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I transcribed my scrawled opening pages to a new short story last night, about 500 words in total. It’s supposed to be a thriller and I discovered that I got too bogged down in backstory in the early goings, so I’m going to grab the knot by both ends and untangle it into a more linear story that starts earlier. I usually start stories too early, but sometimes I start them too late and have to spend time backpedaling. This is one of those cases.

I’m up to 52K words on the novel in progress as the end of the month nears. Less than half as much again and I should be done with the first draft. There is a lot of eating in this book. Maybe too much. I’m trying not to gain weight.

I finished Comfortably Numb by Mark Blake last night. Probably the definitive book about Pink Floyd. Nick Mason glossed over the “sex and drugs” part of the rock and roll story. This isn’t an expose, but it’s an in depth, detailed exploration of the lives and careers of all the principle actors. Given that Floyd gave very few interviews over the years, so a lot of the book is based on fading (and drug-addled) recollections, I think Blake did a yeoman’s job. When memories or opinions diverged, he presented all sides in as unbiased a manner as possible.

Jericho is still holding my interest, especially as the new characters begin to develop personalities and exhibit consciences. I wonder who was at the other end of the line for that phone call near the end of the episode.

Back to You returned with two new episodes this week. I taped Tuesday night’s show and almost fast-forwarded through the promo that told me about last night’s episode. It’s not a totally addicting show, but I sort of like it. It ranges from goofy comedy, like the double entendres of Heaton’s eulogy, to neat scenes like the bit in the bar with Grammar’s character and his daughter, who doesn’t know she’s his daughter.

Glad to see Amanda gone from Big Brother. She was getting more and more annoying all the time. Though I don’t have a “favorite” team yet, I’m starting to like Sharon, who was rescued from eviction by the unplanned departure of one contestant. My first impressions of her weren’t all that positive, but she and her partner kicked ass in the POV contest last night. We have another “twist” coming up next week—there will be a “big surprise” for the next couple evicted. Can’t imagine what that will be.

Update: I forget to mention Gabrielle S. Faust’s very flattering review of Gratia Placenti.