Throwaway Lines

"He was using his Apple to design a kind of music-box-cum-guitar that would let its "player" pretend to be playing at virtuoso level.  So far it wasn't a marketable commodity, but you could see the promise." 

-T. Disch, The M.D., 1991

Nochnii Dozor

Or however you'd transliterate.  I need to make more progress in reading Russian because I found a copy of "Night Watch" in the original at the library sale for 75 cents.  I recognized the light sabery Highlanderish cover and "vampiri" reference in the back cover blurb as some fantasy novel, but had to get a dictionary to figure out it was the best selling trilogy.  Usually they have crappy old books in that section, but occasionally things like Xarri Potter or Bridget Djones Diary.

Anyway, I keep not being able to get far in The M.D. by Thomas Disch.  I got waylaid by Beauty Queens, which a friend lent me and later turned up on the Tiptree recommended list.  Surprisingly funny.  I thought the humor would get stale like in most rip-roaring satires, but it kept fresh.  Then I took out some books on prison histories, and a book on Riker's kept being more interesting to pick up. 

And then I picked up Zipper Mouth, a lesbian novel debut finalist for the Lambda Awards.  But I am letting the Dog Trainer read it first, in order to focus on The M.D.  It's not that The M.D. hasn't started well, it's just that I'm in the periodic distracted mode that comes with the change of seasons and being busy at work.  And it's a daunting length compared to his other novels.  I don't really have time for 400 pages I can't skim...

But anyway.  The running is going good, now that it's been unseasonably warm, until today.  I am shooting for an under 60-minute 10k at the end of April.  Knock wood.  For me, that slow pace would be a PR...  Progress is slow.  But lately it's been fun.  Nice to not wear five layers.  

I am making slow progress with getting back into writing.  I still feel like it's mostly throat clearing, but that's a necessary stage.  Trying to clear out more time, but work remains a demanding beast.  I'm still not good enough to not have to expend all my mental energy there... 

Oh well.  The future of writing for right now does seem to be day jobs or being a trophy wife or husband.  So I can't complain at all.  Just need to become ever more organized and disciplined.  I refuse to cede the running/exercising time, because it keeps me sane and energized, so that's pretty much the solution.  Anyway, blah blah blah.  Time to watch the Battle Kittens fight over the sunny spot of floor...

Readings, books, races

It's spring.  Like fall, spring in Minnesota means a brief frenzy of social activity.  And then the usual lull, but with dogs panting.  It's way, way early this year.  And winter hardly bothered.  But the madness is on.

I went to a bunch of readings, friend Catherine Lundoff launching her menopausal werewolf novel Silver Moon, and a lesbian writer thing at the Quatrefoil Library.  St Patty's with the pre-birthday runners.  Still recovering from my 10 mile.  Ran with friends Jake and Cara Sunday morning while the visiting grandparents provided them the rare opportunity to run together.

I ran 7 this weekend, and it was supposed to feel easy in comparison, but it did not.  Thus I will wait a bit longer to up the ante to a half marathon.  My feet and knees need more time to adjust.

I am reading too many books at once too.  The M.D. has been slow starting, mostly because I started it before finishing Through a Brazen Mirror by Delia Sherman.  The latter slips down smoothly, classic kings and sorcerors fantasy with cross-dressing.

I also went to a CLE showing of a film "Crime After Crime" about the CA in-justice system.  More on that later.  Back to work!

More on the movie here. 

Faux-Irish eyes are swimming

Sipping Powers at the Dubliner at 12:45 pm.  Spent the morning spectating and taking pictures at the 5k around Lake Como (St. Paul). 

The old...er lady came in just under 25 minutes.   Not bad for a recovery run... The friend who was running her first and allegedly last race beat 40 min days before turning 40.  (She's a baby...)

Anyway, the party is already in full swing.  And the carding.  Ha.  Some young'uns just got turned away.

Our local 2 Gingers whiskey just settled with Jameson's in time for the holiday, so the Two Gingers cocktails should be flowing.  Tasty stuff but sweet.

These are random people, for the flavor...

The great thaw

After the thaws and refreezings.

Ran a 10 mile race around Lakes Harriet and Calhoun.  Did it faster than I thought I would, though it hurt somewhat by the end.  I guess the Galloway run/walk method worked for me.  I don't feel totally wrecked.  Mostly my feet feel chafed.  I haven't quite found the right shoe fit yet...

Now I have a nifty green sweatshirt with Celtic knots on it just in time for next weekend.  This weekend is Marscon. On my way home from work last night I saw a guy lightrailing it with his beat-up old Star Wars gaming book, likely headed there.  I'm tempted to wear my DS9 shirt, seems somwhat ironic, since no one dresses Trek unless it's full Klingon forehead makeup these days.  Dunno, will have to see how well I can walk...

Funding sources

Smack dab on p. 8 of Newsweek's big issue on women leaders, a five page ad for a male 'vigor' enhancement drug.  Not so androgynous, either.  Ah, but then they also cover Ahnold and DSK.  Why I read Bitch magazine instead.

Foodie moment

Mmm.  This was good with tofu, fried crispy with a bit of drizzled sauce before adding to the rest:   Japchae.  The noodles are silky and very absorbent, fun to work with.  I had eaten them but not cooked with them before.  Missing out.

Future rhubarb raspberry sorbet is on the stove.  My freezer is almost ready for summer.  Or spring, since rhubarb is going to come early with all this warm weather.