Salutations.

I wanted to start out this blog with a bang. So: BANG. Blogs are a place for sharing -- ideas, thoughts, musings, opinions. And that is what I aim to do here each Evening in Arabia. What to expect from a blog from Shaun Stevenson? Random. That's what to expect. Be ready for everything from book reviews to excerpts from my writing to kid's ministry ideas and I guess, a bunch more other stuff. Pretty much whatever comes into my brain -- which can be quite a convoluted place at times.

Reading.
I've always loved to read. I think the first book I ever picked up off a shelf was one that my mother had saved from the family garage sale after my great grandpa had died. A stack of oldish looking books sat on one of the tables, and before the general public came along to pick through a dead man's things, my mother grabbed the books and put them in her car. They were a collection of vintage Oz books from the 1910's to 1930's. I think I first picked up The Lost Princess of Oz when I was in second grade, and I just started going -- I loved it. And ever since then I've read whenever I can.

Usually every year I try to read quite a few books. Last year I made it to 70. This year, the goal is to get to 100. I'll post here all the books that I read -- and if I write a review of it for Amazon, I'll post that up here too.

Writing.
I love to write. It's probably one of my absolute favorite things to do. Every now and again, I shall post a bit here for your consumption -- and comments and suggestions of course. Right now I'm in a big mythology phase, so I've been reading a lot of Arabic, Greek, and a bit of Persian mythology too. It's pretty interesting fodder for writing, and it's been a place where I can find some ideas for a few projects buzzing in my head. The other place I love to get ideas from is Balderdash. Best game ever created.

American Idol.
Yes, I do watch. And yes, I know some people think the whole show is a joke, but I really like it. I don't always agree with the final outcomes, but hey, it's a good waste of time on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Right now my current pick is: Allison. I really liked the way she came out and busted open "Alone" by Heart.

Until then -- S. Stevenson.