The DU Lounge

Here's the long version.

Wife is a retired high school English teacher; retired in 2004.

Years ago she taught to her 11th graders Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo." Don't ask why, I don't know, but for some reason the kids loved it.

So. From time to time she waxes reminiscent and tells me, in fact, the "Count" was FIVE VOLUMES -- not the wimpy 625-page paperback you find in bookstores. Something about how it was serialized in French newspapers of the 10th Century BC and how Jesus made it required reading for his disciples.

Our library has a source of ebooks -- no, not Kindle. Last week -- under the influence of Hendricks and tonic -- I downloaded all goddam five volumes to my iPad and announced to Madam English Teacher I was going to readthewholedamnthing. She looked up from her latest Baldacci waste of time and declared "You'll love it!"

Big mistake.

But in for a penny, in for a pound.

And now -- between the hours of 11:00 PM Eastern (after Lawrence) and 1:30 AM Eastern, I am plowing my way through all five volumes. Vol I is down. Dr. Jack helps me get through it.

Do not try this.