I've been reading up a storm, and mostly away from home ... so blogging has been difficult. Someone recommended
A Little Ray of Sunshine by Lani Diane Rich, which they called a smart, funny
chick-litty type of book. I haven't checked it out yet. Chick Lit usually lets me down, but I've been told this one won't.
I've been reading a huge mix of things and am enjoying re-reading
The Wind in the Willows which is marvelous.
Reading labels. This one was interesting, but American Absinthe? Really?
Interesting article on cruelty. It reminds me of a short story I read where this kind nurse (who imagines she has monumental healing and mystical powers) often feels depleted after being so wonderful, and to regain some energy (or her edge) does little cruel things to people that she usually fawns over. It gave her a little kick, like a sip of champagne to cause a little pain. I wish I could find the short story anthology it was in. It was a weird story, and twisted.
I've been reading up a storm, and mostly away from home ... so blogging has been difficult. Someone recommended A Little Ray of Sunshine by Lani Diane Rich, which they called a smart, funny chick-litty type of book. I haven't checked it out yet. Chick Lit usually lets me down, but I've been told this one won't.
I've been reading a huge mix of things and am enjoying re-reading The Wind in the Willows which is marvelous. 
Reading labels. This one was interesting, but American Absinthe? Really? 
Interesting article on cruelty. It reminds me of a short story I read where this kind nurse (who imagines she has monumental healing and mystical powers) often feels depleted after being so wonderful, and to regain some energy (or her edge) does little cruel things to people that she usually fawns over. It gave her a little kick, like a sip of champagne to cause a little pain. I wish I could find the short story anthology it was in. It was a weird story, and twisted.
11 comments:
Check out the ingredients in that Absinthe- not sure I would want to consume wormwood.
Good to see you back!
I'm telling you--The Thin Place. Even the dogs' thoughts are rendered.
Junot Diaz is a hoot in person, by the way.
Absinthe is making a comeback, as it is produced in a safer way these days. I like it because it tastes a bit like black licorice...yum.
That Walking in Britain book is giving me ideas . . .
Chick-Lit - maybe it's the label that turns me off? It makes the writing sound vapid. Oh you know, chicks trying to do lit. Maybe there's really interesting material there if I forget about the label? Let us know what you think of this one.
The Wind in the Willows - just typing out the name makes me happy. I can see the illustrations. An all-time fave.
Tom is right - they've found that the real problem with absinthe was the way it was prepared and the quantity of wormwood used (+, I suppose, if you drank it from dawn to dawn or not.) That label isn't terribly attractive though. Reminds me of St. George Sherry which was sold by the gallon up in Canada - bleh.
The research on evil - true, true, true. Hardwired in the system. Just as empathy is. Different parts of the brain but both very real. Maybe the whole basis of the us vs them business? Whether we acknowledge it or not, violence just grabs our attention, no matter what. Just as sex does. But just as laughter does, too.
The part about violence is a disturbing realization which is probably why we don't like thinking about it. Yet, it doesn't simply go away if we don't. That story you mention about the nurse is a good example - and not just a story, unfortunately. We are complicated pieces of work, us humans.
( But I admit I'd rather be reading The Wind in the Willows than thinking about evil right now.) :-)
best, A R.
The cruelty article has me thinking about the James Bond movie I saw over the weekend - man he is really a sadist! Good movie, though.
(Chick lit is my guilty pleasure!esp. Bridget Jones)
re Absinthelabel - "patient experimentation in herbal didstillation" - ?? Sounds like something that could get you sent to the principal's office fer sure.
Hi Avid,
Some Chick Lit isn't bad, let me know what you think of the Rich book. Absinthe? Yuck! Now reading this label, I understand why I couldn't stand it in my youth!
Hope you have a good week!
Speaking of cruelty, have you seen "The Changeling" with Angelina Jolie? It's based on a true story in the 1930's in LA, which portrays a very corrupt police department and a psycho who preys on young children. It is cruelty in its worst form!
i've never tried absinthe
want to - esp. now i know it tastes like liquorice!
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