This is not the post you are looking for...

So, I'll have to write some other time about The Great Gatsby. I've just finished reading The Spiderwick Chronicles, which i must say, were a pretty fun read. the original series is 5 books long. you could easily read one a night before bed (which is what i did). they are definitely short enough to be considered "Middle Reader" reading material, but more than worthwhile for adults.

there are pictures on about every other page and the chapter titles are pretty fun (In Which We Almost Break the Fourth Wall). the general plot is about two 11 year old twin boys, their teenage sister and their very recently divorced mother who move away from NYC to a dilapidated house somewhere in small town america (i forget where). the house belongs to the mother's aunt, who has been sent to an asylum because she refused to eat, claiming little people brought her food that made normal human food pale in comparison.

needless to say, the aunty wasn't lying, and the first five books comprise the adventures had by the three children after having found a field guide to fairie in a hidden room in the house. each book stands on it's own, but leaves just enough hints that you feel compelled to read the next one. in the end, the three kids fight an ogre to save their mom... and all civilization as we know it.

it's all told in the third person, and mostly from the perspective of the twin who inadvertently always gets in to trouble, often for things he did not do, though not always undeservedly.

these are some very entertaining books, especially if you're looking for something fun and light.

also, you can read a fun Q&A w/the authors here.

Volkswagen Jetta

my friend is contemplating purchasing a jetta. here are my reasons why and why not...

Reasons to get a jetta:

• They're small and fun to drive
• It's a solid frame and can take a hit
• We have the cold weather package, w/seat heaters for the front seats.
• Black leather interior is nice.
• 400 miles to the tank when oil freshly changed AND travelling constantly between 70 and 80 MPH
  

Reasons to NOT get a jetta:

• They're small. Don't think you're going to cart your taller than 5'10" friends around in the back seat, or much anything else. We can barely fit one 80lb bale of hay in the trunk. 2 large suitcases fit only w/much maneuvering, and only b/c the one is tall and skinny. You cannot easily fit a bicycle in the car. Only by putting the back seats down, and then, only just. We have carried 9 foot pine trees for the winter holidays, but only by putting the seats down and have the trunk of the tree touch the dashboard and having 3 or 4 feet dragging behind the car. Sap on your dash = BAD.
  
• Good luck finding a good mechanic
• Expensive upkeep.
  
• Full of specialty parts, including special pink coolant, wiper fluid, light bulbs
• Electrical system seems slightly faulty and very dependent on the temperature. When it's cold, some features seem to not work right (b/c the wires shrink). Many people report frequent bulb/fuse shorts for lighting.
  
• Many recalled parts over the years (we have a 2000)
• Door locks stick in warmer weather.
• It's more expensive than a hybrid (or was in 2000)
• Not very fuel efficient, especially for town traffic (speeds less than 65 mph).
  
• The plastic/rubber parts of the interior seem to scratch easily.
• The cup holders completely broke within the first year after we purchased this vehicle. They're over $100 to replace.
  

i think that's all i've got for now. please comment. i know i might...

Duty Calls (XKCD)

two posts

i had 2 posts 2 write, but i can only remember one:

• i just finished reading "The Great Gatsby"

oh wait, i just remembered:

• thoughts on the VW jetta for andrew, who is contemplating purchasing one...

look for those in the future.