It Is What It Is

“We don’t have access to private jets for authors of tomes about religious history. If you want to write Fifty Shades of Iconography, we can talk.”  Truth. And yes, this really is in this book. My gawd. 

17.13 Inferno

I have hit the post move funk and all I can come up with to tell myself is that: It is what it is.  We have left that place and are now in this place, and even though it is a place we have been before it isn’t the same.  Because life rolls along and time passes, people change and some stay the same. I may need to adjust where I go and what I do but really, in many ways, it stays the same because it is what it is.

If there is anything that is said over and over about Dan Brown is that he is what he is, and is said almost like an excuse.  His books aren’t great literature but they are generally great page-turners, so while they are ok for being one thing they aren’t treated as another by many.  So while Inferno is what I expected to be, I also feel kind of over it.  (Much like Reno; it is much like I expected it to be but I also already feel kind of over it. And that PISSES ME OFF!!! Get over it Karen, it is what it is.  It isn’t what it was, or what I imagined it to be, or what I need in every way; it is what it is, and it is my fault for not choosing to make that positive and fun instead of sad and lonely.)  Anyway, back to the book, it felt just like a rehash of the other Langdon books and even less interesting.  Maybe it was because there have been so many really well done homages to Dante and Inferno.  Honestly, what this book did most was make me want to go back and re-read The Dante Club – now that was fun!

Often in my life I have found myself reading the perfect book at the perfect time. But this time I didn’t find the perfect book but the perfect movie.  The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel.  It is wonderful, and happy and sad.  And while I am sure it was marked as overly sentimental by some I was so happy to watch it, and to learn from it.

“There is no past that we can bring back by longing for it.” The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  Truth.

Feeling Old

"A senior moment."

"You can't remember your own birthday?"
"No," said Gabriel, punching in the code. "I just cant believe it was that long ago."  Truth.

16.13 The Fallen Angel

We just moved – again – and I have never felt so old.  One day of moving boxes was followed by one day on the couch with a knee swollen to the size of a grapefruit. One trip to Home Depot was followed by three others because I can’t remember everything I need.  One goodbye to a neighbor was followed by hysterical crying because I never thought this would happen again, and now I have my heckles up anticipating what will come next.  Needless to say, I am a mess… but I finally made it through a book and it only took 4 1/2 weeks. Grrrrr.

It seems that life is catching up with Gabriel Allon as well, even though the formula of the books remain the same.  Now everyone knows his name and his face.  They know he is an art restorer and a spy.  They know who he works for and with.  And they know all about his friends in high places.  And maybe I know too much as well, because usually I fly through these books dying to know how it will end but this time I just didn’t care.  I don’t know if it wasn’t as exciting because it wasn’t so undercover, or because I just didn’t have the energy to make anything exciting.  I love Gabriel and I love reading my yearly Silva, but this one just didn’t do it for me.  However, that certainly doesn’t mean I won’t be back for the next one though.