Aaaand we're back

Anybody get cybernetic implants for Christmas?
Me either.

I must say, however, it was a fine fine holiday.  The family was together and we enjoyed a meal and more sugar than the human body should be allowed to imbibe.  For those of you who know us, these are the answers to your annual burning questions: the ethnic food was Chinese and the mystery soup was cream soybean.  I received one nifty gift in particular, that being Penguin's Guide to Literary Terms and Literary Theory.

Yes, only a geek like myself could get excited about something like that. But everything you've ever encountered in terms of writing, rhetoric, and literature is in this book.  I went "genre hopping" through it as soon as I opened the book up.  As with any genre definition, there are those who could probably yell and squeal over the terms used, but I found them to be about as accurate as any you're really going to find.  Their definition for "cut-up" is a bit thin, however.  Perhaps Penguin would allow me to submit a longer study?  Anyway, I'm currently going through the entry on Beat literature and actually finding out a few things I didn't know about Burroughs and Kerouac.

Speaking of books, I'm hoping to get out to my favorite used book store while I'm up here in the Chicago 'burbs.  I've got an insane amount of time before second semester starts so I'm trying to take the opportunity to do as many things and get as much done as I can.  There is supposed to be a fine used book store in Bolingbrook that specializes in science fiction and pulps.  It's a wonder I've never visited there, but I only recently discovered them via their stall at Printer's Row Book Fair.  If I get over to see the store, I'll let you know what gems I find.

Got to speak with my Grandmother and hear all about Ohio's impending blizzard.  Hopefully it won't take them too long to dig out from under it.  Christmas will forever be synonymous for me with my Grandmother's house.  We spent nearly every single Christmas of my years up until age 31 at that house.  Christmas Eve has special memories for because of that, especially the Christmases when I got my Shogun Warrior and a Star Wars Death Star back to back.  Heaven!  I'm making it a point to be at her house next year, God willing.

As usual, holidays are a bit tough on my stomach.  Rich food and me eating poorly always aggravates it.  Thankfully I have medication to hold the acid at bay for the most part, however that dam may disappear if I don't get health insurance soon.  If that doesn't happen, I might have to use...Gasp!...diet and exercise!  I think we all know I'm hopeless at that.

I've been extending my monastic living over the break, I am happy to announce.  Lots of reading, writing, and nary a minute over an hour in my car.  Just how I like it.

On the MP3 right now...

Puccini's Tosca
The Cure, Disintegration
Pulp, "Common People"
Peter Gabriel, "Red Rain"
David Bowie, "Heroes (Live at Live Aid, '85)"
Portishead, "Glory Box"




My e-novella, Hound of Winter is available for only 99 cents

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