Hey everyone! Sorry for the long absence, we had a Space Shuttle launch that never quite happened, and I ended up just not being able to blog while I was in Florida.
1- I've been reading quite a bit lately. I finished Indulgence in Death, the 33rd installment in JD Robb's In Death series. Honestly? Not so much. I thought it was a fine installment, but I have to say the last couple have underwhelmed me. Which hurts my heart because I love Nora Roberts like nobody's business. I'm hoping the next installment, where Peabody gets to be the primary is going to be a better installment. Because as of now, I'm a bit off the series.
2- I'm almost done with Happy Ever After, the final Bride Quartet series by Nora Roberts. Man, have I enjoyed this series. Yes, it's about wedding planning, which is right in my wheelhouse. But it's also been lovely to have a straight contemporary series from Nora. She writes them so beautifully, and this book is no exception. On top of that, these are seriously some of the most stunning covers ever! I bought this book in eFormat, but will be buying the actual book to finish off my personal copies. They're just too pretty not to own.
3- I also read Christmas in Sunday Harbor, which is the lead off book for Lisa Kleypas's new series set in Sunday Harbor in Washington state. This book is really a novella. I bought it as an eBook, and was perfectly happy to while away the two hour flight with it. But honestly? I can see where readers get heartburn from paying HC prices for this book. It was a very sweet story, but I didn't quite connect with it the way I have with her other contemporaries. Which makes me a bit sad. I'm hoping the next installment will knock my socks off.
4- Probably most of you already know this, but the Space Shuttle launch was pushed to another attempt at the end of November. November 30th to be exact. I'm not sure yet whether I'll be traveling back to Florida for it. I hope so, as it's going to be a night launch, and it will again be completely spectacular. We'll see what happens though.
5- While I was in Florida, I contracted the most bizarre rash. It started on the backs of my ears and spread in a V shape down my back. It was honestly excruciating as I couldn't reach the bulk of it. I finally went to the doctor last Wednesday (after I got off the plane, and before I even went home) and got some meds for it. They're helping, but not as fast as I'd like. Scott spent most of this weekend alternating between spreading a steroid cream on the rash and telling me to quit with the scratching. Reason number #20457 why he's the best man I know.
6- Speaking of Scott, this weekend he reminded me how to play canasta. I'd known at some point in the distant past, and know I played a four player version with my roomie and our friends Donna and Megan, but couldn't really remember all the rules. Turns out I LOVE canasta, and now can't wait to play again. I love card games where a ton of strategy is in play.
7- We're doing our Thanksgiving with Friends again on the 20th. Chris and Beth are hosting, which H. and I think is slightly nuts, given that Beth has a newborn at home. But then again, Beth is literally the most organized person I know, and I'd imagine she'll pull it off better than ever before, even with feeding Timmie.
8- My overall holiday plans are going to be interesting this year. Now that I'm firmly entrenched as part of a couple, Scott and I are juggling meeting all of our family obligations, including both of our parents being in town over Thanksgiving (mine in DC, his in Richmond), and his kids' schedules, and how we're going to handle Christmas. It's really important to both of us that we be together for both holidays, so we'll make it work, but it's going to require a pretty well timed schedule to be sure we make all of our obligations. I'd forgotten how to do this, I've been single so long.
9- Yup, still unbeaten in my Fantasy Football league. Yup, still no idea how that happened.
10 - I watched last week's Private Practice episode yesterday. It
was an incredibly brutal portrayal of one of the main characters being raped and the initial aftermath of the crime. The character herself is not the most likable. But the actress, Kaydee Strickland, who is probably the most gifted actors on the show was stupendous in portraying the bewilderment, horror, stoicism and bravery that survivors of this crime must have. I know a couple of rape survivors: two of the strongest women I've ever met. And what got me was when Charlotte (the character) spoke about how in Lifetime movies you always see the survivor sitting in the shower, crying, and when the depiction of the crime happens, the victim has glazed over eyes while a Lilith Fair song play in the background. But that the reality of it is that it is unthinkable, and hot, and physical and rending and invasive and that there really is no horror to simulate it. I'm not a survivor of rape, but I think that Private Practice did a good thing, depicting the horror of it as vividly as they did. Maybe it will make people think. I know it did me.
On that somber note, tell me what's going on with you? What are you reading? Have you seen Private Practice? What are your holiday plans??
1- I've been reading quite a bit lately. I finished Indulgence in Death, the 33rd installment in JD Robb's In Death series. Honestly? Not so much. I thought it was a fine installment, but I have to say the last couple have underwhelmed me. Which hurts my heart because I love Nora Roberts like nobody's business. I'm hoping the next installment, where Peabody gets to be the primary is going to be a better installment. Because as of now, I'm a bit off the series.
2- I'm almost done with Happy Ever After, the final Bride Quartet series by Nora Roberts. Man, have I enjoyed this series. Yes, it's about wedding planning, which is right in my wheelhouse. But it's also been lovely to have a straight contemporary series from Nora. She writes them so beautifully, and this book is no exception. On top of that, these are seriously some of the most stunning covers ever! I bought this book in eFormat, but will be buying the actual book to finish off my personal copies. They're just too pretty not to own.3- I also read Christmas in Sunday Harbor, which is the lead off book for Lisa Kleypas's new series set in Sunday Harbor in Washington state. This book is really a novella. I bought it as an eBook, and was perfectly happy to while away the two hour flight with it. But honestly? I can see where readers get heartburn from paying HC prices for this book. It was a very sweet story, but I didn't quite connect with it the way I have with her other contemporaries. Which makes me a bit sad. I'm hoping the next installment will knock my socks off.
4- Probably most of you already know this, but the Space Shuttle launch was pushed to another attempt at the end of November. November 30th to be exact. I'm not sure yet whether I'll be traveling back to Florida for it. I hope so, as it's going to be a night launch, and it will again be completely spectacular. We'll see what happens though.
5- While I was in Florida, I contracted the most bizarre rash. It started on the backs of my ears and spread in a V shape down my back. It was honestly excruciating as I couldn't reach the bulk of it. I finally went to the doctor last Wednesday (after I got off the plane, and before I even went home) and got some meds for it. They're helping, but not as fast as I'd like. Scott spent most of this weekend alternating between spreading a steroid cream on the rash and telling me to quit with the scratching. Reason number #20457 why he's the best man I know.
6- Speaking of Scott, this weekend he reminded me how to play canasta. I'd known at some point in the distant past, and know I played a four player version with my roomie and our friends Donna and Megan, but couldn't really remember all the rules. Turns out I LOVE canasta, and now can't wait to play again. I love card games where a ton of strategy is in play.
7- We're doing our Thanksgiving with Friends again on the 20th. Chris and Beth are hosting, which H. and I think is slightly nuts, given that Beth has a newborn at home. But then again, Beth is literally the most organized person I know, and I'd imagine she'll pull it off better than ever before, even with feeding Timmie.
8- My overall holiday plans are going to be interesting this year. Now that I'm firmly entrenched as part of a couple, Scott and I are juggling meeting all of our family obligations, including both of our parents being in town over Thanksgiving (mine in DC, his in Richmond), and his kids' schedules, and how we're going to handle Christmas. It's really important to both of us that we be together for both holidays, so we'll make it work, but it's going to require a pretty well timed schedule to be sure we make all of our obligations. I'd forgotten how to do this, I've been single so long.
9- Yup, still unbeaten in my Fantasy Football league. Yup, still no idea how that happened.
10 - I watched last week's Private Practice episode yesterday. It
was an incredibly brutal portrayal of one of the main characters being raped and the initial aftermath of the crime. The character herself is not the most likable. But the actress, Kaydee Strickland, who is probably the most gifted actors on the show was stupendous in portraying the bewilderment, horror, stoicism and bravery that survivors of this crime must have. I know a couple of rape survivors: two of the strongest women I've ever met. And what got me was when Charlotte (the character) spoke about how in Lifetime movies you always see the survivor sitting in the shower, crying, and when the depiction of the crime happens, the victim has glazed over eyes while a Lilith Fair song play in the background. But that the reality of it is that it is unthinkable, and hot, and physical and rending and invasive and that there really is no horror to simulate it. I'm not a survivor of rape, but I think that Private Practice did a good thing, depicting the horror of it as vividly as they did. Maybe it will make people think. I know it did me.On that somber note, tell me what's going on with you? What are you reading? Have you seen Private Practice? What are your holiday plans??
3 comments:
SEE, THIS is why I love you!! I love cards too. Hearts, Spades, Cribbage...would LOVE to learn how to play canasta!
I gave up on PP about a year ago, but saw the previews for this episode and watched online. I was also moved and also loved the Lifetime comparison and the great acting that help me further 'get' the reasons why people hesitate or refuse to report such monstrosities.
You also reminded me that I truly need to play cards more often!!
YAH, Kati's back! *happy dance*
Umm...can I just say I'm glad it's not me (WRT the In Death series). I have Fantasy in Death to read next month, and I'm trying to get myself worked up over it. I know I'm going to be shot for saying this, but...it's Roarke. He's so...amazing he's almost boring. And it drives me nuts how he ends up involved in Eve's cases. He shouldn't need to be involved all the time. I'd like Eve & Roarke to spend time together just because :)
Cards. I used to play some amazing games of Black Bi*ch at university - huge games. Such fun! And games of 500 at work last year...hmmm.
Private Practice has restarted here yet...maybe in the new year. Sounds like a very raw episode.
Hope you're feeling better soon!
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