Spring Is... hmph. Still a Long Way Off.

Kitty pic! Just because.

It seems like there just isn't much to report these days. I saw the sun last week. And some of my spring bulbs tried to come up. Unfortunately, after a brief run of days in the 50 degree range, we are back to brrr. My nose is cold. My feet are cold. My fingers are cold. And in an effort to save money, my employer has turned the thermostat down to 68 degrees. They won't allow space heaters, but I wonder if they'd let me stash a cat under my desk...

The Mr. has been very industrious in the attic of late. He tore out and rebuilt from scratch a built-in bookcase along the front wall. I wonder if he'll rent me some shelf space for my overflow? Why can I never find enough shelves for my books?

And, we've discovered a couple of new favorite BBC series. Midsomer Murder and the Last Detective. Both have sufficient humor and cozy quality to offset the contemporary crime drama curse.

That's me for now. Slow news day.

Nose to the Grindstone

Thanks so much for all of your kind wishes and congratulations!

Everyone keeps asking, "How's the new job?" and after only two weeks, I'm not entirely sure how to respond. It's been a novel experience to say the least. I hesitate to say "I love it!", but there's really nothing to complain about. It's neither glamorous nor particularly thrilling, but how many people can honestly say those things about their 9-5?

I'm learning new stuff every day and THAT makes me happy. I can see paths of personal advancement branching out from where I stand, and THAT is reassuring. The small things I do on a daily basis help bring funds to the school, which improves the educational opportunities for our students, which ultimately improves their lives (and, one hopes, the lives they touch).

Idealistic, I know, and that the halo effect will probably wear off. But for the first time in my memory, I don't find myself wishing I didn't have to go to work. Like I said, novel.

Recommended Reading

You are already reading the Twilight series, right? When you finish those...

Here are my favorites (generally listed in the order in which they should be read):

ALL TIME TOP THREE or four
Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
Lamb - Christopher Moore
Snowcrash - Neal Stephenson
Burning Chrome - William Gibson

MORE Terry Pratchett:

Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith

Discworld Series, Witches sub-series

ALSO - rent the movies Hogfather & Color of Magic

MORE Christopher Moore:
Fool
Bloodsucking Fiends, You Suck, Dirty Job
Island of the Sequined Love Nun, Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, Stupidest Angel

MORE Neil Gaiman:

the Graveyard Book (recent Newbery winner)

Anansi Boys

BEST SERIES YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF:
Extraordinary & Unusual Adventures of Horatio Lyle (1st in series) - Webb

IF YOU LIKED HARRY POTTER, TRY THESE:

Mysterious Benedict Society - Stewart
Mysterious Benedict Society & the Perilous Journey - Stewart
Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones
Castle in the Air - Diana Wynne Jones
Percy Jackson & the Olympians (series begins with the Lightning Thief) - Riordan
Frog Princess - E.D. Baker (first in a series)

MORE Diana Wynne Jones:
Chrestomanci series
Dalemark Quartet

IF YOU LIKE MYSTERIES (be sure to read in order):
Amelia Peabody series - Elizabeth Peters
Lord Peter Wimsey series - Dorothy Sayers
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave - Stephanie Barron (Jane Austen mysteries)

IF YOU'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGE:
Name of the Rose (be sure to invest in the companion as well, it's a HUGE help) - Umberto Eco
Possession - A.S. Byatt (forget the movie)

HONORABLE, BUT UNCOMFORTABLE MENTIONS:
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Maguire
Handmaid's Tale - Atwood
Elegance - Tessaro

Enjoy!