i really hate long distance car travel

Sunday evening was spent listening to an intimate gig by Wendy Rule (accompanied by cellist Rachel Saunders) at The Singing Gallery in McLaren Vale. Nice and relaxed, with plenty of old favourites as well as trying out a couple of really new and previously untried pieces. I have to admit I a have a really soft spot for female singers accompanied by cello (which was why I've been tempted to go see Persephone live for a while now). Incidentally she has a new meditation CD out now, but I wouldn't bother with it unless you really really like meditation music. I'd still stick with the older CDs (Zero and Deity) or the latest bar one (The Wolf Sky) [although I do have to admit I did like The Dance of the Wild Faeries in her shared album Deep Within A Faerie Forest]. She waxed enthusiastically about the cohesiveness of the local pagan community, and how she always enjoyed her trips over here. Apparently she also ran a ritual workshop beforehand which those in attendance found interesting. She will be back to play with Spiral Dance and local (if Port Lincoln is in fact able to be considered local) band Triple Aspect in March.

dragon, krang, or sea goat?

One of the problems I currently have is an inability to concentrate for a long period of time. This is making it rather difficult to read books (among other things). I find this rather irritating, since it takes me a lot longer to finish a book than it used to. So I just picked up copies of Simon R Green's Hell To Pay, Alan Dean Foster's Trouble Magnet, and Naomi Novik's Empire of Ivory. In addition I really should finish off the book that was lent to me almost two months ago, especially since I shall probably she the lender who forced in on me tomorrow. Not that Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart is a bad book (actually the customs and nature of the various pseudo-historical peoples are very well researched, which is proof that the best artists steal), but the characters are rather archetypical and the situation is rather typical. Even worse, there is more than a touch of author wish fulfillment identification with the main protagonist. I'd say this is a difficult choice to make as to what to read next, except ... Simon R Green! [1] [1] I hope that my favourite characters will make an appearance: Bruin Bear and the Sea Goat. I especially loved it when they even managed to make an appearance in the Deathstalker series – a transition that you really wouldn't have suspected. Edit: <tee hee> Yes they did appear, and, as normal, the Sea Goat was his usually impecable self at a High Society party.