43 to go
I finished books six and seven this week in my 50-book challenge. It was made a little easier by the fact if I moved much I couldn't breathe. Luckily, reading is activity that doesn't require movement.
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett was thoroughly enjoyable brain candy. Much like one of Buffett's songs, it was pure entertainment with lots of sailing, fishing, flying and a host of unique characters. I've always liked Buffet. My mother had a copy of "Living and Dying in 3/4 time" on 8-track that had a great song about getting drunk with a bear. It seems like every pub band I saw in the '80s knew how to cover "Why don't we get drunk." And I always remember the story of the pirate radio station off the coast of Florida that played "Son of a Son of a Sailor" over and over. Buffett's books are much like his songs and I consider that a good thing.
State of Fear by Michael Crichton was a fast read with a predictable ending, but I enjoyed it. I read a review that said it shows Crichton's right-wing philosophy. The story is critical of environmental groups. But I didn't see it as an agenda. The message to me was even a noble cause can go bad when you want to win at all costs.
Next up: Conviction by Richard North Patterson.

Out of the closet -- musically speaking

Sid at Nude Highway Driving revealed his closet bands today. After seeing we share an affinity for Ratt and Enya, I figured it was safe to reveal my closet bands. And before you mock me, check out your own musical closet. You better not be hiding any Celine Dion in there.

1. Meat Loaf -- My love of Mr. Loaf came early, thanks to my mom's copy of Bat out of Hell on vinyl. I can and will still belt out "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" like I have musical ability. Come on, he starred in "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and that's kinda cool. And "Two out of Three Ain't Bad" still reminds me of late nights at my college paper, which leads me to no. 2.

2. Tone Loc -- 'Fess up "Funky Cold Medina" can still make you smile. And his version of "Wild Thing," getta outta here. I can't be the only one.

3. Cinderella -- I admit that in the '80s I liked hair bands and heavy metal. (see above concerning Ratt). I'm also a sucker for the power ballad -- and if have to explain that term, you need to watch back-to-back episodes of VH1's I Love the 80s asap. Cinderella had a great one, "Don't Know What You Got." I saw them in concert. Tom Keifer and a grand piano came down from the ceiling for that song, it was a great moment. I'm not afraid to admit I like Poison, Skid Row and Whitesnake too.

4. Garth Brooks -- Classic country like Johnny Cash is cool. Progressive country like the Drive by Truckers is cool. Garth Brooks is not cool, but I like him anyway. Throw Trisha Yearwood and him together on a love song and I'll buy the album.

5. Guns N' Roses -- Axl acts like a jerk these days, but I still like those early records. "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Patience" blinds me to the cheese factor and the attitude.

I'm sure there are many other, but these are my top 5. I also like musical soundtracks, Kid Rock and Leonard Cohen, so there. And there's plenty of cool stuff in my collection, but I'll save that list for another day.

Welcome to the jungle ... er ... blogosphere, dear
My husband has made a foray into the blogging world, Ken's Way of the World. Like me, he is opinionated but not in the same way. Oh btw, he won't let me correct his spelling or temper his words with my version of reason. He does have many other endearing qualities, however.

45 to go
Books four and five in my 50-book challenge were good. But not as good as I expected if that makes any sense at all.
Blink : The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell gives insight into the thought process. It made me think of the experience of changing my first response to a question on a test to another answer that was wrong. The quick, first response is the right one for me much of the time. This book was full of anecdotal instances of the same type of experience. I really expected some insight into changing how I think. It was an interesting read, but I wanted more.
The Last Juror by John Grisham was a page turner until the last chapter where the loose ends were wrapped up too tidy and quickly. I like Grisham. He's one of my favorite choices for escapist brain candy. I expect a little more suspense at the end from him. I did like the small-town newspaper setting and thought the characters were interesting. Maybe that's why I was a little annoyed by the wrap-up.
Next up: A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffet

47 to go
Book three in my 50-book challenge went down quickly. Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld wasn't the only reason I didn't get anything productive done on my days off, but it was the major one. I loved this novel. It brought to mind the Judy Blume books I devoured in my pre-teen and early teen days in good way. A well-written coming-of-age book that reminded me of certain college relationship. Next up: Blink: The Art of Thinking Without Thinking.

48 to go
I finished book two of my 50-book challenge last night: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. To be honest, I expected to not like this book. Too much hype. While I still don't understand all the hoopla, (It's fiction, people. Quit looking for the tomb.) I really enjoyed it. A little religion, a little ritual, a little intrigue. All in all a good read. I liked it well enough to put Brown's new book Deception Point on my library hold list. Currently reading: Prep by Curtis Sittenfield

50-book challenge
Once again, I'm a bad blogger. I haven't kept up with this the way I intended in the beginning. So to shake things up a bit, I've decided to take the 50-book challenge. I first read about it at www.adventurejournalist.com/notebook, which by the way is a journal I highly recommend. Yes, I know it's the middle of April and I should have started in January. But for someone who consider herself an avid reader, I haven't been doing much of that either. I have eclectic tastes. So you can expect nonfiction, fiction, brain candy and heavy-duty, whatever catches my attention.

49 to go: The first book to cross of my list is A Personal History by Katharine Graham.
I guess the main reason I wanted to read this was Woodward, Bernstein and Watergate. While that part was great, I was impressed with the honest approach Graham takes to her life. From her childhood to her father's purchase of the Washington Post to her early years as a journalist to raising her children to her husband's suicide to her taking the lead at the Post, it's all brutally candid. The woman was definitely not afraid of hard work despite her wealthy background and she surrounded herself with an interesting cast of characters including Truman Capote and presidents from FDR to George H. Bush. If you like biographies, strong women and newspapers, give this one a read. Next up: The Da Vinci Code

Farewell to the original gonzo journalist.
Author Hunter S. Thompson Kills Himself I wasn't a huge fan, but I liked his style. In this Salon article, he said he's regrets were minor and really I think that's all anyone can ask for in life.

Shaken, not stirred

A 10,000 drink I do love a good martini

Any blogger who mentions Kolchak:The Night Stalker and Wiseguy in the same post has gotta be good.

Good idea

As someone who has made a few (OK, maybe many) ill-advised calls while drinking a few (OK, maybe many) vodka martinis, I think it maybe a good idea for the phone company avert potential disasters. Who you gonna call?

Maybe it's time
to hit the gym when Amazon recommends a Philips HeartStart Home Automated External Defibrillator. I mean I know I've been slacking on the health front, but ...

It's a mad, mad world
Are You Kidding Me? I don't know which disturbs me more -- that people have created a peep show composed of garden gnomes or that someone is stealing them.

In the who would have thought it department

David Lee Roth a NYC Paramedic Seems Diamond Dave has given up singing with "California Girls" to saving Bronx women.

You say you want a revolution

During my morning blogroll, I was amazed at the number of bloggers who said, "Get out and vote." But far too many meant to add "for my candidate" or I will shred you with my rapier wit. On the other hand, I read some really good stuff from both sides of the fence like The Bleat on teaching his child about respect for the office and Tequila Mockingbird on why she voted for Kerry.

The story of this election may very well be voter turnout. Maybe not enough in this category or that category, but people got off their butts and voted. Imagine that democracy in action.

Do it
As my old political science professor used to say, "Preserve your right to bitch." Go vote.

Help ... Can't stop

There is a hobby rapidly spinning out of control at my house. It started with a little 10 gallon fish tank. I bought it to give me peace after stressful days. I bought the cheap setup at Wal-Mart and away we went. A frog, a few tetras, a little catfish and 2 red Dwarf Gouramis found a home in my little tank.

And it did give me peace. All was working well ... a little too well.

My husband decided he needed some peace as well. But his fish of choice lovingly refered to as the "man-eaters," would not go in my community tank. So we bought a 29 gallon. Everything was fine until 2 of the man-eaters decided to pair up and make little man-eaters. This meant the rest of the man-eaters were no longer allowed in 90% of the tank, thanks to vicious pair hearding everyone away from their brood.

Enter a 2nd 10 gallon tank for the three evicted from the family tank.

Not to be outdone by my husband's 2 tanks. I find a good used 55 gallon tank and it moves into our living room. It was quickly populated with kissing gouramis, catfish, tetras, dwarf rainbows, red-tail sharks, snails and ghost shrimp.

By this time, I've been spending far too much time researching fish on the Internet. And that's how I discovered nano-reefs -- a small way to test the saltwaters as it were. Enter a 12 gallon show aquarium with live rock for the reef, a couple of turbo snails, a blood shrimp and a clownfish (I can't turn down the 7-year-old who's seen Nemo too many times.)

At that point 2 more of the man-eaters have decided to settle down and the single girl is no longer welcome which is where our sixth aquarium comes in.

"Hello, Aquariums Anonymous..."

Tour de Lance

I know it may seem strange for fat woman to be a bicycling fan, but I am. I have a red, white and blue Trek that is way out of my league. I love watching Lance. I adore the idea of the brash Texan taking the beloved Tour away from the French for a sixth time. But I must admit I am getting sick of one thing this race -- Sheryl Crow. I think I've seen more of her this week than I saw of Lance's former wife in the 5 years they were married. Attention fawning sportscasters: She's a singer, not a bicycling expert.

If I never see another beheading video or photo, it will be okay with me. In my job I see some of the worst things that human beings do to each other, but I never thought I would see the results of 2 decapitations.

Jury duty

On the back of my notice for jury duty this week was this exemption: Enrolled in a public of private of secondary schools.

My first thought was "Didn't anyone proof this?" My second thought was "I hate jury duty."

I didn't get picked. But I'm sure it would have been interesting hearing the case of "The neverending car alarm." Key the People's Court music.