For nerds and other Trek fans

First, of all, a warning: the link has bad words in it.

Two of my Internet friends posted this interpretation/adaptation/parody of "The Trouble with Tribbles." I think it's a hoot but then I love classic Trek, cats, and parodies:

LOLtrek

PS: Ken, this is the link I told you about but you were too tired to come and look...

Commentary on formula fantasy...

...and on Redwall in particular.
(go see the cartoon in the nice link...)

Seriously, a lot of fantasy rehashes The Lord of the Rings, or fairy-tale memes, or both (*cough*Harry Potter*cough*). I started reading Redwall (the book) several years ago to see what the fuss is about, and felt I didn't need to finish the book, let alone the series. It's entertaining, interesting, and I can see why many thousands enjoy it. Same for HP. But it doesn't capture my heart, not the way LOTR did and certain other fantasy and science fiction series still does (Just one example: Lois McMaster Bujold's "Vorkosigan Adventures" series).


My criteria for a great (as opposed to good, or enjoyable) story is:

1. The story has substantial original elements (The aforementioned Vorkosigan Adventures are one example. Babylon 5 (yes, the 1990s TV show) is another and if you like manga, Fullmetal Alchemist is a third. If you aren't familiar with at least one of the three you've been sadly deprived (in my opinion)!)

2. I half-believe the characters really exist somewhere. Like the original Star Trek characters, LOTR, The Left Hand of Darkness (by the immortal Ursula K. Le Guin) and the Vorkosigan stories. And that I start talking about them like they're real. Okay, okay, fellow feminists, all those stories have male main characters. But in LHOD only one character is male (my favorite, Estraven, is neither/both gender--read the book to find out, for heaven's sake, it's a brilliant work of genius) and the female characters in the Vorkosigan stories kick major butt in every way--especially Cordelia and my alter ego, Ekaterin.

Stories that fit both categories have my undying love. Stories that fit one of the two get my obsession (such as The God in Flight, soon to be on my Goodreads under "historical fiction").

I welcome commentary, disagreements (politely) and recommendations...

That new thingie on my blog page

That little logo thingie to the left of this entry that says "Goodreads" (it's called a 'widget'--I'm serious!) is a link to my Goodreads page. If you click on it, you can find my reviews of the books I'm reading and have read, and a list of books I plan to read. It includes fiction of various kinds (including manga, of course) and nonfiction. Click and take a look if you like!

Political commentary

In case you haven't seen it yet, here's a notable new reporter's coverage of the Republican Presidential candidates' debate on Saturday night, right from the original webpage (which happens to be my husband's favorite blog community.)

The nicknames are the best part, I think.

Another day at the library...

This is another one of those things they don't teach you in library school that comes in handy.

On Friday, one of our part-timers flushed one of the staff toilets and broke the plastic arm that connects the handle with the "chain" (everything's plastic, really) that lifts the plunger to let the water in and out.

Walking into our maintenance closet, I found a replacement mechanism conveniently in front of my stomach.

So, after some scrutinizing of the mechanism (and, believe it or not, the directions,) I managed to install the piece, gave it a test flush, and proclaimed the results "working, though it may need slight adjustments) in a memo to my boss and our custodian.

I think I may change careers to "plumber." I'd make a lot more money...

Crazy prospective adoptive mom

I've been reading Launching a Baby Adoption (yes, I'm reading about a zillion adopting books)--the part about decorating a nursery while waiting for a child, which set me searching for decorating themes I like. So, I was looking for Totoro-themed stuff and found Totoro knife-spoon-and-chopsticks set, a drinking cup, and of course lots of toys!

Don't even think of telling me you don't know who/what Totoro is. Just go to your local public library or video store and rent yourself My Neighbor Totoro. It's in the kids' section.

[added morning of 1/3/07]
Then I went and got a W&M Sears baby book on attachment parenting (some friends had highly recommended the Sears books as baby-care references) and just about had tears in my eyes picking up my first baby care book. And then while I was reading, a woman came up to the desk with a baby carrier asking if we had Microsoft. I helped her with the computer and she took the cover off the carrier (it was freezing outside!) to reveal her 7 week old son, who blinked blearily and opened his eyes as if to say "where the heck am I?" I said, "Hello! You're in the library for your first time!"

I am too sentimental for words.

Happy New Year, everyone!

First off, we're ploughing through our homestudy and paperwork for the adoption process. For those of you who heard about the possible birthmom we talked to in mid-December, no we still haven't heard from her and have given up. Meantime, we're preparing for the child we're meant to have in our family, whoever he or she will be!

Meantime, I've had lots of time with kids: Babies in Bloom 2 weeks ago at work; then a horde of husband's cousins' kids at Ed and Bonnie's holiday party. One of my favorite parts was Christmas carol singing with sorta-uncle-in-law Joe playing piano, cousin Eric playing trombone, and kids on rhythm instruments. Then, teenagers (eep!) with our anime club holding a computer-game day (2 hours actually, enough time to try and keep adolescents sorta reined in though they were also entertaining as all get-out). I got to see a Wii in action! No, I don't want one but I do want to learn Guitar Hero, or I would if I already didn't have a zillion other hobbies.

Then last Sunday/Firstday I did Nursery Care with five preschoolers. The new little guy--Aidan, age 4 1/2--wanted to play "housekeeping" so we made a play cake, were joined by another boy (awesome!) and we "made" muffins, hot dog with waffle (no plastic hot dog rolls in our pantry), hot chocolate and other goodies. Afterward Aidan wouldn't leave me alone. Fortunately his parents were charmed rather than alarmed (we were right by them the whole time), and my husband introduced them to our library and some basics of Quakerism (he's on the Library committee) while Aidan stuck to me like glue, literally.

No wonder everyone tells me I'd make a good mom!

Then Christmas eve at Aunt Sheila and Uncle Tony's with my family and grown-up "kids" to hear about Megan's stories of Spain, Chelsea's job (she supervises 9 times as many people as I do--amazing!), and a bit about Christine's life too. And lots of good wishes about our adoption plans. We also got to know Sarah (Dave's girlfriend) better, and eat the luscious rum cake they made! And to pet Kyra, who's finally stopped growling at Dad every time she sees him.


Now for New Year's Eve: After work yesterday (uneventful except for the seemingly-weekly stuffed-up toilet) we went to Szechuan Cafe for delicious Chinese steamed dumplings and two big plates of maki rolls. Then home to read, drink luscious maple liqueur (thanks to Karen and Ben--friends of theirs just started selling this creation of theirs, sadly in Vermont only), and go to sleep early. Hey, we both have colds, and we may as well sleep while we still can pre-baby!

Oh, speaking of Chinese dumplings, I read a great book--contemporary mainstream fiction, but it takes place in China so it's not completely mundane (for non-science fiction fans, that's what we call anything related to the "normal" world we usually eschew)--The Last Chinese Chef. Highly recommended if you love Chinese food, and culture as well as contemporary East meets West and oh, a touch of romance.