This year I'm unofficially taking part in 50bookchallenge, where the goal is to read at least 50 books in a year. I'm always reading something and almost all of my books are either science fiction or fantasy. I like to read all of the Hugo and Nebula novel nominees, as well as the book recommendations on SFsite.com and anything else that strikes my fancy. So I'm writing this entry, predated December 31st 2008 to keep it on the top of my journal, to post what I've read, a brief synopsis, and what I thought of it. Here goes!

( Entire list under the cut )

After being confronted by not one but two mods on GW, I've realized that I cannot even insinuate on that forum that there may be conflict between the SGA PTB and one or more actors. Even though Torri stated that she kept on going to the writers asking for more, they waved her away, and later that season they told her she could drop to recurring or leave. Even though JF has made numerous comments at cons about how TPTB no longer do script read-throughs, that his ideas often get rebutted into oblivion, etc etc. Nope, zip it at GW. You aren't allowed to infer that conflicts have occurred or are still occurring. The only assumptions that are apparently allowed are that everything is peachy keen in real life, people are never dumped or otherwise insulted because they don't get along with the people in charge, everyone loves everyone. If you think otherwise, you have to keep your damn mouth shut. Got it. Pass the kool-aid, eh?

And I love how people indirectly slam comments by gushing over their rebuttals. Simpering, "oh, your post was GREAT! So full of LOGIC and COMMON SENSE!" or "Finally, a post with some SANITY!" Bunch of cowards.

Okay, there's been enough angst in here with all this housing shit. Time to post things that make me happy:

-After a slow start (is anyone else having a delayed spring this year?) the trees are budding, the tulips are starting to open, and the grass is green! The crabapple trees should blossom next week (see journal header)! The birds are out in full force! We saw our first egret and heron last weekend!

-WE ORDERED THE CANON 500MM LENS YESTERDAY OMG. Yes, this lens. Yes, I had to ask for a limit increase on my credit card in order to purchase it. O_O Oh, I can't wait to use it!

-Trip up to the cities this weekend, complete with bird watching, shopping, and all around relaxation!

-My final day in lab is June 2, which means I get about 20 days off before starting orientation. Freedom!

-My entire family is coming up next weekend for the MD/PhD graduation! I'm so excited!

-New 30 Rock tonight, yay!

-New BSG tomorrow, yay!

The bf has put in another offer on home #1, now $15K below asking price (and $20K more than our original offer). They may still not budge, but we pointed out to our agent that a) the home needs some repairs (floor, carpet, etc) and we'd be foolish to pay the whole price because of that and b) we may be the seller's only offer in a while, our financing is solid, and we can take possession immediately.

Back to the waiting game. Between this and BSG I'm going to be spamming the hell out of my Lj today. :)

We just put in a bid for our #1 house and the agents and seller are meeting on it right now.

We bid $30 K below the asking price.

They've been meeting for over an hour.

*nervous as hell*

The bf and I went to a swanky wedding reception last weekend. Interlachen golf course, live band, flowers everywhere, tons of food. I liked how they did the food - there were four tables in the main room with small bites of all sorts of tasty things. Sushi, curried beef in coconut shells, asian lettuce wraps, salmon, lamb, pineapple, cilantro apple chicken salad. And the dessert table had a huge stack of cupcakes, chocolate dipped strawberries, and chocolate covered cheesecake bites. It was much more fun than being served formally at tables.

And it had an open bar, where I discovered 1 large glass of shiraz + 1 chocolate martini = very tipsy toaster! I should have stopped with the wine, but I couldn't turn down a free martini! :)



( Anyway, last Friday's BSG eppy! )

Oh my goodness, I think we found someone who wants to buy our condo! And she's offering our asking price, minus the cost to install a washer/dryer in the second bathroom! Hurray!

But she would like to move in toward the end of June, which means we really have to move on getting a home of our own! We really like one in particular - great location, fully finished, landscaped yard, LOVELY kitchen, but I'm worried about the price. It's the most expensive home we're seriously considering. So we're torn between going for this more expensive home with everything done and pretty much everything we want or going for a cheaper home that we don't like as much. We definitely need to make offers by next week.

Also, does anyone know how long it can take to go from finalizing an offer to closing? That time frame where we would get an inspection and get the loan approved and the title set up and all that? I've read all sorts of ranges, from 3 weeks to 3 months. I'm worried we may be cutting things close.

I've been stressed about this whole thing for a while now. I've been sleeping like crap and having constant dreams of touring homes, ack. I'll be happier once we make a decision and figure out what our budget would be with a mortgage, utilities, insurance, and all that other stuff.

Mr. Bright: "Are you a Republican or Democrat, Kenneth?"
Kenneth: "Oh, no sir, I don’t vote Republican or Democrat. Choosing is a sin, so I always write in the Lord's name."
Jack: "That's Republican, we count those."

Oh 30 Rock, I love you so.

A more detailed examination of BSG's "The Ties That Bind" under the cut

( Yep, the Lee hate is STRONG with this one. )

FRAKKING SHIT!!!

O_O O_O

More when I get my jaw off the floor.