Judging by the number of Google hits for that particular error, I’d say I’m far from the only one that runs into it. It’s actually an easy thing to fix, but good luck finding coherent information on how to do it by searching Google. But, if you’ve stumbled onto this post and are running most any flavor of Linux, you’re in luck.

So, you’ve just compiled and installed the latest whiz-bang gew-gaw onto your system, but when you try to run it, you get an error like, “raideng: error while loading shared libraries: libraidutil.so.0: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory.” No worries. Provided everything compiled ok, all you need to do to fix it is this:

1. Check and make sure that your system actually has the referenced file. In this specific example, you would do:

find / -name libraidutil.so.0

2. Note the directory that the file is located in, and add it to /etc/lib.so.conf

3. Run ldconfig without any options.

4. Try running your application again.

And it’s that easy.

In Nekropolis, Maureen F. McHugh tackles gender issues in a way that hearkens to some of Ursula K. LeGuin’s best work. Nekropolis is at it’s heart the story of a forbidden love. Hariba is a Moroccan woman sometime in the future who has had some type of behavior modification (jessing) performed which transforms her into the perfect servant. In the house of her owner, she meets a Harni — a man-made organism that looks and acts much like a human but is not quite human. Hariba falls in love, and the Harni apparently falls for her too. The plot of the novel follows their struggle to find a way to make a life together in a society in which their love is taboo. Unfortunately, that’s also where the novel goes astray. To me, the most interesting aspect of the story is the nature of their relationship. Harni’s are created to do everything they can to please humans, indulging their every whims. It brings into question how genuine the feelings the Harni claims to have for Hariba actually are. That issue is only really explored in what turns out to be a denouement which lasts far too long after the main plot has resolved. The “action/adventure” plot involving their attempt to escape Morocco takes over the novel and pushes the more interesting relationship issues to the side, only to be resurrected in a whirlwind epilogue that feels forced and too brief to contain the story that needs telling. Additionally, the epilogue lacks the emotional punch it should have, as all the tension built up in the action/adventure plot has been resolved, leading to a very strange rhythm to the novel. This book could have been so good. Ms. McHugh has the capability to write the book I’d hoped this would be — she succeeded in China Mountain Zhang and Mission Child in raising fascinating issues regarding the human condition, but unfortunately for those of us impressed with her previous work she misses the mark with Nekropolis.

Count me among the many fans of Nicholson Baker’s body of work. Upon first cracking the pages of A Box of Matches I was quite pleased to discover that it is a return to the style of writing that made him famous — focusing in on the beauty of detailed minutiae within a story-arc comprised of a few reflective moments. This is the same stuff that made me love The Mezzanine and Room Temperature. In this case, our protagonist is a medical texts editor who details his early morning ritual of making a cup of coffee, starting a fire in his fireplace, and ruminating on his life. Like any piece of fiction by Baker, the descriptive details are dazzling and his use of metaphor and simile unparalleled among his peers. Those who, like me, appreciate a particularly inventive turn of phrase will find much to delight in this small book. Ultimately however, I found A Box of Matches not entirely satisfying. I think it has to do with the age of the narrator. In The Mezzanine and Room Temperature, both narrators were experiencing things both new and old, but mostly new and came at things with a palpable sense of wonderment. By contrast, the narrator in A Box of Matches seems a bit world-weary and lacks that same sense of wonderment. I think that takes away from the soul of the narrative that really shines through in the earlier two tomes. Detailed descriptions of things new and exciting make for a stirring read. Detailed descriptions of the old, the tried and true, come out a bit dull and perfunctory. It has always been a tightrope walk for Baker to make the mundane details of everyday life come alive exquisitely, and unfortunately with A Box of Matches it seems he’s lost his balance.

How a road-food afficionado like myself has managed to not discover this place for so long is a puzzle for the ages. Housed in an actual log cabin originally built in Chattanooga, the Log Cabin Inn serves up unpretentious comfort food with a southern flair at unbeatable prices. My first experience at The Log Cabin Inn was a business day lunch. Located out on Madison Pike near the southern edge of Covington, the Inn is a little hard to find as it sits back a bit off the main road, and made for a bit of a long trek from downtown. But the food, ah the food. My two comerades and I ate more than we should have and spent less than we normally would for a lunch most anywhere else. I had the “Cabin Burger” which is basically their version of the ubiquitous double-decker cheeseburger that typically goes by the “[Insert Chain Here] Boy” moniker. The Log Cabin Inn’s version was bigger than most, comprised of what were probably two quarter pound patties, and comes with fries for the bargain-basement price of $3.75. One of my coworkers went with one of the lunch specials, the “Burger Basket.” The “Burger Basket” was two (Yes, TWO!) chessebugers and fries for $4.50. And these weren’t White Castle’s two-bites-and-you’re-done burgers. These were two full sized cheeseburgers like you’ll find at any burger place that doesn’t have a drive-through. The third in our party went with another special, 2 pork chops and 2 sides for $5.75. The pork chops came out breaded and fried and were reportedly delicious. Total damage for the three of us stuffing ourselves silly: $14 plus tip.

Thrilled at my first experience at the Inn, I dragged my wife Shelly down there for dinner. We started with an appetizer of fried cheese sticks. At $5.75 these are a bit pricey compared to other menu items, but still less than you’ll find them most anywhere else. These were delicious and appeared to homemade. For our entrees, Shelly had the country-fried steak and I went with the ham steak and a tall glass of Bud Light. Both entrees came with a salad, rolls, and two sides. For sides, I got mashed potatoes and gravy and corn. The mashed potatoes were probably the only disappointing item I ate. They tasted distinctly from a box which didn’t seem in keeping with the delicious home-cooked feel of everything else. The corn was delightful — juicy and just a little sweet. Shelly had mashed potatoes also and green beans which had that wonderful long-simmered taste. The ham steak was average. I’ve had better, but I’ve had worse and for the price I think it’s a heck of a deal. Shelly’s country fried steak on the other hand was a knock-out. Having burned myself out on country fried steak over the years I rarely order it anymore, but this was fantastic country fried steak. Service was quick and friendly…we felt like regulars right away and left with smiles on our faces. I had been looking forward to sampling one of their cobblers (peach or blackberry) for dessert, but after that mountain of food neither of us had room for more. So, we’ll have to go back! Total damage for dinner for both of us clocked in at just under $20 + tip.

The Log Cabin Inn
322 Madison Pike
Covington, KY
(859) 356-9141