Reading is fundamental

A bunch of randomness, because I'm overly caffeinated and, at the same time, in need of a nap and thus incapable of putting together a coherent, single-topic post:

* Sarah Vowell's new book is wonderful and funny and dark and basically a history lesson of America from 1860 through about 1913. Which means she's making a huge amount of money being a huge honking geek, although admittedly a geek who can turn thoughts to words better than most of us -- and make Chester Arthur seem interesting.

The book, on CD, was actually a birthday gift to Judybat from our friend Andrew, otherwise known as Kid Beyond, although we're refusing to call him that on general principle. It has become the object of some debate here in the not-really-small green house on 21st Avenue. I put the book on my iPod figuring it would be a while before the family set out on any long, book-on-tape-worthy road trips, given that we're pretty much walking everywhere we go. But Judybat seems to think I should have waited and shared it with her.

And, as I'm writing this, I'm realizing she's probably right. Ack. Sorry. How selfish.

* Today I made the mistake of going to Costco hungry. As a result, we now have more flour tortillas, mini bagels and English muffins than anyone, outside of perhaps the entire population of a carb-deprived Third World country, needs. I always look forward to Costco-ing, and then have a hellish experience that leaves me determined never to go back. Because, really, how many free samples can one person eat in an afternoon?

* Some words I enjoy: Blimp, yank, poop (a current favorite throughout the household), feline, ox (but not ax), beast, buff, Beowulf, gourd. And let's not forget the most wonderful world in the entire language: Leeeeeeemur.

See: A true bunch of randomness.