Time - where does it go?

Days. weeks, months, they all seem to be racing away from me. What began as a twice weekly blog about books and life seems to have dwindled to a twice monthly rant that's too long for anyone to read. Excuses, excuses - work really seems to get in the way of writing. Then there was the fantastic visit with my brother and sister in law last week, the catching up, the revelations of our youthful indiscretions, the "father always loved you best" accusations offered only half in jest. My poor baby brother will likely have to go into therapy now that he's discovered that dad took me hunting once when I was only about 8 or 9 years old but never took Al. Why? Who knows. Dad isn't here to answer the question but it was probably just as simple as mom needed a break from my constant chatter!

So, what am I reading? I just finished a book for Library Journal - wrote the review yesterday. It's a rerelease of The Black Album by Hanif Kureishi, originally published in 1995. A book group's dream, it deals with immigration issues, alienation, loneliness, fundamentalism, freedom of speech, the power of words, etc. etc. etc. Can't say more but you can watch for the review early this summer probably. I had never read anything by Kureishi though I was familiar with his screenplays, My Beautiful Laundrette and more recently, Venus.

I've been remiss in not getting back here to give a huge shout out to Tess Gerritsen ( www.tessgerritsen.com )for her fantastic plug on her blog for our reading festival. I downloaded The Keepsake onto my new mp3 player because it's the book she was touting when she came to Ft. Myers to speak. Even though the Jane Rizzoli books are a long series I'm having no trouble picking up the threads. This title appealed to me because it's about archaeology and mummifcation which has always fascinated me - though not, I assure you, as a means of murder! Ever since my high school class took it's senior trip to NYC to the Metropolitan, I've loved all things Egyptian.

This thriller takes place in a small museum in Boston where the arrival of an ancient mummy brings out the paparazzi. When the mummy is CAT scanned, the modern dentistry and telltale bullet hole reveal that this body is only a few years old and the publicity puts pressure on staff member Josephine Pulcillo, who's been living under the radar screen and an assumed name for several years. As Rizzoli and her partner delve deeper into the goings on at the Crispin Museum, no one is who he seems, dead bodies begin showing up all over the country and the fun begins. This novel is lightweight fun and a welcome interlude from my usual fare like the very heavy Indignation by Philip Roth that I've had in my cd player.

I've got to get ready for work now - Ann and I to lunch today as we discuss my evaluation. 16 years with the LCLS. I can't believe it. I remember my interview so long ago and the way I obsessed over it - how badly I wanted this job - the joy of going back to school - the pride of accomplishment. How many of us can still feel that way so many years later? Even though there's a freeze on raises and hiring I still aspire to see that final determination "exceeds expectations." Will I get more money? Not. Will Ann keep me on the payroll? I expect so.

Up next? Julia Glass.