The Days and Nights of Tiny Montgomery: Daily Asserveration - Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Daily Asserveration - Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Today I have three things that particularly pleased me. The first is that I woke to find video recordings of band practices from 1995 posted on Facebook by our old friend (and Steve's former co-worker) Chris. The band was the Pelvic Marvels, which were resurrected from the first incarnation in the 80s. It was a hoot, holding those practices, and we had a great time. And, most importantly, they were a catalyst to Steve and I thinking of each other that way.

Second was that on some days the machines like me very much. Or at least they are willing to cooperate with me. How much do I love Skype and VOIP? A lot! I can talk to my Scottish Correspondent, halfway around the world, for free, and it sounds like he is just down the street. Actually, the connection is better than most local cell phone calls.

Third was that I had the urge to draw and paint and I did it and I'm moderately happy with the results. So, basically, I'm really happy to be moderately happy in this case. Got it? Good. Here's what I ended up with today.

No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

What I'm Reading

Complicity by Iain Banks - Continuing my exploration of Banks and Scottish literature I delved into my third Banks novel, this one yet again completely different. The story of drug and drink addicted journo who gets inadvertently involved in a serial killer's revenge murders.
How to Be Good by Nick Hornby - It had its moments, but I got rather bored with it about 2/3 through. I'm not sure ole Nick ought to make his main characters female.
Sunshine by Robin McKinley - This book was recommended by the librarian who goes on NPR all the time and talks about summer books, etc. As it was about vampires, I had to try it anyway. And I kind of loved it. A completely new twist on vampires in a sort of alternate universe now. Unfortunately, the sex, while teased, wasn't what I hoped for. I thought I'd try some of her other titles, but the covers alone had me running away, screaming. Very florid, fantasy-type illustrations. Think I'll just stick with this one and the hoped-for sequel.
The Braindead Megaphone Essays by George Saunders - I'm only a few pages in but I've already belly laughed -- out loud while alone and at work! -- something I don't ususally do. I appreciate, very much, written humor, but it seldom makes me actually laugh out loud. George Saunders is so brilliant and so completely right on and so fucking funny. I love his surreal, absurdist fiction, but this book is so completely perfect.
The Business by Iain Banks - Completely unlike the Wasp Factory, but compelling nonetheless. The female main character doesn't always ring true, but the story turns out to be wotth it, despite my initial reservations.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt - Since she wrote a book I really loved, The Little Friend, I thought I should give this a try. I'm only a chapter or so in, so I'm withholding judgement for now.
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks -- Whoa. This debut novel is like nothing I've read before. I have been known to physically throw books that feature animal abuse across the room in disgust, but this book uses it to further the story in a very effective way. I couldn't put it down.
You Don't Love Me Yet by Jonathan Lethem. Since I originally said I was reading this, I've read it at least three more times. (What? You listen to a record you like more than once, don't you?). I still can't really articulate why I love this book so much. There is just something that really speaks to me. Lethem is to be commended for writing a female character so perfectly.