Today I smelled summer....

...though there was nothing around that could have caused it. I was driving to work -- I live in Central NJ, far enough from the shore and beaches. But somehow today I smelled the beach -- the salt wind that hits you in the back of the throat almost before it hits your nose, the saline tang that means summer and sand and water. I could feel, for a second, the sand; I could see the tiny bits of shell stuck to the bottoma of my feet. Summer is coming. I just wish I had more time to enjoy it -- beaches on weekends are a drag.

I won't play.

I don't like the lists. Period. I read them and feel awful and secretive and worried about my relationships with people I thought were my friends, because now I am assuming you've got something to say that you won't say to my face. I worry about this enough with people I already know don't like me. So I won't play.

Here is what I will do, instead. I printed out my friends list and picked ten random people. Here is what I have to say about them all:

cassiusdrow -- you are one of my oldest and dearest friends. I have known you through many incarnations and issues, and I am proud of you and what you have become.

celtink -- I miss spending time with you and doing silly girl things. But I am so pleased that you have found someone who loves you and who enriches your life instead of only taking things away from it.

doc_rorshak -- Even though we rarely get to see each other, I want you to know that I always hold you -- and by extension Annika -- close in my heart. Elitists rule!

drklrdraven -- you are the most honest person I know. Sometimes I find that terribly intimidating but it is good to know that I can always count on you to let me know when I am ok and when I am not.

fairietink -- this must have been fate, since you are having a bad day today. You have reminded me how important girlfriends are; I don't think I can honestly explain to you how much. I am glad we had time to get close and I hope that we will continue to grow our friendship, though perhaps without peeing in hallways ;)

kilkainnan -- it was a rocky start, I think. But I am glad we are friends; I am glad to have someone in my life who can always make me laugh, often at my own idiosyncracies and stupidities.

rocketrn -- I often remember when you came out to see me while you were vacationing in Florida all those years ago. It is one of the fondest memories I have. Thank you for still being my friend, through all the bad things that have been said about *both* of us!

saphyne -- we will be friends for a long time. Thank you for becoming like family to me in a very short time.

shhhlisa -- the most important think I can say to you is thank you for being back in my life. Thank you.

thryn -- I miss you alot; I remember when it was so easy to just walk across the quad and have my Kat to hang out with. Thank you for sticking it out with me; thank you for always trying your best to be there in person when I am in the state. Oh - and you are the BEST back scratcher in the UNIVERSE!

There is a special place reserved in hell.....

....for the Sisters of the Magdalene Laundries, the families who put their girls in there, and the members of the Irish government who allowed it to flourish.

Just needed to get that out.

Books and movies

I renewed my library card and I got the Blockbuser movie pass. Anyone care to make some recommendations for me?

Here's the most current list of what is now in the house:

Movies -- Rundown, The Magdelene Laundries, Love Actually

Books -- Geek Love, Where the Heart Is, Grange House, Book Lust

More please!