Reading: When the Wind Blows by James Patterson (just finished)
Music: The Bothy Band
TV/Movie: Bad Lieutenant (starring Harvey Keitel)
Link o' the Day: Something Postive.

Already it's been too many days since my last update. I _did_ try to update something late last week--a diatribe against something that had pissed me off momentarily, but a computer crash made me lose all my hard-wrought angst and by the time I got back up and running again, something new and shiny had taken its place.

As Mr. Vonnegut might say, "So it goes."

I recently finished anovel by James Patterson called "When the Wind Blows." This was recommended to me as I was looking for something along the lines of a thriller with a vague otherworldiness to it. The main premise of the book is a troubled and widowed FBI agent and a troubled and widowed veterinarian team up to save a troubled and orphaned young girl who happens to have wings and can fly.

After the first 100 pages I was reminded of the Dorothy Parker quote that went something along the lines of "This is not a book to be set down gently, but to be hurled with great force."

Soon after, the author fixed some issues I was having with the story, then proceeded to write out a thoroughly predictable and disappointing ending. I think the only reason why I finished it was in the vain hope that the author, who sells very well, had an ace up his sleeve and might have a curveball or other surprise for me.

No such luck. Ah well. The very end of the book included samples from the sequel which looks so absolutely mind-bendingly awful that I swear it must be a joke (but fear it's not).

Ah well, Patterson. You had your shot.

Now I've read a lot of Clive Cussler novels, and I can tell you that I _know_ the good guys are always going to win, and the bad guys are always going to gedt their comeuppance. The trick is how. And when. Whoops.. didn't see that coming. The plotlines, while so big in scope that it really takes the ol' "suspension of disbelief" out for a long spin, still are somewhat more acceptable than what Mr. Patterson had to offer. And likewise Cussler's usual cast of two-dimensional Heinlein-esque characters are more entertaining.

Ah well, Patterson. You're a best-selling author. Surely there must be a reason why. Perhaps I just started with the wrong book. I'd be willing to give him a second look if anyone cares to recommend a title I could find at a used bookstore. (I'm _not_ paying new-bookstore prices for him again until I think it's worth it.)

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Today's link goes to an old favorite, I'm sure I've linked it here before, but it's late and I'm logging out any minute now. Welcome to the webcomic called Something Postive. It's in my top-ten, and like near the top if not at the top. It's not often when I can claim that I can identify so closely with the protagonist of a webcomic, but Something Postive comes damn close.

Cheers!