Currently reading: Nothing, which is really weird.

I have a stack of books to get to, but for some reason none of them are compelling me to get started. I ought to be reading now while I can--classes start tomorrow, so I'll be up to my eyeballs in mandatory reading. Maybe that's why I don't want to start any fun books, I'll just have to put them down!

Currently reading: "Redemption Alley" by Lilith Saintcrow

This is the third of the Jill Kismet series; I'm really enjoying it so far. I'm sure when I finish it I'll be impatient for the next one. But I'll try to put off reading it, since it just came out last month and then I'll be stuck waiting!

Next on the shelf:
Royal Road To Fotheringhay by Jean Plaidy
Living With The Dead by Kelley Armstrong
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
And hopefully, textbooks!

Short book review: "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain

If you're not interested in food, cooking, and kitchens--or if you haven't worked in a restaurant--you probably won't find this book interesting. A lot of people would probably be nothing but offended at some of what Bourdain has to say about restaurants. Bourdain talks about how he first became interested in food, his path through the Culinary Institute of America and then through an array of kitchens; he talks about his years of drug addiction, and encounters with the mob in New York's restaurant business. In the second half of the book is when non-foodies will probably lose their focus, as Bourdain describes a typical day for him, and talks about the people who work for him in the kitchen. That was my favorite part, in contrast--although I've worked only in fairly crappy restaurants, nothing as exciting and sophisticated as Les Halles, I could still relate.

In short the book is interesting, and often funny, and sarcastic; it's foul-mouthed and honest, and was well worth the read.

Currently reading: "Eclipse" by Stephenie Meyer

Yes, I am slightly ashamed. But I wanted to re-read it before the movie comes out in June. And it actually is better than I remembered it being.

Next on the shelf:
Redemption Alley by Lilith Saint Crow
Royal Road To Fotheringhay by Jean Plaidy
Living With The Dead by Kelley Armstrong
Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Product review: Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth deodorant

The last time I went to the store to buy deodorant, I couldn't remember for the life of me which brand I used to get. I'd been using Lady Speed Stick, because they carried it at the dollar store, but it wasn't the best. I couldn't remember what I used before that, so I thought I'd try something new. As long as I was trying something new, why not try something that's supposed to have an added benefit? So I got the Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth kind, which is supposed to make your underarm hair finer and less annoying.

I haven't been using it long enough to know if it works on the hair, though that would be great. What I can say is that I'm totally impressed with the anti-perspirant capabilities of this! I've been using it for a week--a week of hellish, busy, stressful, miserable waitressing shifts. Not once have I felt at all sweaty or gross. When my shift is over, I don't feel like my armpits are sticky and gross. I'm quite impressed. Even if the claims about hair lessening turn out to be bull, I'll keep using this!

Currently reading: "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain

I saw Anthony Bourdain back in November; before my friend had a spare ticket, I had no idea who he was. The show was great, though, truly hilarious; I'm excited to start this book.

Next on the shelf: same as previous post!

Currently reading: "Pyramids" by Terry Pratchett

I've been trying to read this installment of the Discworld series for a couple of weeks now. I've fallen asleep on it twice, and just not felt like reading it other times. I don't know why; it's hilarious, as they all are. I guess I've just been in the mood for something different. But I've had it from Booksfree for more than a month, so I'm going to read it, dammit!

Next on the shelf:
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Redemption Alley by Lilith Saint Crow
Royal Road To Fotheringhay by Jean Plaidy
Living With The Dead by Kelley Armstrong
Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Product review: Always Infinity

I've been in a "feminine protection" product rut for several years now. Once I found stuff that works tolerably well, I just kept buying that same stuff. For several years I've been buying Always regular pads and Playtex tampons. Why mess with success, right? I tend to be suspicious of all the "new and improved" products--what's the advantage of having a braided string on your tampon, honestly?

On Sunday I had to buy new supplies for the first time in a year (long story). Usually I'd just buy my regular stuff, but the Infinity stuff was on sale. It was still a little more expensive than the regular pads, until I spied a coupon somebody had forgotten! With the sale and the BOGO coupon, I was sold. I got a large box of the regular absorbency and a smaller box of the ones for heavier flow.

When I first opened one up, I thought it was really strange looking. The front is narrower than the back, and the slip that holds the wings in place even says which direction is the front. The top layer is a soft sort of mesh. The next layer has horizontal slits cut out of it near the back, and a collection of small holes near the front of the pad, where most of the liquid would land. I wasn't sure what the point of those holes was, nor if this ridiculously thin pad would be worth messing with.

After my first use, though, I was impressed. Whatever this "infinicel" foam is they use to make these, it's amazing. It's like very thin, very flexible sponge. The blood gets channeled down through the small holes, to the bottom most layer of the pad; the top stays amazingly dry. The foam also absorbs an astounding amount of liquid--and it doesn't well back up to the top layer until pretty much the entire length of the pad is saturated. When it gets to that point, though, even a light touch will cause fluid to well up, so suddenly the entire length of the pad will show red. Still, it controls it well--I didn't ruin any underwear using these.

On a day like today, I usually would've used five or six of the regular "heavy flow" pads, and probably a couple of tampons as well. Actually, if I hadn't had to work, I'd've spent the day sitting on towels in case of leaks and taking frequent showers. Instead, I've used three regular flow Infinity pads and one heavy flow. That may sound like a lot for one day, but comparatively, it's amazing. Yesterday I only used two pads all day--because not only are they crazy absorbent, they're very durable. After eight hours, the wings were still firmly stuck, the mesh top of the pad was still intact, and there were no signs of the inner layers of the pad starting to break up or flake like some pads will.

My skin wasn't irritated by the pad, which is an improvement over others; it didn't come unstuck and end up adhering to my skin; the wings didn't chafe the insides of my thighs; it didn't bunch up or feel like it was migrating backward as I walked; and it handled even my heaviest, most obnoxious flow--during the dinner rush, no less, when I couldn't go to the restroom for hours. I'd say these pads are just about perfect; they're pretty damn impressive. My only complaint is that they are a little pricey, so I'll probably make a strong effort to always have a coupon to use, but even if I can't find a coupon, this is a product I'd be willing to pay full price for.

Upcoming books I'm excited for.

Flirt, an Anita Blake short novel (Laurell K Hamilton). February.

Bullet, the next full-length Anita! June.

Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison, the next of the Hollows books. February.

Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong, the latest in the Otherworld series (although I haven't finished all the published ones, I know I will have when it comes out). October.

The Red Queen and The White Princess by Philippa Gregory. Not sure when either of those will be released.

Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris--already out in hardback, but waiting for paperback as I don't like that series quite enough to re-read, so I don't want to spend the money on the hardback.

The Captive Queen by Alison Weir. April.

Hmm ... how the hell am I going to pay for all these? And these are just my favorite authors, who I'm willing to spend money on because I know I'll re-read the books (Harris' aside). Actually, those are just the ones who popped into my tired three-a.m. brain.

Let me be shameless for a moment ... if anybody wants to help me earn points to get free gift cards for these books, and find out how to get things for yourself as well, see my post here.