Isaac has a large number of degrees, but they're all in subjects that came easy to him. When he was younger, he wanted to be a writer (a poet? or maybe play the guitar? be in a band?). He went to school and took all the classes that were expected of him and by the time he was 15, he had his first PhD in Biology. Then there was genetics, biochemistry, bioethics, computer science, etc.

All these things came easy to him. His accomplishments may seem phenomenal to the average person, but to him, he's never pushed himself, never tried something hard, never risked failure.

This is pointed out to him during his burgeoning friendship with a man he testified against. They become friendly if not friends all together. The man mentions how he wanted to be a X, but his Protocol J-25 testing...is he too old for J-25? Perhaps an earlier series test?

This is the final crack in Isaac's perception of the world as he knows it, when he truly starts questioning what he knows, after enduring the treatment of his wife and again at the birth of his mentally handicapped son.

I mentioned this before, but Black Magic and Barbecue Sauce was summarized as a retelling of Hancock. There is no Jason Bateman or annoying French kid, but there is a person that is outside the normal human experience and feels isolated, alone, and apathetic. There is a former wife that he can't be with (but for totally different reasons).

It's a theme not unique to Hancock but damn if I can't stop thinking about that. I started this story before Hancock was even released goddamnit!

Based on my previous success and my unwillingness to deal with the morons that have been filling my work inbox today, I decided to procrastinate with the New York Times crossword puzzle like I used to do. Not only did I win, but I kicked its ass. Ten minutes after starting, it was finished (maybe less, but I'm being generous).

I also thought of something for BLISS today that I think will really add to the story. It won't be so much of a "ooo, chased by the bad guy!" situation. I never like writing those types of stories anyway. :)

So Jen took me to WERS's a capella event tonight. Following a competition yesterday, they selected Bradeis University's Voice Male to open for Rockapella. It was a great show and inspirational. When I was in basic camp at Fort Knox, we used to sing cadence constantly. We weren't allowed to have any other music. Listening tonight where there wasn't any accompanying instruments, just voices, I wonder what it would be like for a society that had developed harmony but could not have instruments. I think I might apply it to the sailors on Naissani ships. It'll add a level of humanity to them that might otherwise have been missing. Right now the crew of the Scarlet Wench feels kind of one-dimensional.