So here's how I've been these last couple weeks. 

Went to urgent care for a migraine cocktail. It only helped for about a day. Well, after watching me get sick shortly after I ate, my husband figured out I was having food-related migraine attacks. Now I'm on a restricted diet. Even more restricted than before. No wheat, dairy, chocolate, nuts, tomatoes or onions. Since then I was able to work my entire shift both Saturday and Sunday!

I got sick Sunday night randomly. And I mostly rested yesterday. So today I'm not too bad off. I never realized certain foods (other than caffeine) could make my head worse. What a time. 

These books are my Christmas. 

What a great way to finish the series! I hate that it's over. The art was fantastic, and the plot was so perfect. I am so happy this script was finally put out into the world in some form.

It's days like today I sit by the window and wait on the UPS guy like an overeager golden retriever. I have had this preordered for over a month and now I don't wanna open it!!! Waaaahhhh!!!!!

I learned from reading my Dark Crystal Visual History book that this story is actually the original sequel that Jim Hensen wrote with his team but never got a chance to make, back in the late 80s. So to have it in such beautiful detail is wonderful. The first volume was amazing. I can't wait to see what this holds!

Full disclosure: At least one full star of my rating is because this was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid and my nostalgic love for it in all forms is strong. If I make an attempt to be objective, I have to admit that the book is a tad on the dry side, and some of the descriptions seem out of place and serve little purpose. Aside from that, the story benefits a great deal from being told in novel form.

You know that bone-dry “Jen is the chosen one” expositional voice-over at the start of the movie? Not here! Those confusing rituals of the Skeksis and Mystics (actually called urRu and never referred to as Mystics in the book)? Explained! All that Skeksis political positioning following the death of the emperor? Also explained in greater detail with a clear delineation of factions! I don’t know how many people care about Skeksis politics, but all of that palace intrigue in the movie makes a hell of a lot more sense to me now, so I’m glad it’s covered. My next viewing of the movie will be enhanced as a result of reading the book.

This hardcover includes the extensive editorial notes Jim Henson sent Smith after reading the novel’s first draft. While interesting, this section is super dry. Don’t go in unless you’re well hydrated. Also included are a bunch of Brian Froud’s conceptual sketches strewn randomly throughout the book instead of all together at the back in a civilized appendix. Someone in the layout department at Archaia thinks interrupting the story with sketches of usually unrelated subjects is a great idea, apparently.

In closing: Fizzgig Forever. ♥