Books I Don't Like

 It's very hard to define what books I truly enjoy have in common. Maybe one day I'll try to define it beyond "interesting,  not preachy, hopeful in some way."

However, many years of reading hundreds of books a year have allowed me to clearly define the words in book blurbs that mean I will almost certainly dislike a book:

Time travel of any kind: instead of plotting,  what if time travel? Immediate shark-jumping for me.

Sweeping epic: needed a lot of editing it didn't get. 

Across time,  two ______: Just no. 

Dark fantasy: depressing and/or inappropriately sexy.

Violent: not my flavor.

Bloodthirsty: ditto.

Whimsical: high chance of manic pixie dream somebodies.

Epic tale: needed TWO editors. 

Tiktok sensation: I will 100% hate jt.

Sumptuous: see lush. 

Lush: practically a guarantee of poor editing and wandering narrative.

Horrifying: I personally do not like scary books so even excellent horror is not for me. 

Toxins: author hates science and/or advocates eating roadkill. Brain worms will not impede them serving in high office.

Me : I will be so careful in the sun on vacation. I wish I could always remember to put on sunscreen in the morning.

Monkey's Paw: Ahahaha. <finger curls> 

Me: Oh no.

Monkey's Paw: It will last for months after the last time you use a sunscreen with a sensitizer!

Me: I'll try some steroids?

Monkey's Paw: They're photosensitizers.

Me: I'll stop going out in the sun.

Monkey's Paw: The walk to the car gives you face blisters that last for a week. Have fun! 

(It has been nine weeks. I curse my Ashkenazi ancestors for this.)

More Five Minute Blogging

•  The company I work for just got acquired
• Significant chaos has ensued 
• I arrived back from vacation to find I had a different job (that I wanted)
• I have already been sent on a business trip to Europe 
• Next month I have another business trip
• My dear spouse is having some New Life Experiences of being the primary parent as a result
• The baby now wears a women's size 7.5 shoe
• The biggest kid has been working at the grocery store this summer
• The middle kid has been enjoying himself and doing house chores for cash (his idea)
• The garden is overrun with cucumbers
• Squirrels ate my pumpkin vine 

Five minute blogging: Travel

 We just took the kids off on a Big Adventure Trip. Things I learned:

• I am not taking the 16 year old on any more trips for at least 4 years
• Travel clothesline and power banks were the two most useful things 
• Honorable mention to fast dry travel towels in a moderately priced four-pack
• The little one rises to the occasion on adventures, but also wears out well before her siblings
• They will eat pretty much anything 
• I am the only person in the family who sleeps on planes

ADHD Part 2

Having now accessed legal drugs for this,  it is absolutely WILD to take controlled substances that are stimulants and feel calm and a little sleepy.

Children

Child #2 just got a cellphone because I'm tired of managing all the things and I don't want to deal with it. Like music from his sax teacher and soccer messages and texting his friends to get together and looking up recipes. This is how parents just give up as they work through the children. 

(The usual draconian parental controls have been applied. It's fine.  He goes away for soccer games and legit needs to get in touch with us. Also, he's 13.)

ADHD

I have an evaluation on Monday.  I'm not that kind of doctor,  but I feel like the normal number of times per month to set your smoke alarm off at 3 AM because you forgot something on the stove is probably  ZERO.