Stuff and Things

Public service announcement:

Last night while I was at work (in a fairly decent part of town), a woman was waiting to pull into a parking space. This, apparently, pissed off a man who also wanted the space. When she started to get out of her car to come into the store, he tried to climb in and attack her. She called the police, and came inside after he was gone to wait for them, but as far as I know, they never showed up even though she waited at least an hour.

This happened in broad daylight, in a crowded lot, in what is generally considered a "good" part of town.

I would like to take this moment to remind everyone--especially ladies who work evenings, like me--to be safe and watch your backs out there.

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In other news:

The trip to Montreal has me wanting to bring something I wrote the last time I was there out of The Cooler in a style that would make Col. Hogan proud--simple editing isn't enough, oh no. My writing style has matured a shocking amount in three years, so a full re-write is in order. I'm keeping the basic structure, but almost everything needs to be reworded.

As much as I wanted to finish Ghost Hunters, I just couldn't. It follows roughly thirty different scientists and doesn't have a coherent timeline, hopping back and forth between different decades. It just got to be too much, so I returned it to the library.

I finished Kitty Takes a Holiday yesterday. As wonderful as expected, but I feel back for Cormac. And Ben.

Demon Hunts, of course, was fantastic. Very squee worthy. And if I say any more on the subject, I'm going to be spouting spoilers.

I started reading Heat Wave; it's future is iffy. I'm halfway through chapter one. I may not start chapter two. Melodrama, anyone? It doesn't feel like a mystery thriller. It feels like a trashy romance. I'm sort of surprised Nikki Heat is still clothed, not that it matters considering how transparent she is. The comedy and tension that works so well for the tv show does not translate well into literature, at least not the way it's written.

For relief from not-so-great reading material, I also started the book of Sookie Stackhouse short stories, but I'm about as far into that as I am into Heat Wave. Still, it promises much more enjoyment.

On my ipod: Teenagers--My Chemical Romance
In the DVD player: Titanic
On the night stand: A Touch of Dead and Heat Wave

Happiness is a Full Bookshelf

This is my current reading list. I am in the middle of Ghost Hunters, which is a non-fiction account of early paranormal investigators in the Victorian era; I got the itch last night to re-read my favorite Mercedes Lackey book (which also happens to be the first fantasy book I ever read that wasn't Harry Potter), Magic's Pawn. While I was reading it, I totally forgot I'd hoarded some cash in it and $50 fell into my lap. I went to the bookstore today to pick up a joke book (more on that in a minute) and Changeless, which I've only been looking forward to from the instant I finished Soulless. While I was in Borders, I happened by accident on Demon Hunts. I'd forgotten it came out on the 6th. So I snapped that up, too.

On the way in to Borders, we made a stop at the library, because I had a reserve in--Heat Wave. I want to be Richard Castle when I grow up, so I figured I'd give the book a shot. I figure that since it's based off of my favorite tv shows, it'll either be really good or really bad. We'll see.

Waiting in the wings I also have the next Kitty Norville book (Kitty Takes a Holiday), which I'm also eager to start. You just have to love a werewolf named kitty.

And then, my mom handed me a book of Sookie Stackhouse short stories. I love the books so much, I've decided to give the series another try, so the first season is on reserve for me at the library. Should be in just before or just after we get back from Montreal.

Which brings me back to the joke book: We're going up to see my uncle in Montreal the first week of July. I can't wait. If you've been here long, then you might remember my love affair with the city. This will be my first return visit since 2007. My uncle and I are, I guess, the funny ones in the family (that used to include his dad, my grandpa, but he passed away several years ago). He's always nagging me that I don't have jokes for him anymore, when I had tons as a kid. The problem is that grown up jokes are either really...tasteless, in my opinion, or they are more like funny stories, the "you had to be there" type. So, I picked up some new material.

Speaking of funny, here's another comic strip for your entertainment:



Yes, my cat really did pat me on the head while I was cleaning his litter box. I didn't think it was that bad at the time, but I guess I'm not the one who has to use it. :)

On my ipod: 4 Minutes (Glee Cast version)
In the DVD player: Batman: The Dark Knight
On the night stand: Ghost Hunters and Magic's Pawn

Anywhere but here

Sometimes, when I'm driving on the freeway into Columbus, coming home, or walking the few blocks down Cleveland or Grant to the library, I imagine that I am in Montreal, or London, or Paris. Even New York, so long as it's not Columbus, not Ohio, not the midwest. I can almost fool myself for about three seconds.

I've lived in a small Ohio town my whole life. Going to the city for school was one of the best decisions I ever made, but this town is so industrial, dirty. The people have been mostly rude. I can't walk through the park without looking over my shoulder. Every person around every bend is a potential serial killer or purse snatcher. I don't have dozens of keychains on my carabeaner because they're cute, I have dozens of keychairs because if I put my fingers through the carabeaner, I can swing it around like a short metal flail and inflict quite a bit of damage to an attackers face.

The other day I went for a walk through a local park. It's less than three blocks away. As I went through my route, no less than three times did I think someone would kill me.

Supposingly, Columbus has a fairly low crime rate. We're supposed to be a pretty safe city. But I felt so much safer in Montreal. I didn't know the language. I didn't know the layout. But as long as I was standing by the front door before the sun set, I felt safe. Up there, you see families on the streets and in the parks. Here, everyone but the homeless people and a few stray joggers stay indoors. People will nodd and smile to you on the street in Montreal, and here, you look straight ahead. Do not make eye contact, ever.

This city is stagnent. I want out, and I hope to God/dess that I get accepted to the Study Abroad program so I can get the hell out. I don't think I can take another semester in this city.