I think I left off with Stephen King's latest. After that I think I tried getting into Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Idiot. It reminded me too much of Pride and Prejudice, a bunch of high society goings on, centered on one near perfect character, the one they call the idiot. I didn't finish it, only got through a couple of hours before I realized I really didn't want to get into that sort of story just yet. So, making the decision to put it 'back on the shelf', I went into Black Creek Crossing by John Saul. Pretty good, though it took a while to get into it. It was average length, but the characters were just too narrow at first. It's about two teenagers that everyone picks on relentlessly, a little too relentlessly. Even their parents, way too narrow. When he finally gets out of plot development, he gets to the plot in earnest, and is too simple. I guess when I say 'good' I mean good idea, so-so writing.

Then I did Cleopatra's Nose by Daniel Boorstin. It was a short one and figured I could make it through without too much difficulty. Not what I expected. Next I'm going to try Colleen McCullough's First Man in Rome. My wife said she tried it but it was too much for her. We'll see. I'm hoping I'll find it interesting since I've done so much reading about ancient Rome.

My wife and I were at a party the other day thrown by someone she works with. One of her friend's husband suggested I get into nursing. I told him I wouldn't be able to deal with the stupid patients. Upon further reflection I have come to the conclusion that I wouldn't be able to deal with the pompous doctors. I mean I had to deal with the officers in the Marine Corps, and I couldn't wait to get away. Don't get me wrong, a lot of officers were ok, but it's the bad apples that spoiled it for all of them. Some just walk around assuming they are better than others, and it shows. That in itself didn't bother me, although it bothers me more all the time. What made it difficult was that you had to deal with some of them, and when a person wasn't as compliant as they thought they should be, they didn't react well. My wife tells me about some of the doctors she works with, and I'd not last long before speaking my mind.

Off to see Micheal Moore's new film. I'm sure I'll have lots to say about that one. Jon Stewart had him on the show Wednesday, that was pretty cool.....