(Tales of Adventure, image copyright David Palumbo)

Time really does pass rather quickly and old habits are indeed hard to break. Both truisms collided in the month of January as I attempted to get a solid start to my book reading for the year. I am a multi-task individual when it comes to reading. My sidebar tells the tale better than I do, revealing in none-too-subtle ways that I am juggling more than one book at a time. Looking back I realize that this is a habit I began when I moved to Kansas City. Something in the Missouri air rerouted my brain chemistry and a more-than-one-book-at-a-time reader was born. Prior to last year this habit resulted in my reading a tremendous amount of material page-wise yet finishing few books. Last year I doubled my reading output due to sticking to my uberlist goals. For January, just for fun, I decided to turn back the clock.

Continue reading January Roundup: The Agony and the Ecstasy →

“Moving between the legs of tables and of chairs, rising or falling, grasping at kisses and toys, advancing boldly, sudden to take alarm, retreating to the corner of arm and knee, eager to be reassured, taking pleasure in the fragrant brilliance of thee.”
~T.S. Eliot~

Scent is a powerful magician. Certain scents can act as quickly as any time machine, transporting one to an occurrence mere moments ago or ages old, bringing with it memories both significant and trivial. The smell of cinammon conjures up a myriad of both childhood and more recent Christmas memories. The scent of cold winter air causes memories of growing up in Nebraska to dance in my mind’s eye. My wife’s perfume evokes many pleasant recollections.

Scent is intoxicating. If you’ve ever been in the presence of a woman wearing a perfume that for some reason grabs ahold of you, regardless of the way she looks, then you know what I mean. I assume the same thing occurs for women with men. Scent is powerful.

Many companies have made their mark on the world creating enchanting, alluring, unforgettable scents. The latest one that I have heard about, thanks to Janet, is Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. Among other fantastical offerings, they offer you the opportunity to smell like a literary character from the imagination of Neil Gaiman.

Intrigued? Read on.

Continue reading Smells like Neil Gaiman…huh? →