It's things like this that make me think that maybe we should never count Florida's votes for anything ever again.

Book Log 2008 #19: The Overseer by Jonathan Rabb

Very disappointing conspiracy thriller, whose premise - a 16th century text that provides a blueprint for world domination is being implemented by a trio of powerful men under the direction of the titular figure - is interesting. Its execution, however, is not.

The Overseer is one of those thrillers where everything happens or is described in some sort of superlative fashion, hoping that a litany of things that happen at the last second or involve the best or worst of something will provide a sense of motion or energy that aren't actually there. The characters are pretty standard - evil old men and young, relatively attractive protagonists who develop the required romantic interest in each other - and not particularly interesting. The sinister plot itself is never fully explained, which isn't necessary but would have helped given the fragmented and vague references to parts of it (though I was amused by the repeated referenced to the first trial, thanks to it being constantly put in italics).

It's never a good sign when you consider giving up on a book when you're three-quarters or more of the way through. I fought the impulse to do so expecting a payoff that never came, and really wasn't likely given the several hundred pages that came previously. Save yourself the trouble and don't bother picking this one up.

Book Log 2008 #18: Civil War Fantastic by Martin H. Greenburg (ed.)

At first I was pleasantly surprised that this collection of Civil War alternative history stories didn't include some of the familiar favorites like "Bring the Jubilee," but I should have taken that as a sign. None of the stories here come close to that story's level, and only a handful were particularly interesting.

It's not really worth seeking out, but if you come across it and have need for a reasonably diverting book of short stories, it's worth a browse.

So a while back I mentioned that I'd been selected for federal jury duty, and that I was trying to get a deferment as it fell right during our May graduation. Turns out my concerns were adjudged reasonable, as the feds have allowed me to push things back by a couple of weeks. It was a quick and painless sort of deal, quite unlike the stereotypical bureaucratic nightmare.

So, of course, the state judicial system had to jump in and ruin the moment by summoning me for jury duty in July.

It may not be all that bad, as one of the categories for dismissal from state service is currently scheduled jury service. It just wasn't clear if federal jury duty counts, but I'm going to give it a go. I'm not expecting much.

Book Log 2008 #17: Instruments of Darkness by Robert Wilson

While I can't make the claim the publisher does that this book echoes Raymond Chandler (note to self: read some Raymond Chandler), I did very much enjoy this book, Wilson's first novel.

It's the start of a four book series featuring Bruce Medway, a professional middleman working in West Africa whose more usual work - brokering trade deals of varying legitimacy - intersects with his less usual work - finding people - with the sort of results you might expect from working with such dubious characters.

It's a lot less introspective than Wilson's later works - especially the Falcon series, where the crime is often second fiddle - though there's room for that to open up over the next three books. It was a solid beach read if you need something more than the standard vacuous thriller.

It's apparently National Library Week, which seems like one of those things I should know, being kind of a library geek.

Not much more to add to that, other than you think they'd come up with a better slogan. But I suppose there's a reason why they're working with books rather than writing them. At least they got it trademarked, what with the market for bootleg National Library Week merch.

Seriously, though, if you've not been to your local library recently, this seems like a good week to stop in.

Book Log 2008 #16: Stalin's Ghost by Martin Cruz Smith

This is the latest novel featuring Moscow police detective Arkady Renko, in which he finds himself tangled up with new Russian politics when people report seeing Joseph Stalin in a Moscow subway station. These sightings become connected to a police colleague and Chechnya war hero who is running for parliament, and raise further questions about the colleague's actions in Chechnya. There's also a personal element to the case, as Renko's girlfriend knows the colleague from Chechnya, and seems to be more interested in being with him than with Renko.

Another solid outing in the series.

From the NCAA 2006-08 Men & Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations, Rule 6 Section 18:

"A goal shall be allowed if the puck has been directed into the goal by an attacking player with the skate, unless a distinct kicking motion is used."

Sadly, there's no further clarification on what makes a distinct kicking motion, though based on tonight's game it seems to include a puck hitting a foot that isn't moving towards the goal. Dammit.

While some use the term Hockey Christmas in reference to the Frozen Four, last night's results made it more like Hockey Whatever Holiday Involves Repeated Knees to the Groin. I thankfully did not see much of the first game (got a score early in the third period and turned it off), and watched enough of the second to be both irritated at Notre Dame at blowing a 3-0 lead and Michigan for not getting to the final, as I'd assumed they'd be a more daunting opponent for that other team.

In any case, the final tally:

Coen, M 13
Nichols 13
Barker 12
De Veau 12
Hight 12
Burger 11
Rosenberg 11
Sorenson 11
Bruce 9
Boggie 7
Coen, S 6

I win on the first tiebreak, as I correctly guessed 8 games, and Kelly only picked 7.

So all of this sets up what seems to be the national title game of haterade for most folks. I, of course, will be rooting for Notre Dame, but I can understand that some of you may not be able to do this. I just ask that you not root for that other team, if possible.

Book Log 2008 #15: Last Seen Wearing by Colin Dexter

In this, the second book in the series, Morse is called in to take over a missing persons case involving a 17 year old girl. The case is over two years old, but has been the focus of renewed interest based on new information - apparently supplied by the missing girl herself.

It's pretty classic Morse, which is pretty impressive given that is only the second book in the series. I did feel like the solution came from a little bit out of left field, but the overall entertainment value is high enough to forgive that.

You may remember back in the fall I asked for suggestions on a location for a warm weather vacation. Or you may not, given the dearth of suggestions (thanks again to you happy few who did chip in your two cents). Either way, this past week was the week of the warm weather vacation, which saw us go to the Dominican Republic to stay at a resort on the Playa Dorada, which lies on the north coast near Puerto Plata.

I'm not sure if I'll recap the trip here, actually write something up separately, or do as I've done for last summer's trip to Devon and think happy thoughts about a write up before letting it pass. We'll see how motivated I can get to do something.

Anyway, happy to be back, or at least as happy as can be given that it's in the 40s and drizzling.