Is it just me, or does it seem that virtually everyone is under duress? Most people we know are facing minor (and in some cases major) crises at this time. People can't sell their house, job uncertainties, family, finance, health issues, the list goes on and on. Ellice and I have been squabbling of late, but we've worked things out. We've prayerfully gone to God to make our relationship better and we are better off for it. Other than the bickering, this week has been pretty full with the usual stuff.
We lost our first Volleyball game this week, 2-1. I wish I could have played, but my injury from this summer is still nagging me. Believe me, I'd play if I was able. Remember I was in a wheelchair about two months ago and I'm no spring chicken.
Our car wouldn't start two times this week. Once we thought was a fluke but today we determined that the two year old car has a bum battery. Let's hope that was the only poorly made item on the Kia--stay tuned for updates. Car works fine now.
UK won its fourth game tonight against in-state rival (and my alma mater) WKU, 41-3. Kentucky holds the fourth longest active streak of non-conference victories in the nation. Something to definitely be proud of in the age of upsets. Several top teams have been inexplicably defeated early in the year this year. Early casualties of the upset bug include USC, Georgia, Maryland and I think Florida lost one already. Next week we face a ranked Alabama team at their place--probably going to be our first loss given all our injuries thus far this season.
The Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters
Another installment (4th) in the Amelia Peabody series which were highly recommended by Ellice, continues her family's adventures in solving murder mysterious and foiling criminal conspiracies in early 20th century Egypt. If you are unfamiliar with these works, imagine Frasier Crane as a woman solving mysteries in a Hercule Poirot vein with the backdrop of being archaeologists. These stories are character driven with a well-supported plot. Little Ramses, the son of Amelia and Emerson, is growing ever more precocious, and the 'Master Criminal' that has been hinted at through the series finally makes an appearance. The language is sporadically thick (and a little haughty), but doesn't interfere with the flow of the story. An enjoyable entry in the series. **1/2
Star Trek: The Return by William Shatner
You read correctly--Shatner. Guess who comes back after dying on Veridian III in the Star Trek Generations movie? Well, Shatner wrote the book, so Kirk did in fact come back from the dead. While a bit of a stretch, this one is fun and with an interesting twist; Kirk plays the villain out to get Picard and his friends. It seems some Romulan and Borg collaborate to get rid of the Federation once and for all, and use a reanimated Captain Kirk to infiltrate and do the job. This one has a smattering of about everything from the original Enterprise crew, to Next Generation and Deep Space 9 to fill the pages. It was neat to have those characters interacting. Nice twists in the story (which I feel I should not give away), some unexpected cameos, and a satisfying ending make this a good one to get. ***
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Money changes everything
Well the Lord provided us with our first solid teacher's salary paycheck, and while we're not out of the woods, we can at least see the path that leads out. We are now on a budget which we have painstakingly created. There will be some hard choices ahead, but with the Lord's help, we'll get where he wants us to be.
Ellice is doing well in her job; I'm okay in mine. My attitude is much improved and usually go through each day with a fairly light disposition. PT is still daunting, and I've had a brief bout of illness, but other than that, we're muddling through.
UK narrowly escaped defeat this past weekend; Kentucky was up 20-14 and our opponent heaved a desperation pass as time expired 60+ yards downfield. The ball bounced around and dropped right into a receivers hands. Shades of the LSU last second miracle play some years ago came to mind, but a defensive back named McAtee made a game-saving tackle on the 1-yard line. Whew! Kentucky has started 3-0 and has a bye this week, followed by my alma mater WKU the next Saturday.
Dark Alchemy by Sarah Lovett
I found this book on a bargain table at Walmart, having never heard of the author nor the title character, Dr. Sylvia Strange. This is in the middle of a series (I believe) but reading this as a stand alone isn't a big deal. Dr. Strange is an expert in investigating serial poisoners and the novel reads much like a Kathy Reichs's Bones or the CSI series. The novel was closer to an episode of Bones than a CSI, so followers of that show would most certainly enjoy a Strange novel. I find it draggy at the beginning, which sometimes happens with unfamiliar characters, but about halfway through the book, it transformed into a real page-turner. I recommend this book to those who like a good criminal melodrama. **1/2
Ellice is doing well in her job; I'm okay in mine. My attitude is much improved and usually go through each day with a fairly light disposition. PT is still daunting, and I've had a brief bout of illness, but other than that, we're muddling through.
UK narrowly escaped defeat this past weekend; Kentucky was up 20-14 and our opponent heaved a desperation pass as time expired 60+ yards downfield. The ball bounced around and dropped right into a receivers hands. Shades of the LSU last second miracle play some years ago came to mind, but a defensive back named McAtee made a game-saving tackle on the 1-yard line. Whew! Kentucky has started 3-0 and has a bye this week, followed by my alma mater WKU the next Saturday.
Dark Alchemy by Sarah Lovett
I found this book on a bargain table at Walmart, having never heard of the author nor the title character, Dr. Sylvia Strange. This is in the middle of a series (I believe) but reading this as a stand alone isn't a big deal. Dr. Strange is an expert in investigating serial poisoners and the novel reads much like a Kathy Reichs's Bones or the CSI series. The novel was closer to an episode of Bones than a CSI, so followers of that show would most certainly enjoy a Strange novel. I find it draggy at the beginning, which sometimes happens with unfamiliar characters, but about halfway through the book, it transformed into a real page-turner. I recommend this book to those who like a good criminal melodrama. **1/2
Sunday, September 07, 2008
The best laid plans
Well, I had an interview this week at a school in Lexington. I don't think anything is going to come of it, but hey, I looked good enough to consider at any rate. I'm content to be where God wants me, and if he wants me to stay where I am, I'll do my best there.
UK (football) had a pair of crushing victories the last two weekends, one expected, the other a surprise. There defense is very good, holding the two opponents to a measley 5 points combined. UK defeated archrival Louisville 27-2 and Norfolk St 38-3. Pretty impressive defense. The offense is still looking for itself (14 of the 27 against Louisville were defensive touchdowns, and another forced turnover gave UK an easy opportunity for another), but the defense seems up to the task of keeping us afloat in the meantime. Our landlord gave us tickets to the Norfolk St game, and we had a lot of fun there.
The classes I've had the last two semesters have been heavy on the workload and I haven't read as much as years past. Ellice and I keep track of our books read and have for as long as we have been together. She's done very well this year--I have not. I've only read 8 books this year, but since I have no classes this semester, I've developed an agressive reading plan. My goal is 30 by year's end. My average is about 33 a year (Ellice usually reads about the same, but her page count is much larger). She already has 30 this year, if that gives you any idea where we are.
Along with the reading plan, which is going quite well so far, I've developed a plan for my writing. Unfortunately, with the hectic pace of our lives which includes PT twice a week, I haven't had time for much in this area. But I am putting forth the effort. Once PT is over and volleyball season begins, I hope the Mrs. and I can develop a workout program as well.
The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill
A cute story about a pair of ingenious and courageous kids who seize opportunity and turn their ideas into a booming business. This kid's story is a great approachable way to introduce the idea of entrepreneurship. Aside from that, it's a fun story. ***
UK (football) had a pair of crushing victories the last two weekends, one expected, the other a surprise. There defense is very good, holding the two opponents to a measley 5 points combined. UK defeated archrival Louisville 27-2 and Norfolk St 38-3. Pretty impressive defense. The offense is still looking for itself (14 of the 27 against Louisville were defensive touchdowns, and another forced turnover gave UK an easy opportunity for another), but the defense seems up to the task of keeping us afloat in the meantime. Our landlord gave us tickets to the Norfolk St game, and we had a lot of fun there.
The classes I've had the last two semesters have been heavy on the workload and I haven't read as much as years past. Ellice and I keep track of our books read and have for as long as we have been together. She's done very well this year--I have not. I've only read 8 books this year, but since I have no classes this semester, I've developed an agressive reading plan. My goal is 30 by year's end. My average is about 33 a year (Ellice usually reads about the same, but her page count is much larger). She already has 30 this year, if that gives you any idea where we are.
Along with the reading plan, which is going quite well so far, I've developed a plan for my writing. Unfortunately, with the hectic pace of our lives which includes PT twice a week, I haven't had time for much in this area. But I am putting forth the effort. Once PT is over and volleyball season begins, I hope the Mrs. and I can develop a workout program as well.
The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill
A cute story about a pair of ingenious and courageous kids who seize opportunity and turn their ideas into a booming business. This kid's story is a great approachable way to introduce the idea of entrepreneurship. Aside from that, it's a fun story. ***
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