1 Hour 59 minutes 47 seconds...

GG had a fantastic run on a surprisingly demanding course. He did a half marathon in central California. His goal was to do it in 2 hours and beat his previous time of 2 hours and 10 minutes. I'm here to tell you he completed his 13.1 miles in 1 hour 59 minutes and 47 seconds. Yes, 13 seconds to spare and he met his goal. That's my man. A planner AND an achiever. Gotta love that.

I did read this weekend. Two saucy books.

The first one I tried was HOT PROPERTY by Susan Johnson. Ummm... This was disappointing. I hadn't heard anything about the book. Unless, Kate is this the one you were talking about at RWA? Anyway, I'm two-thirds through it and not much interested in finishing it. I used to love her historicals. Anyone remember those Russian historicals she wrote forever ago?

Eons ago I read some Anya Bast when she was writing for Ellora's Cave. Taking a quick peak at her web site I see she still writes for EC. Anyway, I hadn't tortured myself with a vamp book in a while and picked up THE CHOSEN SIN. Interesting book. It's pretty explicit but not without a decent story and two interesting characters. I have to give props to Ms. Bast for creating a pretty complete vamp futuristic and not succumbing to campiness. It was an interesting take on vampires in the future. I was sufficiently taken in that I would read another book set in this world.

So I'm feeling pretty good that I got to read this weekend. I always feel a little more like myself when I do. Reading soothes me so much. I can't believe how relaxing it is for me.

In other news the shine has definitely worn off TRUE BLOOD. I don't know why they have to be so explicit. Am I getting old? What do you all think? You've probably been talking about it and I'm clueless.

There I was standing in the morning mist this past Saturday as GG took off on his run. While I waited I decided to fire up my phone check email and the news. Even knowing he had been ill recently I was stunned to read that Paul Newman had died. It made me very sad. I adored his work in movies like THE LONG HOT SUMMER and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Lordy. Wonderful. I admired his charitable work and success in keeping his private life...private. He never made an "easy" movie. They were all character driven and intense. It feels like the end of an era to me. My sympathy and sorrow for their loss go out to his friends and family.

If you have a few minutes you should really check this out.