This is why I read Cary Tennis.

Sometimes he just comes out of left-field and actually suggests that a parent, or their partner, ought to put their kids first. Ought to try to empathize with just HOW DAMN PAINFUL it is to go through your parents divorce. Then to watch your parent(s) adjust their life afterwards to suit the needs/wants of a new spouse, watching them make changes and compromises that they would never make for you, realizing that this new person comes first in spite of the fact that you're the one who shares half a genetic code, who depends on them utterly, who has the real claim. It truly feels catastrophic for the child(ren).

Thank you for speaking up for children Cary.

I read the critics list every week - and I've gotten lots of good tips, mainly from Louis Bayard and the Hav(rilesky). But what I really, really long for is more of Laura Miller's book reviews. She's turned me on to some of my fave writers, I'm a voracious reader, and yet she only seems to have a book review in here every once and a while. I await her next review with baited breath.

...but am still profoundly impressed at how scary and disturbing some of his books were to me as a kid and young teenager.

I too get cold shivers at the thought of topiary animals. And I will never forget the menstruation incident in Carrie. Then there's Charlie and her dad in Firestarter, on the run from a government agency that is pure evil and answerable to no one, buying food with quarters stolen from pay-phones through her dads telekineses. Or the end of Cujo, which I won't spoil, but is so totally distressing for anyone who has a kid or has loved a kid. Brrrr.

...I am enjoying the juicy southern-fried cheese that is True Blood.

...and I've never seen the graphic novel.

...probably wouldn't have after the debacle that was Run Fatboy Run, but I got a free pass, and picture shows are so expensive these days.

The good news is that this is far, far better that Run Fatboy Run. The bad news is that merely means that it is passably entertaining, a nice romantic popcorn movie with some really good laughs and no feces jokes (I hate shit-jokes!).

Oh, and Kirsten Dunst is stunningly radiant, as usual. Even with her chirpy little voice, she is fantastic.

Just a random query. Other than that I have nothing to add to Cary's thoughtful response.

Cary, why can't we all have a friend like you? You just gave this woman the exact advice I would have. Sometimes, you sit and think, "well, in a perfect world, this would be fine, but in this world, it's a deal-breaker". Best advice in at least a week. And I'm still processing your amazing 9-11 letter to all of us beautiful losers.

...so I just read through all the (many, many) letters from Linda Mae in the last few weeks, and I'm pretty sure that she is working for the McCain Palin campaign. Her letters use the same kind of words and phrases, and have a pat sort of writing style that reminds me of times when I've had to write disguised ad copy to pay the buills (not proud!)

I'm with you Gaimangirl - Laura Miller has turned me onto some of my favourite books these last few years, and I check out the books section every couple of days, often in vain, hoping to see a new review. We want more Miller!

...your post made my day.

Also: Heather, please stop mentioning Veronica Mars. It is painful for those of us for whom VM was a weekly gettaway (into pure cotton-candy high-school heroine smart badass girl strikes back at the snobs and meanies) are in acute withdrawal, and hate to even hear or read about Ronny and Daddy Mars unless it's news of a comeback. And VM, with its brainy but cute heroine, sun drenched so-cal high-school setting, and hot rich-boys vs. hot poor boys scenarios was pure escapism, better than gossip-girl because Veronica was admirable, not just fashionable.