(no subject)

Ow.

I was using my in-laws' computer while we were over there on a visit and noticed that I was getting pop-ups on sites that shouldn't have them. Yahoo could have been a fluke, with their ads. Livejournal, no.

So I got them AdAware (found 285 items) and, since one of the items was flagged as indicating a possible virus infection, AVG. Fourteen infected files. I got very twitchy watching that. :P It cleaned up nine; I got rid of five manually. Unnerving, yet strangely satisfying.

They have adopted another cat. The first one is a bit grouchy, though not approaching some of the stories I've heard; they aren't sure how much of this is innate personality and how much is because his hindquarters suffered severe injury at one point (as in, they were surprised he lived, much less that he's now the hunter) and are still tender sometimes. The new one had to be extensively de-pested but seems to be grateful for it, and likes to snuggle. Or at least likes to be petted and will put up with the snuggling, I'm not totally sure. :)

( List of lists I want to make )

GIP

It took me forever to realize that was "Gratuitous Icon Post" instead of "Graphic In Progress."

Anyway, showing off the pretty icon Tui made me. Dragon!

Showing it off in lieu of actual ranting, in fact, because:
I have less than 15 minutes until seminar.
This is not really the appropriate venue.
I think I need to get a recent copy of the Chronicles of Chrestomanci because there's a DWJ quote I want to use and can't find online, and I think that's where I read it.

Short version:
I. Humor is not only fun, but depending on use is a time-honored and often rather effective way to be serious. This can include satire and even farce, though possibly slapstick is going a bit far. But then, I haven't given enough attention to enough slapstick to see if any of it qualifies.

II. "Kids' books" is being incorrectly used as if it intrinsically means stories with no complexity and definitely no allusions or cultural references. This is stupid. Stop it.

For that matter, stop acting as if there is something wrong with the idea that a book can be meant for children and enjoyed by adults, or as if it's embarrassing to go into the kids' section of the bookstore. (Now, wandering aimlessly around the children's section for extended periods of time because the books you wanted are actually in the rather inconspicuous YA section and you didn't see them, that's embarrassing. But that is more of a navigational problem.) If you consider it unhygienic or aesthetically displeasing, that's different. But perhaps you would be less embarrassed if you shook off the nonsense about "books for kids" being essentially equivalent to "books for stupid people"?

...So much for not actually ranting. And now it's seminar time.

ETA: There's something comical about just how much my mood improved upon admiring the icon again. Thanks, Tui.