Today is the seventh anniversary of the worst attack on American soil.   I feel like I should be saying something profound,  but others have done it better.   carriejones ,  for one,  has a profound story today.

I usually read a book about 9/11 this time every year,  in remembrance.   I just finished 102 Minutes (the length of time between the north tower ( Read more... )

What a difference a week makes.   After several months without work,  offers are now coming in.

First of all,  I was thankful that I heard the answering machine at 6:55 a.m. on Tuesday.   I staggered out of bed to discover that a school for the severely disabled had a large staff absentee crisis (11 aides and 2 teachers couldn't make it to work).   ( Read more... )

Amazing how fast this summer is going by.   I did do some fun things,  so I can't complain.   Well,  I can always complain,  but not about being bored.

Still,  my life seems to be a series of random lists these days.   *Sigh*

1)  Welcome to the world,  Violet!   Another cousin's baby (that's four kids from three cousins in two years),  born on ( Read more... )

It seems like a lot of us in the LJ neighborhood can use some cheering up this week.    So I'll make a list of some funny things I've seen or heard recently ( Read more... )

I went to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach today (two relatives are on vacation this week,  so I joined them).   I hadn't been there in quite a while,  so it was nice.   But no matter when I go,  it's crowded.   Even on a summer weekday morning.   There were school groups,  YMCA groups,  summer camp groups,  etc.   Kids everywhere ( Read more... )

1)   According to the Chinese,  8/8/08 is supposed to be a lucky day.   I'm still waiting ( Read more... )

Okay,  so I'm trying to forget that another birthday is looming (end of this week).   My sister says age is just a number.   Yes,  younger sister.   But life has been finding ways to remind me that time is marching on.

1)  Sunday,  a friend invited me to a baseball game.   Angels vs. Red Sox.   Although I've been a baseball fan most of my life,  I' ( Read more... )

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I made a list of my ALA loot.   Not to make anyone jealous,  but so you can see what you have to look forward to (lots of sequels,  for one thing):

YA:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Melting Stones by Tamora Pierce
The Diamond of Darkhold (4th Book of Ember) by Joanne DuPrau
The Good Neighbors (graphic novel) by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh
Genius ( Read more... )

Thanks to ALA,  I'll be busy reading for a while.   The final count (two-day total):  48 ARCs,  plus two extra copies!   That averages out to about 16 books per tote bag.   No wonder my body is aching.

Really,  I didn't mean to be greedy.   I even passed on some ARCs that weren't my cup of tea.   But when you're in an all-you-can-eat buffet line,  ( Read more... )