How are things in Glocca Morra?

Friday! By a whole three minutes! Posting now while I still remember!
You would think that the last thing I need right now is an extra time sink. (I've been invited to help with a museum photo shoot, I'm in Florida for the end of January, I'm considering a litcon in Texas at the end of February, I'm still doing six day weeks, I'm trying to get my act together to go back to school with a workshop the weekend after I come back, there's the Gotham City Black and White Ball, and probably 2347239798245 other things I've temporarily forgotten.)
But here we are, IFAMAQD! It's Friday, Ask Me A Question!

Live or die by shades of grey

( Cut for images--Gotham City Black & White )

They're giving you a number, and taking away your name

Do you ever suspect that perhaps you're in the wrong script?
Yesterday was 'grab greasy yet vegetably lunch from Orient Express' day. (mmmm stirfry cauliflower and dry roasted green beans and broccoli in brown sauce) And wrapping up my business, I cracked my cookie. And my fortune read "The rubber bands are heading in the right direction." I hardly noticed that in addition, the Chinese word for 'automobile' is 'Qi-che' because I was suddenly surveying the parking lot and looking for either the teams of extra-governmental assassins or my contact with my ticket (first class, of course, Moneypenney) to Kenya.

I ain't no fortunate son

I think it must have been back when I visited Bakersfield that I picked up a copy of 'Jarhead' for three dollars on the remainder rack at one of the megabookchainmallstores. Tonight, decades later, I finally started reading it. I had no real plans to read it or see the film, despite the presence of Jake Gyllenhall in all his smouldering goodness, and would likely not have bothered had it not been for the price. I am just over fifty pages in, and am stricken by this. There is a lyrical quality, although it occasionally feels forced, that I find remarkably good for a novel, let alone a first novel, let alone a first non-fiction-like novel. There is something, also, of exploring the world of an alien. But an alien who quotes Ezra Pound. So I'm not certain how far I can push that.