hearts and bones

- I had a really weird moment on Sunday when I realized that Rob Gronkowski, the new tight end for the New England Patriots, is the same Rob Gronkowski I went to high school with. It was kind of odd seeing his face on the TV when they first introduced him during the Patriots/Bills game, because I remember that guy as being the absolute toolbox who continually knocked his forehead on doorways and threatened to stuff McBuff in a locker sophomore year – not the ass-kicking, touchdown-making monster the public knows today. Huh. Times change, I guess, but it's still kind of strange.

- Against my better judgment, I bought Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter on Saturday. And as surprising as it might sound, it actually turned out to be kind of enjoyable. I had fairly low expectations, honestly, because I absolutely hated Seth Grahame-Smith’s first “novel,” Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I love zombie-fiction as much as the next person (and I know I’m a little biased because I don’t like Jane Austen all that much to begin with), but come on, guys: that book was terrible. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is at least a readable book – sure, it’s full of badly photoshopped pictures, Vampire!John Wilkes Booth, and the “real reason” for Lincoln ending slavery in the South having to do with bloodsucking fiends, but the pacing is good, there aren’t any random ninjas, and Grahame-Smith is consistently spelling the lead character’s name right. As a total grammar freak, that really, really bothered me in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies because even I know that it is Elizabeth Bennet. Not “Benet” or even “Bennett.” If you’re going to use one spelling of the name, either use the right one or make sure it’s consistent throughout the damn book and not changing with every other page. Anyway, now I want to read an actual biography of Lincoln…not just one where he’s fighting hordes of the undead every five pages or so. The man led a fascinating life. I’ve heard some good things about Lincoln, and Team of Rivals looks like it could be very interesting.

- After learning that Harper had never seen it before, she and I had a Firefly marathon not too long ago. Recently, I’ve been told that I am an awful, awful android person because she has had Jayne Cobb on the brain ever since and is seriously considering writing fanfiction. Which totally wasn’t my intention at all…*shifty eyes* I think she’s just mad that she now has legitimate nerd cred, and can no longer claim that she’s just the weird mutant offspring of a punk and a hippie. Again, totally not my intention...nooo...

- I might be going to Israel in the spring! There are these things called Birthright Tours, and if you can prove that you’re really Jewish, the Taglit-Birthright Organization will actually pay for you to stay in Israel for ten days. The only thing I would need actual money for is the $250 deposit and if I want to buy something while I’m over there. Seriously, this is all legit, and there are a dozen different programs you can travel with. If you qualify, definitely look into it, because if you’re between the ages of 18 and 26, Jewish, have a valid passport, and have never been to the country before, chances are pretty good that they’ll give you a plane ticket to Tel Aviv. :o)

- My award came in the mail last week! It is glass and book-shaped and a lot heavier than I expected it to be, but it came in a fancy box and it has my name on it! Here are some pictures, because I am incredibly vain proud of this: