From Erin

Go take the survey and make some science!

50 Books Update

I've finished:

No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark. It was...a Mary Higgins Clark book. The lead character is a woman in trouble (an interior designer this time, who is strong, intelligent and tries to handle everything by herself. Of course this leads to her (and her young son) nearly being murdered because she didn't go the the obvious "good guy" for help. If you like Mary Higgins Clark, you'll like this book, but it is pretty formulaic. 384 pages

Broken Prey by John Sandford. I read this in one sitting, so obviously it held my attention. It was much like the previous Lucas Davenport books, fun, interesting, mysterious, but not the great novel I'd like to run across this year. 400 pages

I was reading Gilead, but ran short of both interest and time. It was overdue at the library, so back it went. I'll give it another try soon.

Currently reading:
The Kills by Linda Fairstein

25/50 8428/15000

I thought it was closer to 100%

Your Deadly Sins

Wrath: 60%

Envy: 40%

Gluttony: 20%

Greed: 20%

Sloth: 20%

Lust: 0%

Pride: 0%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 23%

You will die, but first you will turn into an evil robot.

How Sinful Are You?

I've been extraordinarily busy lately. We moved to a new office across the valley, I seriously injured my back, and the Rat Bastard struck again. Hopefully, I'll soon have time to address all these things...including the 2 books I finished.

Birthdays, Babies and Baseball

It has been a really hectic few days, but things look they'll settle down next week. Sunday was not only Father's Day, but my favorite little nephew's 5th birthday.

Saturday, he got to have a party with all his friends, and being a great Batman enthusiast, his party was Batman themed...complete with "Pin the Bat on Batman", "Bat, Bat, Joker", and Bat capes for everyone. The front door proclaimed, "Holy Cake and Ice Cream, Batman, GC is 5 years old!" He was absolutely thrilled.

Sunday, there was a family party for him. When I got there, my sister said that earlier they had been talking about who was coming and she said I was coming. To which GC replied, "Caoimhe, loves me....I know 'cause she kisses me." Ahhh, my heart melted...I do love that little guy and I'm glad he knows it!

After GC opened all his presents, it was time to present my Dad with the gift we had all bought him. (A nice new porch swing, that can be converted into a hammock.) My brother and sister-in-law (also former room mate) had another gift for Dad. It was an ultra sound framed in a white picket frame that read, Grandpa and me...baby is due on Christmas Eve. Congratulations, N & K!

Last night, I went to the Stingers game. Great seats over the visiting team dugout, right on the 3rd base line. It was a really good, exciting game. We sat next to the cutest Dad and his 2 kids. A little boy (probably 7-8) and little girl (5-6). They all brought their gloves and promised not to let a ball hit me in the face, so we became good friends fast. Watching that Dad with his kids, man, that is exactly the kind of guy I'd like to end up with.

Tomorrow I'm taking a 1/2 day off to go shooting...the first outing this summer. *yay*

50 Books Update

I finished 4th of July by James Patterson an enjoyable enough book, but not something I highly recommend. The whole plot revolving around Lindsay Boxer's civil trial was laughable. Not even JP is going to completely destroy his main character in an ongoing series (he has no compunction about killing supporting characters, but not the top dog). The ending was also a bit forced, but I have to admit I wasn't sure who all the bad guys were, and when they were revealed it was a bit of a surprise. 400 pages

Next up: Gilead by Marilyn Robinson

23/50 7644/15000

You know...just stuff

I spent Saturday at the zoo experiencing the new Elephant Encounter and Rhino exhibit. I have to say, maybe out little zoo is looking up. They built in a ground level viewing area of the rhinos with their hay spread in front of the windows, so you are literally looking into their eyes from 2 feet away. It was branded, "Cool" by both the adults and kids that went.

We also got to see the new baby orangutan (who looks exactly like my niece did when she was a baby...all eyes and arms and legs, with seriously crazy hair)who was very, very cute. My 3 year old niece was completely obsessed by which animals were the Mommy and which animals were the Daddy and where were their babies, while her almost 5 year old brother was more concerned with getting a bite of my churro and his own bag of cotton candy. The just finished 1st Grade 8 year old was super excited that he could finally read most of the signs by himself. In fact, he navigated us through the zoo with his complimentary zoo map. It was a little overcast and it did rain a little, but we still had a good time.

On the way home I discovered that my sister-in-law has never been to Wheeler Farm (Her Dad is apparently scared of all destinations north of the Point?) so our next excursion will have to include a stop there.

J&B have selected August 4th for their wedding day...that is FAST, yo, even for a Utah, Mormon wedding. I expect high stress around the homestead until then.

I finished The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman. I'm torn. It was, I thought, uneven. Very good in places, very not-so-good in others. 224 pages

I can't believe we are nearly half way through the year and I haven't read a book that made me want to recommend it whole-heartedly to anyone and everyone who would listen. I'm currently reading 4th of July by James Patterson, which I'll blow through pretty quickly. My favorite thing about J.P. books are the super short chapters. It makes the book fly by and rarely leaves a good stopping point.

I'm off to finish my popcorn with hotsauce and read a little bit. I just can't bring myself to watch any Michael Jackson coverage. It really, truly makes me sick. Child molester or not, why would ANY parent let their child spend the night at Neverland?

22/50 7244/15000

Congratulations J&B!

My roommate got engaged last night, many congratulations and good wishes.

50 Books Update

I finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini a couple of days ago. If you recall, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it, but I was completely sucked in. It was an extremely emotional, melancholy story permeated with sadness and hope. I loved how it brought the traditions of Afghanistan to life and reminded everyone (or maybe showed for the 1st time) how lovely the country was before the Soviet invasion, the civil war and the Taliban destroyed it. The ending was not happy, nor sad just hopeful...much like real moments throughout my life. 371 pages

I'm currently reading The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman, a story of a woman who is struck by lighting and begins a torrid affair with another survivor. So far, so good.

For some reason all the books I had on hold at the library have come in at once so I've also got 4th of July by James Patterson and the Pulitzer Prize winning Gilead by Marilyn Robinson waiting to be read.

21/50 7020/15000

Weekend Happenings

Yesterday was quite a busy day. It started out with my brother blessing his new little one at 10:00. (The "blessing" is where a child is formally given a name to be known by on the records of the Church and throughout their lives, and to give a special blessing; those who hold the Melchezidek priesthood are invited to participate.)

My nephew asked why and how little Mitch was bouncing up and down during the blessing.

My answer: The magical power of the priesthood.

His Mom's answer: The guys each help hold the child and they kind of bounce them up and down to help prevent crying.

My answer was totally funnier than hers.

After the blessing and associated "refreshments", we headed off to Salt Lake to attend a baby shower for my cousin and his wife. We ran into a lot of traffic and barely made it before the shower was over. How is it that UDOT believes (even on a weekend) it will not cause HUGE traffic problems to close north bound I-15 down to 1 lane?! HOW? My theory: UDOT is of the devil.

Next up we met the boys at The Beehive House. This is my favorite place in all of Utah. It is the former home of Brigham Young, as well as the official residence of the territorial governor. It is remarkably well preserved and a wonderful bit of 19th century history. Several members of my family had never been there (WHAT? WHY?) so I forced them to go on the tour. If you are ever in Salt Lake, please visit. It is down South Temple from Temple Square and while the tours are now guided by LDS missionaries (instead of the Historical Society), they are fairly reserved and not to preachy. If you go make sure to note one of the earliest intercom systems and the "Fairy Castle" my 2 favorite features of the house.

On to dinner at Cafe Pierpont where 2 of my brothers took on the Super Mucho Grande Burrito Challenge and both lost pitifully.

Then the crowning glory of the day the InsideOut concert. It was 3rd Annual Last Concert ever and next year they've promised to be back, bigger and better than ever. InsideOut is 6 guys who met at BYU and formed their own group. Amazingly talented they have married and moved on to "real" careers far away from Utah (for the most part). This being the case their live performances are few and far between. They are incredibly amazing and hilarious to see in person! Their motto: Instruments are a crutch.

It was a very good day. More fun than I've had for a really long time. I'm a happy camper this weekend.

50 Books Update

I finished Ender's Shadow. I started out thinking this book was just okay, but at the end I was crying....just like in Ender's Game. 379 pages

I'm starting The Kite Runner today.

20/50 6649/15000

Happy Birthday!

To my sister who is turning 30 today....It's really not so bad.

50 Books Non-Update

How did I get behind schedule? Seriously, I should have been at 21 books and 6250 pages at the end of May. I have a *tiny* cushion on the pages read front, but 2 books behind. What happened?! I'm reading, really, but I guess just not anything all that interesting.

Currently I'm reading Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card. It makes me want to re-read Ender's Game as they are parallel books...taking place at the same time and place, but told from 2 different points of view. Interesting, but a little off-putting as well.

Next up, The Kite Runner which I've been wanting to read forever, but now that I actually have the book in my possession I'm not all that excited about it.

Memorial Day was quite the chilly, rainy affair. Not a lot of time spent outdoors, but it was good to see my Mom's side of the family. Plus, the sun peaked out just in time for the evening BBQ. No sunburn! I bought the new Coppertone continuous spray sunscreen, and it is awesome, y'all.