the growth of this terrorist organization in our so-called allied country Pakistan and elsewhere.

I wonder if McCain will address some of the domestic issues as president or if he'll continue in the tradition of the current administration and pretend all is well in America.

Job Update

I knew when I didn't get the jobs I interviewed for at the end of this summer that there had to be a reason, and in the end this has proven true.

I'll be transferring to the main library the end of November to take on the teens who hang out and cause a ruckus. Apparently there are concerns with gangs hanging outside that are trying to "convert" preteens and tweens. Then there are the teens who hang out upstairs and drive the staff and other patrons nuts while they wait for their time on the Internet. I'll be assigned to an area downstairs so I'm unclear as to how I'm supposed to befriend and rein these kids in.

There will be many questions to answer and kinks to iron out but overall I'm pleased that I'll be able to work with the clientele I want to, will no longer have to balance being a manager with being a children's librarian, and will (hopefully) no longer be stressed with the multitude of children's programming throughout the system. And my current boss is moving to the same department as I am, which I was very pleased to hear. Once again my mother-in-law will have to be moved to a different division (as nepotism is a huge no-no) so hopefully she won't regret introducing me to her son since this will be the second time in a year that she has had to change divisions on account of me. (I for one have no regrets about her introducing me to her son :)

Floor Potato

Lately I've been a real couch potato. No gym for me. The last time I went was about 2 weeks ago and before that one time it had been a month. Regardless, my butt will remain flat because I watch TV sitting on the floor, where I have my cross-stitch supplies laid out in front of me--"Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat....".

These are my top 5 TV shows, in random order.

1) Battlestar Galactica (2004): Unfortunately, there is only half a season left. Also, unfortunately we're stuck wondering what happened to Earth for the next 6 months because the season will resume in Jan 2009. This show is action packed, has a huge special effects budget, and the acting is alright. A must see for sci-fi junkies (although sci-fi junkies are probably already in the know). And for people who for whatever reason feel they must be loyal to the old Galatica--this one is soooooooooooo much better!

2) Bones (2005): Loosely based on the works of forensic anthropologist and writer Kathy Reichs, this show has suspense, good acting, and a little grossology. Plus, the show is very un-Hollywood so it's a little more original than the other forensic shows on the air.


3) Burn Notice (2007): I just started watching this one and love it! Even Russ seems to enjoy it. Wit, action, suspense, and great acting. And it's nice to see Bruce Campbell in a regular role again. And I have a little bit of a crush on the main character.

4) The Closer (2005): Another cop/detective show (a guilty pleasure). Also very un-Hollywood, with good acting and suspenseful episodes.
5) Supernatural (2005): Creepy yet often humorous. I can't wait for the season premier to see if Sam can rescue Dean.

La-la-la-la...
From the dew-soaked hedge creeps a crawly caterpillar,
When the dawn begins to crack.
It's all part of my autumn almanac.
Breeze blows leaves over, mostly coloured yellow,
So I sweep them in my sack.
Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac.
---"Autumn Almanac" The Kinks

Hubbie and I were walking around Michaels, weaving in and out of the aisles, which were laden with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and, yes, a teeny bit of Christmas decor. And then it hit me.
My favorite season is Autumn.
For the past two years I find myself depressed and refusing to be uplifted in the Spring. Summer is a zoo and way too hot. With Old Man Winter comes the cold, short days, and snow, which is really stressful to drive in, not to mention wet and cold to be out in.
And then there's Autumn.
While wandering around Michaels, I found myself full of hope (which I'd normally attribute to the symbolism of the Spring--renewal, rebirth, etc) and excitement for the Autumn holidays.
But most of all there is comfort and peace in the smells and warm tones of the season.

The scents of autumn
Nutmeg, pumpkin, cider, cinnamon
warm the body, soul.

The colors of fall
Gold, red, orange, and olive
are tranquility.

Humbled

I had three experiences this week that reminded me that/why I love my job.

1) Yesterday I wandered out my office and spied one of my story time graduates lying on the floor of the library while his mother browsed the audio books. I commented on how bored he looked. His mom revealed that he is on strike: no more books for him! Well, no librarian could sit idly by while a kid decided he hates books. I knew what he liked--animals--and that there is more than just your standard book at the library. We went to the kid's magazines. He took a stack of Zoobooks. I asked him if he likes comic books (usually those who claim to be anti-reading love comics). Luckily, this fad has trickled down the publishing industry from adult to teens and on down to beginning readers. We found a Phonics Comics book. My little buddy was delighted with his library loot.

2) Grown women and little girls alike can relate to this one. Remember playing teacher? Well, today I learned that one of my little story time girls likes to play librarian. After her day at the library (usually entailing story time) she goes home, props up books for display and plays music, conducting her own story time. I'm a role model!

3) Down a custodial staff member at the branch, I was stocking the restrooms with paper towels and toilet paper. In the women's restroom, the little sister of one of my young kindred spirit patrons was washing her hands (and checking out her scabbed nose, scabbed upper lip, and newly repaired front tooth--she face planted off a scooter). We chatted a little. Her mom knocked on the door telling her to hurry up and I went into a stall to replace the toilet paper. When I went to throw the packaging away, my new little friend was standing next to the trash can, back against the wall, and looking like she had something to say. She had me cornered and blurted out, "Do you know any good books for third graders?" and we were off!

It is so fun to see young people grow in their love for books and reading. It can begin at such a young age and with a little encouragment, nurturing, and a positive reading experience, develops into a lifelong love affair.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh, to be a kid with the joys of summer vacation (although mine were never at a cottage on the property of a great manor), running around the neighborhood (this case a manor), getting into trouble, and playing with siblings and friends.

The characterization in this book is so well done. I feel like I know the characters personally--I laugh at their quirks, relate to them, ached with them.

Excellent book!


View all my reviews.
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jeanne Birdsall is such a great writer. I absolutely love the characters. They are real and I enjoy comparing myself as a kid (thoughts, attitudes, actions) to the girls.

This book is a great read aloud. It will probably appeal less to boys than the first one (this one has some dating and crushes involved).

Readalikes: Ida B., Anastasia Krupnik


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The Twilight Series Obsession: Why Is It Soooooooo Popular? a work in progress

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series is comparable (although doesn't touch the popularity of) to the Harry Potter rage. A great number of teenage girls (who generally already are reading)are obsessed with this series where a normal teenage girl moves to a town in Washington state and begins a romance with a sexy vampire. Not only do adolescent females obsess about this series but so do many 20-something females.

What is it about Twilight that grips these young women?

My first attempt at the first book in the series, Twilight, was failed. I read up to chapter 13 and lost interest. Because the popularity of these books continued and I listened to Meyer speak at a conference at BYU, I decided to take up where I left off, enjoyed the rest of the novel and devoured the second book in the series, New Moon. Luckily (or so I thought), Eclipse, book 3, would be released later that summer. Eclipse was a disappointment. Merely a part two of book 2 (Meyer was still building up her readership and the 700+ paged book that she can publish now may have been intimidating at the time), predictable, and highly verbose, Eclipse introduced a love triangle added complication to the story line. Regardless of the lack of good editing and a redundant plot, girls were head over heels with the sexy, "beautiful" vampire Edward Cullen and romancing him vicariously through the protangonist, "average" teenager Bella Swan. Despite their opinion of the events in Eclipse they couldn't wait for the next installment to see if (well, when) Bella is turned into a vampire. The fourth book, Breaking Dawn, has received bittersweet attention, including plot holes requiring an explanation from the author, an lame stand on a controversial issue of the day (abortion), and hot sex (but only implied--over and over and over.)

Often the success of this series is compared to the success of Harry Potter. But that is disparaging to the Harry Potter series, which contains many literary elements, lovable characters, and has still surpassed Twilight in its popularity. If the quality of writing in the series is nothing special and the stories long-winded and slow, plot holes, etc., what is it about the series that young women love? Why is the Twilight so popular when there are better quality young adult novels, romantic, suspenseful, and paranormal?

According to the Harlequin Romance Annual Report 2007 a high percentage of men and women consider themselves to be romantic. Seventy-two percent of the women interviewed wished they had more romance in their lives. (p. 3) According to the Business of Consumer Book Publishing 2007, romance was the biggest selling genre of books in 2007. The Romance Writers of America also compare the market share of romance novels when compared to other popular genres:

Romance fiction: $1.375 billion in estimated revenue for 2007
Religion/inspirational: $819 million
Science fiction/fantasy: $700 million
Mystery: $650 million
Classic literary fiction: $466 million

As you can see, Americans love reading about love.

The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer has many elements of a harlequin romance.

Here are their similarities:

-Characters: They're sexy and exotic, although the heroine is usually described as having some flaw--like Bella. The main characters in Twilight are super sexy and out of this world.

-Passionate/physical/domination-oriented relationships: Harlequin heroes usually force themselves on the weak heroine who claims her hate of the man, but then she decides she likes him and they begin a hot physical relationship. Vampire/human sex is brutal but Bella wants more, more, more!

-Physical relationship: In both Twilight and harlequins there is little development of the relationship on anything but a physical level. Bella constantly praises Edward but mostly in a physical sense. How many times do we hear how "beautiful" Edward is? How often does she compliment his strength? How often does Bella want to jump him? Edward is initially attracted to Bella because her blood smells sweet and she's hard to get (or at least her brain is hard to get into).

-Superficial character development: Because the harlequin is written primarily for the physical relationship, little is necessary for character development. We get a basic profile of the heroine. The hero is a man of mystery. Any other information is not necessary and not really wanted by the reader. Bella is an adolescent. She acts like a stereotypical adolescent and her motivations outside of that are not really necessary. She has many self-absorbed ruminations but they don't extend very deep. We have limited information on Edward. He's been around for almost a century but he doesn’t volunteer very much information about his past. Most of the discussions between Bella and Edward are about her life being in danger, how much she wants to jump him, and why he should accept her relationship with Jacob?

I'd like to hear your opinions.

Thank you.

Fantastic Fairy Tale Rewrites

The great thing about fairy tales is that we read many variations of them and regardless what little details are altered or how the endings change, they draw us in, cause us to use our imaginations, and fill us with a bit o' nostalgia (unless you lived a very sheltered life!).

We now have graphic novels and novelizations that seek to explain misunderstood characters, to give voice to characters, or seek to finish the stories (perhaps make them more complete). Not all are great but here are some my personal favories.

Jessica Day George is a new find. She did a rewrite of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" called Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, where she gives the heroine a name and a voice. (George is also a funny, entertaining gal; is a good selection for an author visit for upper elementary and high school and public libraries.)

I really like Shannon Hale's books: The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and River Secrets. She has a graphic novelization of "Rapunzel" called Rapunzel's Revenge out.

Gail Carson Levine writes stories that have elements of our favorite fairy tales. Ella Enchanted is similar to "Sleeping Beauty." When an infant, Ella is given a gift from a fairy: the gift of obedience. She has wicked stepsisters and fairy godmothers. This title is also a Newbery Honor book.

Beauty is very popular (by Robin McKinley), however, I didn't find it compelling. I have heard a couple of variations of "Beauty and the Beast" and this retelling didn't offer any new ideas. However, it is very popular and McKinley is a good writer (think Newbery good!). She has another retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" called Rose Daughter, which I have not attempted. Reviews say that Rose Daughter has some different elements of the fairy tale and her initial retelling, so a worthwhile read, I'm sure.

Juliet Marillier writes a lot of traditional fantasy as well as Wildwood Dancing, a combination of the "The Frog Prince" and "The Twelve Dancing Princesses."

That man that hath a tongue, I say, is no man,
If with his tongue he cannot win a woman.
The Two Gentleman of Verona, 3. 1

I spent the past two days in Cedar City, UT. The main reason I went down there was to present at a workshop for an organization I belong to. For fun, last night I went to see my very first Shakespeare Festival play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona. It was excellent and I have decided--and still need to run this by Russ--that I will return every summer I'm in Utah to see a play.

The acting was wonderful, the costumes beautiful, and the atmosphere of the facility at Southern Utah University fun. I was transported to another time period. I was pleased to see the young people there--a few kids and some teens. Shakespeare has some fun plays, and luckily the content may be over the heads of the some the younger audience members until they mature a little.

Usually, attending a play is not high on my priority list. I'll admit that as a child I was turned off by musicals because I saw my mother and sister bonding over them--it was a female bonding experience--and I had not interest in that (I was a tomboy). This was the second play I saw this summer. The first was The Music Man performed by members of the Farmington, Utah community. It was really well done, although having never experienced this story before, I was disappointed at the end of the play (maybe I wouldn't have been if Marian the Librarian hadn't been seduced by the conman music vendor--shouldn't he be held accountable for his swindling? But then again Proteus was forgiven by his lover and best friend that he betrayed in a very feminine fashion--maybe I should study more about forgiveness).

The city of Cedar City was fun as well and I'd like more time to explore it. We stayed at the Best Western Town and Country, which was in a good location right next to the Park and the Library at the Park and walking distance to some shops and restaurants.

Next year's plays look fun. The 2009 venue for the Cedar City Shakespeare Festival is below.
Plays by Shakespeare
The Comedy of Errors
Henry V
As You Like It
The Adventurs of Pericles

Plays by Other Playwrights
Foxfire
Private Lives
The Secret Garden (musical)
Pump Boys and Dinettes
The Woman in Black

The TV is on, the program is Curtain Call, and I'm practicing for a second interview, checking email, surfing the net, etc. The movie is just ending and I haven't paid much attention, however, when the man proposes to the woman, I find myself teary-eyed. Where did that come from? It has to be the lack of anti-depressant.

For a while there I thought I'd become a cold heart--well, at least not very sensitive in situations I think I should be(although I did a little teary at the wedding). It was almost like I forgot to feel and had a hard time pinning down what I was feeling.

Lately, I'm surprised if I do recognize some emotion actually welling up inside--happiness, peace, sentimentality, love.

6 Months and Happy as Ever

Six months ago this day and time Russ and I were married! Its hard to believe its been this long. In fact, its hard to believe that I'm married.

After about 29 years of being single, always thinking marriage would come a few years into the future--maybe--the reality is meeting the man of my dreams and getting married "just happened." It was so easy; I guess that happens when you meet the "right" person. You click on level never reached before in any relationship, and the relationship evolves to the point where you want to make the commitment to be together forever.

Here's to happily ever after.

Gossip Girl

It's funny! The big ad campaign for the TV series Gossip Girls is under fire. I'll bet those upset about it never read one of the books that the television series is based on. The books are pretty raunchy themselves!

Depression

There is some interesting research into the cause of depression. I'm finding all over the Internet that neurogenesis, the growth of new neurons in the brain, is low in people who suffer from depression, especially chronic sufferers.

Sounds like more research needs to be done but this could be a breakthrough.

Tagged

Kizze tagged me so here it is:

How long have we been married? 5 and a half months!

How old is Russ? 31

Who eats more? Moi (and I hear I eat like a guy, which is similar to eating like a pig--snort, snort!)

Who said "I love you" first? Russ wanted to but I was afraid to hear it.

Who is taller? Russ by 9 inches!

Who sings better? Probably moi, but that doesn't say much.

Who is smarter? Russ remembers everything, and he got a much higher ACT score.

Who controls the T.V.? Both

Who's temper is worse? Mine.

Who does the laundry? Russ

Who does the dishes? Depends; the person who doesn't cook does the dishes. Usually I cook so Russ does the dishes.

Who sleeps on the right? Me, but sometimes I switch because its closer to the fan.

Who cooks? Me, although Russ cooked a mean Christmas Eve dinner last Dec.

Who is more stubborn? Its a tie.

Who admits they are wrong first? Usually I'm in the wrong (really), so its up to me.

Whose parents do you see more? Russ'.

Who has more siblings? Russ--he is the second of 7 and everyone in the family is married except one, but she's engaged.

Who has more friends? Moi.

Who wears the pants? We're pretty equitable.

Back to School

Russ is going back to school--HURRAY! It's been about 12 years so it seems like he's going for the first time. He'll be going to the community college to beef up his transcript and majoring in 3D Animation.

And things worked out on the job front for him, too. He will be taking a part-time position at Discover with the same hourly wage that he has now. We are so excited that everything is falling into place!

It's funny how many people I know are or have been in a similar situation as me. The bride is already educated and established. Then she marries and puts her husband through school. Even my doctor was telling me that she and her husband recently finished his BA--he's 39 years old.

Meanwhile, I keep applying for jobs closer to the city in order so we can move closer to Russ' job and school. BSU doesn't seem to ever receive my transcript requests so up to this point the job hunting is a bust.

Space...The Final Frontier

Last night we watched When We Left the Earth: The NASA Missions , a documentary on the first flights into space (The Science Channel).

There were casualties in the early stages of space exploration. The United States first sent a monkey that died on its return when its parachute didn't open. Laika, the first animal to actually be sent into orbit, was a stray dog. Laika died in orbit due to stress and overheating. How would you like those odds? The people who pick you off the streets wants you for an experiment, not as a pet.

The Russians also beat the Americans by sending the first man into orbit. While, Alan Shepherd was impatiently waiting for NASA to finish tests to see if he'd be able to survive a flight into space and awaiting other delays, the Russians sent their guy up. The funny thing is their astronaut underwent rigorous tests, too; either willing to take more risks or just more advanced in their technology than the Americans.

On the day that NASA had scheduled their trip to space, NASA's flight control kept delaying the flight until finally Shephard made the executive decision to just do it!

I'm sad to see that the American cowboy mentality is fading away. Other countries, including India and China, are interested in space exploration and making steps to do spacewalks, design new rockets, and put satellites into orbit. Now we have wars, monetary problems, and other "more important" concerns in America. Many resources are necessary to pursue space exploration; resources that we don't have and/or not willing to allot to a, let's say, "trivial" pursuit?

What would further space exploration achieve? Would it help us to fight our wars, cure cancer, or stop global warming? Maybe, maybe not. But perhaps it would help to unify the world. Healthy competition made space exploration possible in the first place. It would be nice to have a commonality with the countries of the world besides fighting terrorism, poverty, hunger, or global warming--you know, problems.

I'm being all domestic lately. Russ will tell you I'm a slob but I think I'm doing better (really, he has no idea).

And I've been cooking more. Tonight I made pork chops for the first time. They weren't the best chops ever made but they were edible. We'll be trying some other new dishes this week.

I decided to open a cookbook a friend gave me a couple of years ago and was surprised to see how simple the recipes were. Really, if all recipes were that easy (meaning there are five steps or less and I can understand all the terminology without the help of a dictionary) I would have started cooking more a long time ago.