Beside Myself

BESIDE MYSELF "Perhaps my birthday brought on a day of reflection; today I am the only remaining witness to my entire life. That´s a very sobering thought " In this follow-up to SKYLINE TO SHORELINE, Constance Daley produces a collection of stories that show lessons learned by the joys, pains and plain quirkiness of a lifetime with the clarity that only having been there can bring. But don't expect an indulgence in sickly sentimentality. "Do Not Defrost" talks about the idiocy of cryonic suspension, noting that there are no testimonials available from those on their second time around, while "Making My Way Back" suggests that getting rid of the clutter of a lifetime through the miracle of eBay is the perfect way for man to end his days, "with hands falling open, wanting nothing." The title story of this collection, "Beside Myself," shows Constance becoming aware that, as the person she is now, she´s really a storehouse of memories for every moment of where she´s been and what she´s seen. The best part is her personal take on it all. I hope she continues to let us in on those times of her life.