G's Top Five Reads of 2013

Since I harp about books on here all the time, I thought it only fair to turn the floor over to G for his two cents.  Our book choices are vastly different.  To say the least.

A typical nightly conversation around here goes something like this:  As G ruminates about the beginnings of WWI, he'll ask me what my book is about and I'll shrug and mumble, "Oh, two brothers in a third world country who are dealing with internal struggles and stuff," or "A girl who is wondering about her future..."  BUT!  Oh, but.  He can't make fun of me or he knows the next time he picks up a book based on a movie based on a video game based on a computer module...he's really in for it.

Happy New Year's Eve, peeps!  Read on!

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And now, the moment I'm sure you've all been awaiting:  my top five reads of 2013.  These are in no particular order, and they were not all necessarily published this year; I just read them this year.

1.  The Ace of Skulls, by Chris Wooding.

All good things must come to an end, and this book marks the end of Wooding's "Tales of the Ketty Jay".  (The third installment, The Iron Jackal, made it into my top five reads of 2012.)  In The Ace of Skulls, Wooding leads his readers on a crazy adventure involving the crew of the airship Ketty Jay, as they try to stay out of the the civil war that is threatening to engulf Vardia.  Even the most insignificant person can change the course of events, a nod to the book's title.  The Ace of Skulls is a card in the game of "Rake," a game in which Darian Frey--the Ketty Jay's captain--has made and lost small fortunes.  Depending on the cards in a player's hand, the Ace of Skulls can make a winning hand worthless, or a losing hand unbeatable.  I can't recommend this series enough, but if you're going to read it, start at the beginning with Retribution Falls.

2.  Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford.

I think a lot of people know who Genghis Khan is--or at least, they think they know who he is.  Given his exploits, the part of the world he conquered, and the amount of time that has passed since the zenith of the Mongol empire, Genghis Khan (not even his real name) has attained a somewhat mythical position in general Western thought.  He was real; his victories were real; his empire was real.  Together with Mongol historians, Weatherford retraced Genghis Khan's journey across what is now Mongolia as his empire spread across most of Asia and changed the course of Western, Islamic, and Chinese civilization.   If you think you know who Genghis Khan is, you probably don't.  I was certainly disabused of that notion after reading this book.

3.  Mars, by Ben Bova.

Bova has written several novels about the exploration of other planets.  Mars, in my opinion, is one of the better of these stories.  Set in the not-too-distant future, the book describes the first human landing on the Red Planet, comprised of a multi-national team of about 50 people.  Central to the story is Jaime Waterman, a geologist from the Southwestern United States and a Navajo.  On live television from the landing site on Mars, Waterman utters a Navajo phrase, which causes a firestorm of political upheaval on Earth.  Jaime deals with the fallout of his remarks against the backdrop of exploring the new planet.  While not as exhaustive as Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars--the astronauts in Bova's book were not attempting to colonize the planet--it is still a glimpse of how the first manned mission could be achieved.

4.  Templar One, by Tony Gonzales.

Set in the vast universe of the computer game "EVE Online", Templar One chronicles the acquisition, and subsequent deployment, of immortal technology used by ground soldiers.  In the EVE universe, a war is raging amongst the capsuleers of the four main factions in the New Eden star system.  The capsuleers--often called "Empyreans"--have access to immortal technology in the form of clones with flash-updated memories, meaning that they can fly their starships into combat knowing that they will live to fight another day.  If a capsuleer's ship is destroyed and his body with it, he will awake in a clone at separate location, with all of his memories, persona, and psyche intact, and will be able to jump into another ship and rejoin the fray.  Templar One tells the story of Vince Barrabin--the first ground soldier to utilize immortal technology, and a loyal servant of the Amarr Empire.  The EVE game is an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game--say THAT ten times!), and is an incredibly complex user-driven game complete with an in-game economy, government, and factional warfare.  As a former EVE player, I can appreciate the setting of this novel, but even without any experience in EVE I believe it stands on its own as a good science-fiction story.

5.  The War to End All Wars:  The American Military Experience in World War One, by Edward M. Coffman.

Published in the late 1960's, The War to End All Wars is a fascinating look at how America entered World War One in April 1917.  Rather than re-hash the origins of the conflict and cover the events of the war leading up to America's involvement, Coffman starts the reader out in early spring 1917. Woodrow Wilson declares war on Germany, and everyone cheers America's entry into the conflict…and the next day they have to take a hard, sober look at how to get a military that is not really on a war footing across the Atlantic Ocean and into the fight.  The first half of the book deals mostly with the logistics of preparing the military and the nation to go to war, and also with the political squabblings of how the Americans would be used once they got to Europe.  The second half covers military contributions of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in fighting along the Western Front.  The roles and actions of men who would be America's leaders in World War Two are also described; in this book, you will encounter Major Dwight D. Eisenhower, Captain George S. Patton, etc.  As with all subjects, the details become more clear the closer you look, and our nation's involvement in World War One was complex, nuanced, and fraught with difficulty.  A great book for anyone interested in the closing phases of the Great War.

So there they are--my top reads of 2013.  Happy reading!

The Weekly Dose of Ridiculous

After a brief Christmas break, the Weekly Dose is back in business.  Today, let's discuss video game movies.

As you all know, I'm a pretty avid gamer.  Most people who don't play video games don't realize that some of them--many of them, actually--have a pretty deep plot and backstory.  For me, playing some games is akin to reading a good book, except that I get to participate in the story.  In the Halo franchise, you play a super-soldier fighting an alien species bent on erasing humanity from the universe.  In Crackdown, you play a cop in a futuristic city that is overrun by multiple criminal organizations, and you have to fight to take the city back.  In The Need for Speed franchise, you race cars.

Guess which one Hollywood opted to make into a movie?

Yep.  The Need for Speed.

*sigh*

In which a protagonist has to clear his name from a death incurred during a road race.  And the only way he can do it involves racing (and destroying) lots of very expensive cars.

Hasn't this been done before?  Haven't there been SIX OTHER MOVIES recently that deal with racing fast cars for some reason or another?  Did the people behind this movie never hear of the Fast and the Furious franchise???

Way to go, Hollywood.  Because, ya know, no one would want to see a movie based on a game where you fight the influence of the Templar Knights on the course of Western civilization (the Assassin's Creed franchise), battle a subterranean menace that is trying to wipe out your species (Gears of War), or  lead an uprising of miners against an oppressive mining conglomeration on Mars (Red Faction).

Until next time, dear readers, here's hoping you don't feel the need…the need for speed.

Winding Down

Well, home sweet home and bun surly bun.  We made it back to Denver yesterday, picked up the ingrate, and proceeded to lay around the house.

She pretends like she's not happy to be home, but we know she is.

Thanks to our week with The Toddler, G came down with a cold and I have "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" stuck in my head.  Every now and then "Bah Bah Black Sheep" interrupts it.  I'm going out of my mind.

Darth Maul?  Is that you?

Well, 2013 is winding down.  Our vacation is winding down.  The holidays are winding down.  It's time to take down the Christmas decorations and mentally prepare for the long winter (Looooooong winter) and all the changes soon to come.

One of the changes for me - I suspect - will be less time to read for fun.  Over the past couple of weeks I re-read this:

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

This is one of the best books I have ever read.  I got it in grad school and have read it probably 4 or 5 times since then.  It is the story of an American missionary family who volunteers to go to the Congo in the 1950's and subsequently becomes trapped there due to the father's bad decisions and the country's political turmoil.  The story is told through the eyes of the mother and her four very different daughters throughout the 50's, 60's and eventually the 80's. It captures the African landscape and culture, world politics of the time, issues of colonialism, religion, and family dynamics.  In a word, it is fascinating.  I highly recommend it.

A book I do not recommend, though, is this one.

The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

I have seen this in bookstores for years and have been curious about it.  The Russkie passed it along to me in a stack of books a couple of weeks ago and since it is so small, I thought it would be good to take on our trip.  The story is about five people that an old carnival mechanic meets in Heaven after he dies. I thought it sounded intriguing - or at least thought provoking - but it reads like an elementary book for adults.  Interesting idea, poor execution.  In all fairness, after the first few pages I basically skimmed it, waiting for it to catch my attention. So, it's not like I read it with my full attention.  That would have been a waste of time.

One of our cool gifts from the fam: hats from India!

Remember when I said we were going to eat about 85 pounds of chex mix?  Yeah, not kidding.

I am on a Truman Capote kick these days.  How did I major in Literature and never read any of his stuff?  He is such a good writer and captures Southern culture so well.

G will soon be on here with his five top reads of 2013, as well as the next dose of ridiculous.  I am prepping for a grueling day at work tomorrow, followed by a couple more days off.  Now, that is a manageable schedule.  I think we should look into implementing it permanently...

TGIF, people!

Out and About

The greetings have changed from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy New Year."  I love this time of year.

We have been cooped up for the past couple of days with family.  One little member is about to turn three years old and let me tell you…there is not a slow or quiet moment to be had.  G and I shuffle around the house with our eyes glazed over, mumbling "one fish two fish red fish blue fish."

All of this to say that life under the glare of the surly - QUIET - bunny is looking more and more attractive.

G calls the vet's office, where she is being boarded, every day or two and she's doing just fine.  They are leaving her alone, as instructed, so she can scoff at the other animals without interruption or distraction.

We woke up to snow flurries this morning but were bound and determined not to let that deter us from getting out.  We were going stir crazy and needed some grown up time.  (Note to all of you parents:  How do you ever think a coherent thought?  Like, ever?)

We went to a quaint little town a few miles up the road for some pub grub and shopping.

Lots of locally brewed beer - and bangers and mash.

My best find, though, was from an antique shop the other day.  Check it out:

Shakespeare plays, first edition, printed in Cambridge in 1894!  Apparently the owner bought them, and inscribed them, in 1896.  I still can't believe I scored these for $4-$8 apiece.

In between baby duty, I have managed to read a few excellent books.  Reviews coming when I can string together a series of complete sentences, which won't likely be for a couple more days.

Hoping you and yours are enjoying the holidays!

Let There Be Food

Merry Christmas, folks!

I'm trying to digest dinner so I can start on the cookies, and thought I would drop in to say hi from Amish Country.

My in laws have taken to making their own pasta and sauce from scratch.  Praise the new born king is all I'm sayin'.  OMG it's so good.

Dish towels make for great bibs.

The day also included lunch at a local tavern, and perusing some antiques.  Guess what I found?  Fodder for a "books books books" post sometime: first editions of several Shakespeare plays, printed in 1895.  I found them for about $8 each!  Can you believe it?  I take it as a good omen for the MA program I'm about to start.

Time to eat cookies.

It Begins

Lord have mercy.  It took two cups of coffee, me, G, and the good Lord Jesus to wrangle Lucy into her carrier this morning.  By the time we got her settled at the vet's my nerves were shot.

This is only about half of her crap.

She and I were both reaching for the alcohol at this point.

Shot, I tell you.

Then we drove to the airport and parked at the far end of the lot.  In the terminal opposite ours.

After hiking three miles, we stood in line for an hour to check in, behind a guy who was on hold with the airline and kept his phone on speaker the entire time.  So that everyone in line could hear the spanish muzak? I dunno.

Then?  Then it was all better.

Now ready to fly the friendly skies and spend a week with my in laws.  God bless us all.

Fuel for the Holidays

Today, we celebrated our own mini Christmas before heading to G's parents for the week. 

Part of my gift to G was a special lunch inside of a KC-97 Stratotanker.  This plane was used from the 1940's - 1960's solely to re-fuel other planes in the air.  It is now a working restaurant located next to Peterson AFB in CO Springs. 

Fuel for the body.  Fuel for aircraft.  Fuel for this holiday season.

Merry Christmas.  I am Wife of the Year.

The outside:

The inside:

We were able to eat inside the aircraft.

The menu was surprisingly diverse!  Burgers, salads, soups, sandwiches, pastas, and DRINKS.

This is a "Chocolate Touchdown" which consists of peppermint schnapps and hot chocolate.  The friendly skies, indeed!

I kept my food expectations L-O-W, but I have to say, our entrees were tasty!  I had the seared ahi salad, served atop chilled Japanese noodles and cole slaw, with plenty of veggies.  Not bad!  I would certainly eat there again.

The cockpit was fully open to the public.  G explained alllll about the controllers.

The cockpit was so spacious, I could barely reach the foot controls.

The happiest this gal will ever look inside a plane.  I guarantee you.

This is how I feel on the inside.

Daydreaming of other career possibilities...

Heading to the East Coast tomorrow.  And I will most certainly not be in the cockpit.  But there will be alcohol.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good flight.  :)

The Twelve Days of Christmas at DaWrightHouse

12 times a day I want to sneak a cookie

11 pounds I would gain from eating said cookies

10 more goals created for 2014

9 days of vacation coming up over the holidays

8 vet technicians it will take to subdue Lucy when she is boarded this weekend

7 days coming up with my in-laws

6 presents under the tree

5 more shopping days left before Christmas Eve

(unless you're Type A like us and finished your shopping in September)

4 gallons of home made Chex Mix (soon to be consumed)

3 Ewoks in the Christmas tree

(hidden, of course)

2 more working days left until vacation!

1 grumpy rabbit

Bah Humbug!

(or is it "Humbun"?)

This Is How It Is

I walked into one of my favorite bookstores to pick up a voucher today.  I told the sales clerk, "Picking up for last name 'Wright' with a 'W.'  Thanks!"

Without missing a beat she goes, "Gripe.  As in g-r-i-p-e?"

I could practically hear God cackling.  I wanted to roll my eyes but didn't because he would have been all, "Oh, what?  Like she's wrong."

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It occurred to me this weekend that things are not as simple as they used to be.  Truthfully, they never were in the first place, but I get all whiny and lose sight of that.

Remember when our trips to the vet were like this?

Not anymore!

Now we can't even make it to the vet because we can't wrangle Lucy into her carrier.  She looks at us like, "Look, people.  I can't stress this enough.  You are so not in control here."

On Saturday morning we tried forever to lure her into her carrier.  To no avail.  Poor G had to wrangle me into the kitchen (I fall to pieces at the thought of sweet bunnies of yore.  This little rat is too much for me and it slays my heart.) and then proceed to try to sweet talk her into furry submission.

We had to call the vet and cancel.

Lord help us all if she ever gets sick.  She will meet her maker in the middle of the living room floor and there's no way around that.

There are three introverts living in this house.  Sometimes it's too much.

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Some key things in life are changing and I can't really talk about it - yet - on the blog.  No, I'm not pregnant.  But it's a big enough change that I feel like I'm reeling about, untethered.  Things are not how they used to be, but they are not yet settled into something new.  I'm in a Middle Ground where faith is tested and I don't exactly…how shall I say…excel in this type of situation.

I tend to roam around the house.  And zone out in front of the Christmas tree.  And whine incessantly until I get called out by a sales clerk.

But!  This is how things are and I want to live in the moment.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow and all that.  However, I find myself surrounded by life's rolling waves and pointing out to God, to quote a movie line, "We're gonna need a bigger boat."