Jul 16th, 2012
Life Update
Wishing: For a sundial like this one to put in my yard.
Laughing: About this video on YouTube, which features one joke from every MST3K episode. My recent discovery of this is well-timed: just a few weeks ago I met Joel at an MST3K event and got to shake his hand.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwyaUXuZncw[/youtube]
Reflecting: On the hidden costs of chocolate.
Being delighted: 
By the fact that not only was my daughter thrilled with the new socks I just finished knitting for her, but she was so pleased that she wore them right away. Even though it was 95 degrees outside. Now that’s gratifying!
Watching: Or trying to watch, at least, My Dinner with Andre. It’s famous and there are a gazillion cultural references to it, so I figured I ought to (finally!) watch the thing. I got about forty-five minutes into it and had to turn it off. I recognize that it was innovative for its time, and the premise could still make for a good movie today. But the conversation itself was so mind-numbingly dull that I just couldn’t bear it.
Reading: Nation, by Terry Pratchett. It took me a little while to get into this book–most likely because my subconscious kept expecting Discworld fare–but once that happened I was hooked. The premise is somewhat grim, and the overall tone is decidedly lacking in the humor of his other works. But his usual themes are present: questions about religion and rationality, criticisms of social class, clever wordsmithery.
I hate the ending, though. Long before it arrived its inevitability was apparent, and I found myself reading the last chapters while hoping Pratchett would enable the protagonists find a way to escape the destinies that seem to be laid out before them. No such luck, I’m afraid. The ending is bittersweet and leaves me feeling punched in the gut…but honestly, I can’t imagine how else the book could have ended without ruining it. So for all that I do hate the ending, at the same time I think it’s appropriate.
3 Responses to “Life Update”
Regaring the hidden costs of chocolate, are you familiar with Askinosie Chocolate? (www.askinosie.com) The owner has tried to do some good things with the cacao farmers that are a bit like Fair Trade as well as with the local community on the production side. Unfortunately, I can’t afford 8 dollar chocolate bars on a regular basis. :(
That does sound like nice chocolate! Like you, though, I find the price tag a bit high for my budget, unfortunately.
Marsha recently posted..Life Update
Love the sundial. Am SO JEALOUS that you met Joel!!!!! And am so pleased that your daughter is so enamored of her new socks!! :)