Book #66

66) Doctorow, Cory. MAKERS. Tor: 2009.

Cory Doctorow's work is up to the minute (or perhaps 30 seconds into the future). It is the perfect science fiction and manifesto for Makers, Hackers, DIY'ers and Entrepreneurs. I'm not by any means a tech geek, but I am a fan of Cory Doctorow who can make me see the art & culture of technology! Loved this novel.

Publisher's Weekly starred review: In this tour de force, Doctorow uses the contradictions of two overused SF themes—the decline and fall (or Disney-fication) of America and the boundless optimism of open source/hacker culture—to draw one of the most brilliant reimaginings of the near future since cyberpunk wore out its mirror shades. The result is bitingly realistic and miraculously avoids cliché or predictability.

stuffs

Uggghh..this week's exercise is off to a slow (ok, non-existant) start. Took a rest day on Monday, and then yesterday I procrastinated during the day, intending to get out in the evening, but ended up crawling home to bed right after work with the most miserable sick migraine I've had in ages. Thankfully, am feeling more human again today, and will trot over to the park for a couple of miles* at lunchtime.

(*3 miles)

I did indulge some retail training though. :) I online ordered myself a new running skirt, a flashy longsleeved shrug, and a set of compression calf sleeves. The skirt, RaceReady brand, has a strip of pockets across the back for stashing gels and such--I thought that storage option might work out well along with my camelbak on long runs! I also registered for two local mid-distance Huntsville Track Club events, a 15K Monte Sano roadrace in early Oct. and the Huntsville Half Marathon in Nov. :) This spending splurge was made possible by a nice bonus the library staff received last week!

Am back in the party cake baking biz. Am doing a cake for our library office manager Patricia's retirement party next week. lol..it was kind of funny, Phyliss was talking to me about what was wanted for the party, and kept notching me back down to keep it simple and classic. (large white sheet cake of 60+ servings; ivory and yellow buttercream frosting, maybe a sunflower design and congratulations script) That is to say, no oddball designs or overly quirky cakes. Then am doing two cheesecakes for Pamela's wedding the next week.

Am getting that I-want-to-be-working-on-something-artistic feeling which usually hits me as October & Halloween approaches, but am also feeling like I have no time. Further, I am feeling somewhat (contradictory?) creatively depressed. I noticed Lowe Mill is still accepting artists applications for studio space, thought about applying just to see if I *could* get accepted there...but then felt discouraged trying to think of what I could possibly show as my portfolio pieces (that would be of a quality level and wouldn't be eons old) Yes, I am creative, but fear when it comes to being a real artist, I'm not.

On my calendar: weekly munch tonight; kickass cajun accordian concert (Rosie Ledet!) at Lowe Mill on Friday evening; doing the FleetFeet marathon training group run on Saturday morning (followed by MORE miles to complete my weekly ultra-marathon training long run); and (of course) spending time with B.

Guess I'm just feeling a bit moody and all over the place today.