So Much Stuff I Can't Recall

As you can see by the list to the right, I've moved on to Weaveworld by Clive Barker. I've never read Barker before, so we'll see if I like him or if he's a stinkeroo.

Philip has recently taken a liking to saying the word "poop." Hopefully he won't come home from Gramma and Grampa's with any new words.

This is my second week in the Top 10,000 at Amazon (no flashy icon, though). Last week I was in the 8,000s, this week I'm in the 7's. My current ranking – 7,155 – is shared with only 371 others. My current goal is a ranking of my own ... Then I go for the top 1,000 (and the flashy icon). If you're not a voter, help me out. To the right are some helpful links to reviews you'll want to read. Thanks!

I finished my review of The Hitcher 2 on the train last night. Upcoming reviews include the book Murder Must Advertise and the movies House and The Hitcher (#1). I also saw Bend It Like Beckham and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but I won't likely review them formally. They were/are good movies and you should rent/buy them if you haven't seen them already. Opa!

The train rides themselves were also nice. I had a Talgo train on the northbound trip; European-esque coaches, very comfortable with standard headphone jacks in the armrests and AC power for laptops and other electronic devices. The in-train movie was School of Rock, which I may rent and review as the PA system would cut in occasionally. When I initially jacked-in during the opening credits Jack Black was rocking out with his band while the soundtrack was playing nice lounge music. I thought: cool juxtaposition of styles; then I realized I was on the wrong audio channel. Oops. The return trip was on the Coast-Starlight Superliner (the double-decker aluminum train cars you may have seen). Very generous footroom, but no headphone jacks or in-train movie. Still, it was comfortable, and I brought my CD player and a book, so I wasn't bored.

This Wednesday (until March 2) we're taking a family trip down to California by rental car. More details later.

I'm taking a couple DVDs with so I'll have something to review when I get back.

Be seeing you.

Now help Staples identify the office supply of the future and land its inventor a $25,000 payday. Just visit the site and vote for the product you like best.

Me? I voted for the "Call Caddy;" a stupid name, but the device converts a corded phone to a non-corded handset. Nifty idea, methinks.

Anyhoo ... go ... vote ... write in Joe Lieberman ... knock yourself out (not literally, unless that's your thing – in which case, go for it!).

When you're done with that, check out my review of The Wailing Wind by Tony Hillerman.

The fun here just never ends.

Today was the big auction at church to fund-raise for the Mexico Missions trip. I picked up a $50 Polartec Fleece Vest for $35 and a $25 Harry Ritchie Jewelers gift cert for $20. Not too shabby.

I spent late yesterday morning through early afternoon at a sound guy in-service day. I learned a few things I did not know (subgroups, monitor settings, how to turn on the sound in the "cry room," etc.) We took a field trip under the sanctuary to see how things are wired. Turns out there's some big metal ductwork running right under the pulpit ... I wonder what it would sound like were it to be banged on in the middle of a sermon.

Last night was the "Lifemates' Date Night" at church; nice dessert and game time, then the guest speakers spoke about communication skills. Apparently husbands need to do more than grunt and say "beer me." Who knew?!

Last summer McDonald's had a SpyKids 3-D Happy Meal promotional. A few days ago Phil found a pair of the red-green glasses. He stood up on a chair, put the glasses on, and practiced being a stoplight. Some kids want to be firemen or astronauts; mine wants to be a traffic signal (better than a yellow "Yield" blinker I guess, but still ... ).

Next month the women's group at church is having an Irish Potato Bar night. Talk about your Irish stereotypes: pototoes and bars. Aye n' begorrah! You'd think we'd be more sensitive.

The review for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Five has been submitted but isn't up yet. Stay tuned.

On Wednesday night Phil was playing in the church childcare area (formerly known as the nursery), fell, hit his head on the corner of one of the wooden tables, and opened a 3/4-inch gash in his forehead. 90 minutes later he got 3 stitches at the Urgent Care clinic. He seems to be no worse for the head trauma. This is his second forehead wound; if he keeps this up he'll be in contention for the "Sarah Mikesell I've-Fallen-and-Broken-My-Face" award — Yippee!

I've been too busy to write reviews lately (what with the medical emergency and all). Maybe I'll play catch-up this weekend and write reviews for the Fifth Season of Buffy and Dorothy Parker's Have His Carcase. Stick around.

If you have winning caps you don't want to use, e-mail me.

*That's High-Fructose Corn Syrup. It gives me a headache, hence my preference for Diet.