The Interweb Rools

I've been all gaga and frothing at the mouth about Facebook for the last couple weeks, madly telling everyone it's the best implementation of the internet yet.

And it is. Truly.

But this is even better: Kiva

Thanks to Drew for the link.

Byzantium Redux

Early this morning, I finally finished Guy Gavriel Kay's Sarantine Mosaic (comprised of Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emperors, and foisted upon me by dear Drew).

So, that's what, three years to read two books?

Sheesh.

Possible: I was avoiding the ending because I didn't really want to leave my first experience of these characters behind forever.

True: Guy Gavriel Kay takes his sweet time, often. I skipped the first 50 pages of Sailing to Sarantium because I couldn't find a protagonist, only to realize, a book and a half later, that this is Kay's genius - choosing an event, then triangulating its meaning through the multiple and varied perspectives of a diverse cast.

He spreads the love, does the Kay.

Looking at his new one, Ysabel, I don't see a smidgen of the technique thus far, but the tone and approach seem more YA. Should be interesting to see where he takes it.

Anyhoo, thank you Drew, for introducing me to a talent I'd missed. A Canuck talent, at that!

And to Teresa, if she's reading: you may be right, about reading.

The. Shillelagh.

Secret. Weapon.

Blood. Brawl.

Mini. Nerds.

Your. Rulers.

Tube. Time.

Desert. Sightings.

[zzzzt] Sighted. [chikkity] Today. [ker-chunk]

[a-chicka] Stephen. Reese. [k-bzzt]

[zzt] With. [ker-chicka] Drew Thompson. [chunk-chunk]

[chicka-chikkity] They near. [kzzt]





[chunk-chunk-chicka] Distance. [zzt] From Sandbowl. [chikkity]

[bzt] 8 miles. [chicka-chunk]

[k-chikkity] Orders? [zzt]

Vampyric. Horse.

[k-chunk] When U saddle, I whole. [chikkity]

[zzzt] Before U, is nothing. [bzzt]

[zzt] Grip Ur legs, direct. [chicka-chicka] Together we one. [chunk-k-chunk] Between legs, power harness. Reduce I. Control. [chikkity chikkity chikkity] Ur right, rider. Make jump. Steer I. [zzt]

[chunk-chunk] If I balk, strike. Snap whip to rump. Drive Ur heels to flanks. [a-chicka-chicka-chicka] If I good, feed. Pet. [bzzt] Stroke long nose. Slap sides. Show I wanted. [chikkity]

[ker-thunk-thunk] Now. Mount pommel. Part of I. [bzzzt] Rest Ur center on. Feel rumble. Steady, steady. [a-chicka-chicka-chicka] I thud hooves. Roll back. Tense muscle. [zzt] Vibrate steady. [zt]

[chikkity] Now. Give Ur essence. Feel juice drain down. [bzzt-chunk-chunk] I drink deep, master. [chikkity chunk-chunk] I not empty U. Enough for all days. [bzz-zzt] This union. [chunk-chicka]

[zzz] The coupling. [tzz]

[ker-chunk] U ride. I suck. [chikkity chikkity chikkity]

[chicka-chicka] Give Ur energy, give U obedience. [chunk-chunk]

[chikkity] Fast and true. [a-chicka]

[tzzz-zzt] All days. [clunk]

Smalltown Boy

Tooling around Airdrie tonight with Drew looking for retail space to house the possible GameNow West, I was struck by how comfortable I felt. Don't get me wrong - the last two years have forever imprinted on me the value and convenience of downtown, big-city living - but there's something about climbing out of a car and onto the tarmac of a strip-mall parking lot, something primal and cellular, that says I am home.

Even the older, more run-down sections of town were still more appealing to me than similarly aged and worn neighborhoods in the nearby metropolis I inhabit. These kids on their skateboards; these families with a prebuilt nestled in a suburb just over there - these folk are familiar to me. I know where they come from.

Or at least, I know where I come from. Take the boy outta the small town, but you can't take the small town outta the boy.