On a side note, I'm never making popcorn through the microwave again! Every time I do something get burned, melted or broken (and I only pop it for two minutes or less!). The latest casualty was a plate that somehow split neatly in two while in the microwave.

Finished Edward Rutherfud's The Forest and thoroughly enjoyed it. If I ever go back to the UK, I'd like to visit the New Forest just for the wildlife alone (Ponies!!!). It was shorter and less complex than London but the theme was more ecological and, having once been a horticulture student, followed some of the technical notes and the metaphors easier than London's economic theme (classes which I barely passed).

I'm trying to see if I can get the World War II tumour going (and also get some ideas for more Hetalia stuff, too). So, for fun research I'm reading B.H. Liddell Hart's History of the Second World War. After reading the first 60 pages, I find the author slightly arrogant but then again he is an acclaimed military analyst. It has been good reading so far. Compared to American history books that have sugar-coated the war, Hart's thorough analysis on the fronts (those that American history books hardly cover such as Norway and Finland) is quite refreshing. His narrative on the dealings and tactics of the nations puts me to mind of the game Risk. I can't help but chuckle at that.

Also, if anyone can recommend books on the British military's (even Canadian) perspective of the war, particularly the North African campaign, it will be greatly appreciated. While browsing through bookstores it's a sad truth that for Americans, WWII doesn't start till 1943 and anything on North Africa is about Rommel (who I greatly respect and have idolized since middle school, but he's not the subject I'm researching now. And I still have to read his memoirs). And if finding information on British military history is frustrating, don't get me started on German history.