Scooter Chronicles

I keep falling behind on these reviews. And I need to think of a better way to start these. I can’t remember when I finished “Saved” by Jack Falla, but it’s a novel about hockey, and from what I gather it was his only novel, though he was a very prolific writer, even working for Sports Illustrated in the past.

As is usual for me, I take my description from the Publishers Weekly review found on Amazon.Com:

Boston Bruins goaltender Jean Pierre Savard (aka JP) has no illusions about the hockey profession, and at age 31, Savard knows this year may be his best (and last) chance to win the Stanley Cup. He must deal with age, injuries and the grief of losing his young wife to...

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Over the weekend I finished reading “The Manual of Detection” by Jedediah Berry, his debut novel.

From Publishers Weekly via Amazon.Com, per usual, here is the description:

Set in an unnamed city …… Charles Unwin, a clerk who’s toiled for years for the Pinkerton-like Agency, has meticulously catalogued the legendary cases of sleuth Travis Sivart. When Sivart disappears, Unwin, who’s...

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So Marcia and I need to get ourselves ready to move. Though this process will take a little longer then just packing things up. My new employer will pay for us to stay in corporate housing for up to 60 days. We are going to do that. At first, I had hoped to find something where we could take advantage of their three day house/home hunting trip, where they pay for lodging, gas, and meals while you find someplace to live. But I looked up on Craig’s List and realtor sights, as well as apartment search sites and only found one apartment (and they don’t have anything available until March). There is seriously little that will fit our needs (three bedroom with large dog). Sure, we can go down to a two bedroom, but I would prefer...

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WOO HOO!!!

It’s with a company called Metso Minerals in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh. The salary is very good, as are the benefits. They will help with relocation and home hunting. Looks like we are moving and I am finally employed again!

Just a quick note to say that I think it went very well, but that doesn’t mean much either. I thought my interview with that company in Delaware this past summer went swimmingly and I didn’t get the job. But I won’t have to wait much longer to find out. I should hear later today. They mentioned to me that they hoped to make their decision by the end of Friday, which is the day I interviewed with them. I will be sure to update or post once I hear news either way.

“Trying to throw a fastball to Ted Williams was like trying to sneak a sunbeam by a rooster in the morning.”

— Bob Feller, Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame pitcher

Sometime last week, in about a day and a half, if not less, I read “The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist, Vol. 1″ by Michael Chabon. This is the first of three, that I can see, of companion publications to his novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay”.

Essentially this was Chabon, along with some other writers and artists, creating some of the stories that made up the world of the Escapist and Luna Moth, two of the comic book...

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Today’s the day of my interview. The company is called Metso and is based in Finland. The group that I am interviewing with is in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and is the bulk material handling engineering group. They handle all of the bulk material handling projects for this company, and I mean all of them. They have not been effected by the recession, having worked overtime for the last three years without a break.

I think it is a good fit for both the company and myself. Hopefully I can convey that and convince them at my interview today.

Sometime last week I finished reading “Beat the Reaper” by Josh Brazell. I got an ARC, though it has long been out in hardcover, from a friend of mine at BookMooch (Yaffa). I am not an active member of BookMooch any longer, but it worked out that if she reserved the book for me, and then sent me the points to request the book, she would still come out one point ahead on the deal since she lives in England. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

...

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Here in the state of Pennsylvania …. Oops! I mean the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is required that all cars have a certified inspection every year. We took the minivan in yesterday for it’s annual. It came back saying that the rear brakes needed to be replaced and the front would pass, but wouldn’t last very long. I decided to have everything done right away. Why take the chances, especially with a trip to the other side of the state coming up later this week.

Just before Nigel got dropped off at home from school, Marcia took me, along with Ian, to pick up the van. On the way home though, the other car, the Ford Focus, broke down. It’s the timing belt. About a month ago we ended...

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