It's September. And I know that a lot of people have been waiting for it. Baseball fans because the regular season is winding down and the playoffs will start. Football fans because the season has just started. And people like me, who wait for the start of the new, Network TV season. More on that later.
Miscellaneous
Interworld - Neil Gaiman and Michael Reeves ($16.99/$1.00, 239 pages, copyright 2007, Hard Cover)
I grabbed this up when I saw it because it was by Neil Gaiman. Later, I realized that it was for Young Readers. Oh well. Our hero, Joey, finds out that he's a Walker and can travel to other Earths in other dimensions, each slightly different from each other. An interesting idea that falls by the wayside when the authors bring in a war for total control between magic and science with Joey and an army of himselves (each different from each other) trying to prevent it. The authors tried to pitch this originally to TV executives, but no one bit. Maybe it would work better as a graphic novel. It was OK.
Series
Darkness, Take My Hand - Dennis Lehane ($7.99/$.50, 355 pages, copyright 1996, Paperback)
This is the second in Lehane's Patrick Kenzie/Angela Gennaro series, and it is way darker then the first. It starts with a Prologue that sets up the foreboding atmosphere that pervades the book. Sure, it starts with our protagonists still having fun, and involved in a menacing stalker kind of case but it quickly becomes so much more. Mob figures, cops, crazy gunmen, and a serial killer who's been operating off the radar for years weave through this in ways that will keep you guessing. I enjoyed it.
Cold Service - Robert B. Parker ($9.99/$.50, 336 pages, copyright 2005, Paperback)
I've mentioned before what I call the Spenser Effect - where the protagonist has a partner who handles all the really dirty work. No one does it better then the original. In this one, Hawk (the partner) is seriously wounded while trying to protect a family. He seeks revenge. Spenser's moral code demands that he go along. Add in cops, corrupt officials, mobsters, and some amazing dialog and you get a great read. I enjoyed it.
Other Notes
As I mentioned earlier, the new Network TV season has started. (I only have limited, basic service so they are pretty much all I get.) I've seen a few and I have to admit that nothing seems to jump out at me.
I found "Person of Interest" ...interesting There was a good twist in the first episode, but I'll reserve judgement for now.
I thought the first episode of "Prime Suspect" to be incredibly sexist, and unrealistic because of that.
This seems to be a season for funny women. "Two Broke Girls", "New Girl", and "Whitney" had some amusing moments but I probably won't see too much of them due to scheduling.
"The Playboy Club" and Pan Am" seem to the Networks attempt to capitalize on the success of "Mad Men". I don't intend to watch either.
I am looking forward to "Terra Nova" and "Grimm". If they're still around next month, maybe I'll give you my opinion. Till then...
Keep reading.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Special Insert #6
Yesterday was an anniversary. A somber day. Gray. With all the news coverage of the day's events - and the heightened security measures - it really brought that grim day rushing back. And then....
The sun came out today.
Literally and, I think, figuratively.
To illustrate:
1.) I was in ShopRite and I noticed a manager singing along with the taped music. "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilson.
2.) I was in WalMart and I noticed a customer singing along with their taped music. "You're Song" by Elton John.
In both cases - not humming, not under their breath...singing. I felt like singing, too. And I know why.
The sun came out today.
And I realized that, although we sometimes mark anniversaries with tears and somber music... anniversaries are for the living.
Personally, there have been a number of anniversaries in my family this year (and I include birthdays in with anniversaries). And there have been "Special Days" - some of these will cause anniversaries of their own and some are just individual milestones that call for celebration. Back in March, I referred to all of these days as swatches in a family's quilt. Special moments - good or bad, black-and-white or colorful - that make up a family's collective memories. That get passed down from generation to generation. Days that are remembered and celebrated.
In February, we had a party for my father-in-law on what would have been his 90th birthday. It had been talked about before he passed away the previous year and it helped as a way to remember him.
In March, my daughter got married. Many anniversaries will follow.
In April, my first great-nephew (grand-nephew?) was Baptised.
In May, My youngest nephew made his First Communion.
In June, my oldest nephew graduated college. And, his parents - my sister and her husband - celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary.
We've also had my "second" cousin's 40th Birthday, my 60th Birthday, and my aunt's 70th Anniversary as a nun.
Anniversaries, future anniversaries, and special occasions. All of them celebrations. These are the one's I choose to remember. I acknowledge the others - the sad ones - but I refuse to be overwhelmed by them.
Maybe it's because I - and I'm sure others in the famiy (especially one cousin) - have a more immediate view of life. Life is special, and every day is important, and special days should be celebrated.
Yes, there will be dark and dangerous times. There is still the unknown. But remember....
The sun came out today.
I'm pretty sure it will tomorrow, too.
The sun came out today.
Literally and, I think, figuratively.
To illustrate:
1.) I was in ShopRite and I noticed a manager singing along with the taped music. "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilson.
2.) I was in WalMart and I noticed a customer singing along with their taped music. "You're Song" by Elton John.
In both cases - not humming, not under their breath...singing. I felt like singing, too. And I know why.
The sun came out today.
And I realized that, although we sometimes mark anniversaries with tears and somber music... anniversaries are for the living.
Personally, there have been a number of anniversaries in my family this year (and I include birthdays in with anniversaries). And there have been "Special Days" - some of these will cause anniversaries of their own and some are just individual milestones that call for celebration. Back in March, I referred to all of these days as swatches in a family's quilt. Special moments - good or bad, black-and-white or colorful - that make up a family's collective memories. That get passed down from generation to generation. Days that are remembered and celebrated.
In February, we had a party for my father-in-law on what would have been his 90th birthday. It had been talked about before he passed away the previous year and it helped as a way to remember him.
In March, my daughter got married. Many anniversaries will follow.
In April, my first great-nephew (grand-nephew?) was Baptised.
In May, My youngest nephew made his First Communion.
In June, my oldest nephew graduated college. And, his parents - my sister and her husband - celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary.
We've also had my "second" cousin's 40th Birthday, my 60th Birthday, and my aunt's 70th Anniversary as a nun.
Anniversaries, future anniversaries, and special occasions. All of them celebrations. These are the one's I choose to remember. I acknowledge the others - the sad ones - but I refuse to be overwhelmed by them.
Maybe it's because I - and I'm sure others in the famiy (especially one cousin) - have a more immediate view of life. Life is special, and every day is important, and special days should be celebrated.
Yes, there will be dark and dangerous times. There is still the unknown. But remember....
The sun came out today.
I'm pretty sure it will tomorrow, too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)