Blurt!Sben

Got a bee in my bonnet to make plans and reservations for my [mumblemumble]-year college reunion.

Oct. 21, 2023, 11:43am

Went to the high school football game with Mom last night; the kids performed in the massive two-band halftime show.

Oct. 21, 2023, 11:41am

Meghan found scale bugs on her plants in the corner, being herded by ants for their honeydew. Immediate steps have been taken.

Oct. 18, 2023, 9:42pm

Meghan and I went to our great local bookstore to hear Nicola Griffith interviewed by Neal Stephenson.

Oct. 18, 2023, 9:41pm

Went with Mom to Carkeek Park.

Oct. 14, 2023, 4:39pm

I caught a glimpse of a crescent sun through the clouds, before they thinned out too much.

Oct. 14, 2023, 9:27am

Got my covid booster.

Oct. 13, 2023, 1:02pm

Last night’s kitchen victory: ersatz cheesesteaks.

Oct. 13, 2023, 6:48am

Walked from the U District to Lake Washington, Genesee Park, and Columbia City: about 19k steps, 9 miles, 3 hours.

Oct. 8, 2023, 9:54pm

Meghan and the dude got their covid shots yesterday, and the bambina is getting hers today.

Oct. 8, 2023, 10:28am

A day of satisfying chores: Straightened up the yard and mowed for the winter, and fixed the coffee bean fleurons on this here web site.

Oct. 7, 2023, 10:27pm

Amy joined us to watch the kids’ halftime marching band performance. Really good to see her again.

Sep. 30, 2023, 10:37am (edited)

The dude and the bambina had marching band practice this evening. They are Very Wet.

Sep. 27, 2023, 9:00pm (edited)

The Return of the King, for all its various virtues, was the volume with most of the racist characterizations we think of as we reevaluate Tolkien — not just the Haradrim and Easterlings, but even some of his depictions of orcs cross the line. Important to be aware of flaws in a work, even (or especially) if you otherwise love it.

Sep. 26, 2023, 10:16pm (edited)

Finished rereading The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, including the appendices.

It turns out I haven’t read all the appendices, or had thoroughly forgotten some of them. I like to think that everybody should read them, but … well, they’re not part of the main story for a reason.

Sep. 25, 2023, 7:55pm (edited)