See ya 2019!

2019 now comes to a close in a few hours here.

I've got a belly full of tasty pizza. I've had more than my fair share of beer (and now am enjoying a glass of whiskey). I'm doing a marathon of "The Witcher" and pretty much chilling.

Been a hell of a year. Some bits were good. Some bits were bad. Most of it was just variations of batshit crazy.

I'd like to hope that 2020 will be different, but I don't really think it will. I think we're in for scary times ahead. I hope we're all ready to deal with them.

Maudlin thoughts to end the year, but that's what booze does, I guess.

If you're reading this, I hope the best for you in 2020. Guess we'll see what happens.

Some ramblings as 2019 comes to a close

Not sure if I'll get around to posting to the blog before 2019 ends, so I figure why not ramble now?

2019 has been a hell of a year. Trump is President. Lord knows why. People still support him. Lord knows why.

A new Star Wars film came out. I find myself surprised how little I care. The Last Jedi really did a number on me. I can't work up any interest in seeing any more Disneyfied Star Wars.

Except maybe the Mandalorian. Provided there's a way to watch it without giving the Mouse money for their streaming service. I have no desire to do that.

Game of Thrones ended. Also a disappointment.

Indeed, I find many things in 2019 to be surprisingly-disappointing.

Can't say I'm holding out high hopes for 2020. Looking like things could tilt either way next year and I'm increasingly-happy I don't have kids to inherit the shitshow I expect is coming.

Ah well. At least there's good booze to drink. On that note...

Review: "Zero History" by William Gibson

I finished "Zero History", the third book in William Gibson's "Blue Ant Trilogy", last month. I meant to write up a review, then November just happened, distracting me from ever thinking about my much-neglected blog.

"Zero History" starts up a few years after "Spook Country". It revolves around two of the protagonists from "Spook Country": Hollis Henry, the former musician turned journalist and Milgrim, the translator and drug addict.

"Zero History" explores more of the politics of Blue Ant and Hubertus Bigend's control of the company while dealing with another MacGuffin in the form of a mysterious clothing designer. Fashion remains a consistent theme throughout the book, echoing "Pattern Recognition". Indeed, many, many, references call back to "Pattern Recognition" in this book.

Overall, I quite enjoyed it. It goes from rambling observations of fashion and culture right into a caper in weird ways. I enjoyed all the characters, though I tended to find the Hollis Henry character a bit annoying by the end. Still, there was surprising closure for "Pattern Recognition" which pleased me. Loved it.