Reading lists.

On the sidebar, I list books that I'm reading. I don't quite know why I do that, except that I hope that what interests me will also interest others.
And, I try to do a fairly ruthless bit of culling. I don't read things that bore me or insult my intelligence, or just plain are a waste of time. So anything I list, I recommend.
Sooo. Fiction is OUT. Except for rare instances. I find reality far more interesting than fantasy. With the possible exception of some SF writers. (That's science fiction, not the fantasy stuff; and not many of them either.)
And yes, I customarily read three or four books concurrently. Usually on unrelated (at least superficially) topics. And I read at about 45-50 pages per hour, so I go through a LOT of material.
At the moment, de Waals book about primatology has some interesting insights - for me anyway - about human nature. Especially as I usually bemoan the prevalence of "knuckle-draggers" here in my city of residence. I think I just might prefer Bonobos.
Ajami's book has a refreshing viewpoint on Iraq and the Middle East. As someone with a "foot-in-both-camps" as it were, he speaks with some authority. And he writes lucidly.
Westwick's book is actually a history of JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab) in relatively recent years. Straight history. Dry. But since I've been interested in space and astronomy since I was in single-digits, it holds me, at least for a half-hour at a time.

Geek is not Gabbing...

I'm a little concerned, I guess.
It seems that Geek Gab has vanished into the mist, along with the gorillas.
I miss him.

ASpie inclusiveness/third options.

I was just reading a little from Autista http://aoskoli.blogspot.com/ about the inclusive thinking of MK. Son #2 (who has a fairly high ASpie score, although I'm still higher nyuk nyuk) does the equivalent (always has) in a different fashion:
Would you like a coke?
Maybe.
Would you like fried or boiled potatoes?
OK.
Would you like a coffee or a tea?
No.
And I can't think of an example offhand, but always there was the "third choice". Whatever the binary option presented, he would come up with a third unstated option. Sometimes a combination of the two choices offered, but usually a viable alternative that was totally un-thought-of.
OK, maybe this will give the idea...
Would you like fried or boiled potatoes?
Mashed.
Aaargh. Can be very exasperating when you don't actually have the third option available.

A teeny weeny bit.

Well, it's been a bit. Mostly general lack of motivation. It seems that others often say what I think better than I can say it, so - what the hey -why should I?
Anyway, some tidbits (strange word that...) for y'all.


That's for starters. And then there's this spectacular pic:


That's the working bits of an F-22, just in case you wondered. BTW, that's the best way to see it if you're opfor - going the other way. 'Course, it might just be turning back toward you.

And for those who know me at all, there's my opinion of girl singers.

And when I think of all the girl signers in the world, I get "understandably depressed" as Pete Barbutti used to say.

Especially when this state of mind happens:

Been there. Sometimes I think I am there now. Sigh.