X-Men Ultimates
30.Jan.08
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Taking a bit of a break from the graphic novels, I picked up the collections for Ultimate X-Men (Vol. 1
The “Ultimate” series seem to be aimed at rebooting the various characters. Cleaning up the bios, removing the tangled or inconsistent story arcs of the past decades and generally starting over. (more from Wikipedia) These two X-Men collections were my first introduction to the Ultimates, but I think I’ll be picking more up as time goes on.
The superhero comics were never a big draw to me as a kid. Frankly, I read more of the Archie and Richie Rich stuff — and Mad and Cracked of course… As an alleged adult, however, I find them much more interesting. I’m curious to see where this leads me. Am I going to transform into someone who knows where his local comic shop is?!?
On the literary front (aka books without pretty pictures), I’m halfway through Stephen King’s Duma Key and loving it.It is a nice big thick monster but I was hooked in almost immediately.
I Gave Up
26.Jan.08
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I did something last night that I very rarely do: I gave up on a book. Not even a fourth of the way in, but I can’t take it any more and it is going back to the library later today. Unfinished. Unloved. I’m disappointed.
The book is Patricia Cornwell’s Book of the Dead and is the latest in the “Scarpetta” series. Back in the 90’s I loved this series, but at some point Cornwell has decided to steal all the fun out of reading. This series used to be a lot of fun with Kay Scarpetta as sort of a modern “Quincy M.E.” doing all that cool stuff that is so popular with the forensics shows these days. Oh sure, there were also some emo touches but the books were still enjoyable.
The last few in the series have been downers, but I hung in there, hoping for daylight. I can’t do it anymore.
I could only recommend this book to someone desperate to go total immersion into a middle-aged woman’s angst and full-blown depression. If you need an excuse to fall off the wagon and start drinking again — or feel that life is just a bit too good then, by all means, read it. I personally think the lights dim a bit when I open the cover.
Last time I did this was about 4 books into the Terry Goodkind series… I felt about the same way then, too.
This Despair.com page seems appropriate.
Weight Update
24.Jan.08
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It has been over a month since I last mentioned where I was on the weight loss quest. Mainly because of the holidays — I kinda went backwards for a few weeks. Heh, oops.
No worries though, I “re-lost” that weight and moved on. I’m pleased to say that yesterday I hit the 35 pounds lost mark. Amazing, I hadn’t realized I was that far gone…
I’m thinking 10 more pounds would be about right, then I can get back to hitting the weights. I feel like such a slacker at the gym these days just doing treadmill and cross-trainer machines! Getting caught up on podcasts though, so I guess it’s all good.
Here’s my number one most commonly used “diet chow” meal.
- 2 Mission 96% Fat Free Taco Shells
- 1/2 cup Refried beans (frankly, I don’t bother with the Fat Free versions)
- 1/2 cup Kraft FREE shredded cheddar cheese (I’m not sure there’s actually any dairy in this stuff…)
- A bunch of medium or hot taco sauce
Prep is pretty easy and I tend to assemble it two different ways.
Way 1 - Bean and cheese burritos: Nuke the beans for 25 seconds. Put half the beans and half the cheese on each shell. Add a bunch of sauce and roll ‘em up. Nuke for 30 more seconds.
Way 2 - Bean and cheese quesadillas: Spread the beans on one shell evenly. Then spread the cheese evenly and dump on the sauce to taste. Give a shot of cooking spray(fat free natch) to the heated griddle and toast both sides. Sometimes I might add a spoonful of fat free sour cream on top when done.
Those ingredients work out to be about 450 calories, 3.5 grams of fat and 8 protein. about 7 or 8 points if you’re into the Weight Watchers scene. Nutritionally? Pretty null, but great for filling up and I swear, I could live of this stuff (granted, I’m lazy and like quick and easy meals!).
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