I changed the name of my blog because I am over THAT phase of my life completely and it's all good, as Chris would say. I'm not 100% sold on the new name. I wanted it to have something to do with where I lived. It's funny - at one point this blog was called Potter Street, where I lived for years and I use the login potterstreet for all my various forums including Toytown, Chowhound, E Gullet and so forth, but for some reason, I do not feel comfortable using the name of my new street. Hence Off Kings Highway.

It's as cold as hell here and I can't be moved to leave the house at night when I can snuggle on the couch with a blanket, a book, a remote, a warm dog and on the weekend, Chris.

I am reading a great book called Missing Mom by Joyce Carol Oates, and though I have read one or two of her books over the years, I've never really delved deep into her catalog. As a result, I have just decided that I am going to try to read all of her books. I am always thrilled to start a new love affair with a writer, especially one as prolific as Joyce Carol Oates. To me, it's sort of deflating to read a great book by someone and then realize they have only written one other book. Usually, after I've read something that knocks my socks off, i get all crazed and want to read everything in their oeuvre.

I cannot stop thinking of Anna Nicole Smith. She was taken advantage of every step of the way. She wasn't overly bright, was vulnerable despite everything, had problems with substance abuse and didn't seem to be able to trust anyone other than her son, who died six months ago. If that's not tragic, I don't know what is. The media feeding frenzy, fueled by all of us, is absolutely revolting. Why are we all so entranced by this? It says something awful about us and that in itself is just sad.