Steve hates moving, edition 10.

I hate moving.

While the new place is always something I've looked forward to, it doesn't change the fact that the actual process to moving is always a horrible, horrible thing. Every time I'm about to move, I promise myself that this time, it'll be different and easier, but this is seldom the case.

I was actually semi-good for me this time. We got permission to move into our new place on Wednesday, a couple days earlier than what I thought, which was Saturday. So, I moved a couple boxes over Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

However, despite this early progress, I'm still left with a whole bunch of crap. Sigh. At least it is a bearable 77 degrees, as opposed to my past couple of moves, which were in 90-degree heat. (Note: That type of stupid coincidence takes more than dumb luck. Rhode Island doesn't get 90-degree heat EVERY summer, yet the last three moves I had done, it was that hot each day. I have a talent for planning important things on bad days.)

Anyway, I think I have two trips left, and then I'll be completely moved out. Wish me well, folks!

The picture is from this site that tries to hook up geeks with women. Oh sweet irony!

Steve tries to see what Mrs. McGillicuddy saw

I've been trying to get back in the swing of reading, especially since some of the blogs I like to regularly read focus on books. I'm referring mostly to Dibbly Fresh and Literary Crap, although there are others that I follow, so I apologize if I've overlooked you!

Unfortunately though, I've misplaced by library card. While I'm enough of a regular at my local library - the excellent Cross Mills in scenic Charlestown, Rhode Island - that they'll let me take books out by just using my license, it does mean that I can't put books on hold. Similar to most state library systems, in Rhode Island you can use the computer system to request books from any state library, and they'll be delivered to your local library. The system also has VHS tapes, CDs and DVDs, making it a great way to see some classic flicks as well.

So, I had to settle for grabbing a book from the stacks. While I love detective shows like Criminal Intent, I haven't read many detective stories. The only Agatha Christie book I've read before is And Then There Were None (12 Little Indians), so I checked out What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw (also known as 4.50 From Paddington). I'm only a couple chapters in, but it's interesting so far, although a bit slow-moving. Also, I'm quite pleased that everyone is so prim and proper. Smashing, really!

Anyway, I'll give a full book review when I'm finished reading. Sure, the book came out in 1957, but that's no reason to deny it a proper review! I'm also planning a future entry on the stunning revival of MTV's programming schedule, thanks to Warren The Ape and The Hard Times of R.J. Berger, and an entry on The Boondocks cartoon, and the new Loveline host Psycho Mike, and Dave Dameshek's podcast Daves of Thunder, and Columbo and Top Chef, and Justified...

... heck, I have a lot of stuff to write about.

Extra, extra! Squirrel eats bird!

When you live in the rural portion of Rhode Island like I do, sometimes you have to deal with some aggressive wildlife. In particular, the squirrels around here are large, vicious creatures. My mom is in a constant struggle with them, since they manage to infiltrate all of her bird feeders.

For example, this one is about six, six-and-a-half feet off the ground. Meaning, for the squirrel to get to it, it shimmied up on to the roof of the house and then jumped from the gutter to the feeder. Persistent little bastards, aren't they?

The ones at the University of Rhode Island, where I graduated from, are even bigger and even more brazen. Because so many students feed them, they barely flinch unless you get up close and personal in their bidness. They are monstrous looking things, with big bulging eyes and stretched-out fur, since squirrels probably aren't meant to be that large.