Tomorrow is the first half-day of Spring, so hopefully we have seen the end of freezing temperatures during the day, snowstorms, and people huddled inside germ-infested buildings–such as schools!–spreading viruses around like hot rumors.

Currently reading: I have assembled a list of 9 open-ended science fiction series (series in which the novels are independent rather than one endless storyline) running from 4 to 15 novels each, that I would like to read in their entirety. I have already read several books or novellas in each series and enjoyed them, so I am anticipating some very good reading during the decade or so it will take me to read all 76 books. They include Poul Anderson’s Harvest series and Polesotechnic League series, Kage Baker’s Company series, Iain M. Banks’ Culture series, Lois McMaster Bujold’s Barrayar series, Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover series (the only series I read completely during the 70s and 80s, but none in the past 20 years), C.J. Cherryh’s atevi series, George R.R. Martin’s Song of Fire and Ice series, and Robert Silverberg’s Majipoor series.

But before I begin any of those, I have decided to start another acclaimed open-ended series, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s Liaden series of 10 books so far. Like many of the series above, this is a culture-building series, devoted primarily to the examination of a far-future civilization, much as a historian would study an historical culture. I am reading the first novel Local Custom now, and it is an intriguing story of culture clash and bodes well for the rest of the series.

Currently listening: Neil Young is one of the finest rock and roll artists of the past 35 years, perhaps unequaled by anybody as far as maintaining a consistent high level of quality amidst steady quantity. He has released so many albums that my collection of Neil Young is woefully incomplete at 18 albums, which is probably less than half his total output. Recently I ordered two of his 70s albums Zuma and Rust Never Sleeps, both of which I look forward to hearing. Meanwhile I am listening to some of his 90s albums, including Harvest Home, Unplugged, and Lucky 13. Good stuff.