All right, folks! I think it’s finally time to start our The Lovely Bones discussion. Everybody is welcome to join in. I think we’re going to have a lot more to talk about with this book than the last one. And don’t forget, next on the list is Neil Gaiman’s Coraline.

My sister sent me this link. So yeah, she’s still makin’ fun of the Atkins thing. 🙂

The founder of Opus Dei is being canonized. I don’t know much about Catholic sects, but I do remember the minor scandal that ensued when ND‘s magazine revealed the existence of a local campus branch. One of the guys in my Philosophy class was in it. (He was an ass, but in all fairness I don’t think that had anything to do with religion.) I remember being horrified reading about their self-flagellation. I seem to remember the article going into great detail about some wire thing you were supposed to wear around your leg that cut into you all day long. I still shudder at the thought. Hey, I’m all for self-discipline, but some of this stuff borders on self-mutilation. I don’t think it’s very saint-like to endure suffering that you yourself cause. The guy in the article tries to play it down, but he still emphasizes the “constant sacrifice” that is necessary for “God’s work”. It sounds so cult-like. (You can read an “unofficial FAQ” here.) What do you Catholics think? Is this good or bad for the Church’s image right now? (Does that even matter?)

Lest you think I’ve been slacking, I should probably report that the Storm at Sea Quilt is still on schedule. There were some minor mishaps though. First, while ironing the completed quilt top I forgot the third rule of Quilt Club: “Don’t try to iron while watching James Bond and drinking Diet Coke.” (The first and second, of course, are “You do not talk about Quilt Club.” But I’ve broken that one too.) Anyway, yeah, I spilled it everywhere. Luckily a quick wash fixed it right up. Then when I finally went to put the damn thing together, I found, like, a gaping hole in one of the rows. Some emergency slip-stitching was performed and the patient recovered well. Eventually I got it all basted together and was finally able to start quilting. On my mother’s advice, I’m using a dark blue thread that matches the backing fabric. I did this so my inevitable mistakes won’t show so much. I’ve got about a square foot done now, and it’s going okay. I was pretty stressed at first, thinking that it needed to be perfect since it’s going to be a wedding present. But seriously, if they wanted a store-bought blanket they could just buy one, right? I’ve spent months on this thing, and I know our friends will appreciate that. So now I’m happily stitching away. I figure the sooner I get this thing done, the better. Summer’s coming and sitting under a quilt in hundred-degree heat will not be fun.

That said, I think I’m going to take a break from the quilting after I finish this one and learn to knit. Then again, maybe I could actually find a hobby suited to the climate I live in, huh?

Friday Five:

1. What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind?
Here lately I’m all about the baths. I just crank the hot water in a our big ol’ tub and chuck in a bath bomb or some bubble bar. Then I settle in with a book and soak til I’m wrinkly. Ahhhh… I also like working in our back courtyard. I water the plants and rake up the dead leaves and hang clothes on the line. I love being out in the sun.

2. What do you do the moment you get home from work/school/errands?
Hmm. *blink* You mean, like, leaving the house? Working from home means you don’t do that much. I suppose when I do leave, the first thing I do when I get back is check my e-mail. Seriously. (I know how lame that sounds.) If I’m coming back from the gym, it’s straight into the shower.

3. What are your favorite aromatherapeutic smells?
“Aromatherapeutic”? What a girly question. I don’t really know. I like the stuff that’s in my bubble bar – patchouli and tea tree oil. That’s pretty good.

4. Do you feel more relaxed with a group of friends or hanging out by yourself?
Definitely by myself or with just the Snook. I tend to get too self-conscious when I’m out with others. Not that I don’t have fun; it’s just that it’s not exactly relaxing.

5. What is something that you feel is relaxing but most people don’t?
Working on my websites. I’m sure most people (whether part of the industry or not) don’t think of writing PHP as a relaxing activity. I like the busywork though. I can turn my brain off and still feel productive.

I saw the headline for this article and got all excited about Apple-inspired haute couture. Then I found out they meant raincoats. Whatever. Yeah, I’m a nerd.

The Australian bush fire season has started a month early. Thanks to the drought we’ve been having, there are now more than seventy blazes burning in New South Wales. Sheesh. That kinda makes me feel a little guilty for enjoying the blue skies so much. I hope this Christmas doesn’t turn out like last year’s. The firemen deserve a holiday.

Mega update over at the Dahl site. I stumbled across the Locus Index to Science Fiction which had a treasure trove of information about Dahl. I couldn’t stop til I assimilated it all. I think I have carpel tunnel syndrome now.

Sometimes you just get tired of being taken for granted, you know?
Update: Feeling much better, thanks. No more Martyr Kris. Back to the fun! 🙂

Oh no. Don’t mention their names. They’re here.