Archive for September 2nd, 2005

Book Meme

Published September 2, 2005 in Memes. 0 Comments

1. Number of books you have owned:
Over the years? Thousands. More than any sane person should ever own. Thankfully I have a new/used bookstore that I frequent for all of my paperback novels that I read but don’t want to necessarily keep. Since I live a fairly mobile lifestyle and don’t own a house, I only keep books that I will read many times over or ones that I want to save for the boys. I also score major amounts of books at yardsales this summer that I’ll trade in after I go through and keep what I like.
I buy the boys obscene numbers of books because they know that, although I usually always say no to toys, I’ll never deny them books.

2. Last book I bought:
I had to buy my textbooks for the two classes I’m taking this term, which include such exciting titles as “Programming Logic and Design”, “Sam’s Teach Yourself Programming in 24 Hours”, and “Foundations of Management”.

3. Last book I completed:
The last book I completed was “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” by J.K. Rowling. Unfortunately, it was the only book I had time to read this summer, which is surprising since I read the damn thing in one 18 hour marathon session.

4. Five books that mean a lot to me:
~”Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkein: I didn’t read these books until high school when I fell into a group of friends who played Dungeons and Dragons with disturbing faithfulness. Yeah, I was a huge geek even back then, but hadn’t realized it yet. I’ve read the trilogy many times over the years and, yes, was first in line with that same group of friends when the movies each came to our town.
~”Dragonlance” by various authors: This is a massive series of fantasy books (100+ the last time I checked) in the same vein as Tolkein and was the setting used for many of our Dungeons and Dragons games. They are all set in a world named Krynn and include all of your usual elves, orcs, dragons and halflings…plus a few surprises. Don’t expect any of these books to be on par with Tolkein, because they’re not even close. However, it’s a great series in it’s own right without the flowery writing that scares off many would-be Tolkein readers AND it satisfies the desire for more stories and adventure. I love Middle Earth, but my heart lies in the world of Krynn.
~”The d’Artagnan Romances” by Alexandre Dumas: Otherwise known as The Three Musketeers books, these are just wonderful books that I got into in my early 20’s. I recommend the Oxford World Classics versions of all 6 books, that aren’t dumbed down to the lowest common denominator.
~The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: Yeah, I don’t know what the fuck either. The publishers must line those pages with crack or something because I don’t think I have ever uttered a girlish squeal IN MY LIFE like I do when I get my hands on each new book. I sure as hell have NEVER stayed up reading for 36 straight hours like I did with The Order of the Phoenix and The Goblet of Fire. I don’t know what it is about these books, but I’ve been hooked since the first one.
~The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon: I rarely get into romance fiction, but this series is more historical fiction than anything else. I don’t even know where to start describing the books, but the series centers on a 20th century woman who goes back in time to 17th century Scotland. There’s lots of mystery and intrique and romance woven around historical details. And the books are THICK…averaging around 900 pages I’d guess…which is one of the things I look for. When I read a book, I want the WHOLE story.

5. What are you currently reading?
I’ve got 3 books going at the moment, in a desperate effort to finish them before classes start. I’m re-reading one of the Outlander series in preparation for the new book coming out this month. I’ve also (stupidly) started the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, that I’ve been wanting to sink my teeth into for a while. The third book that I’m reading is called Eragon by Christopher Paolini. It’s the first book in a fantasy series started when the author was only 17 years old. So far, it’s not really grabbing me…where most fantasy stories understandably rip-off from Tolkein, this one rips off from EVERYONE as far as I can see. I’ve read a lot of fantasy literature and reading Eragon is like reading all of the popular series all rolled into one. Sometimes I’ll be reading along and wonder when the hell I switched books. I’m hoping his writing has matured over the past 3 years.

I’ve got a huge reading list that I’m hoping to get through this winter. I’ve got some classic books that I’ve always wanted to read, but keep getting distracted from by new and shiny stuff. I hope this winter is slow.

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Eye Openers

Published September 2, 2005 in Miscellaneous. 0 Comments

I’m still beyond speechless about the lack of response on the Gulf Coast. People dying where they sit and no one noticing…no food and water for the survivors…a total breakdown of society. I simply can’t believe my eyes and ears.

I’m stunned that we’re on Day 5 and basic human needs are still not being met. I hope that each and every single American is taking a good hard look at what we’re experiencing right now and asking themselves, “What would *I* do in a similar situation?”. And I hope every one is getting the message loud and clear:

You can’t depend on the government to bail your ass out in a crisis. The only thing you can count on is yourself.

My house burned down about 10 years ago and I lost everything I owned. Since then, I’ve had the attitude of “Well, my children and I escaped with our lives and that’s all that truly matters”. And it is. But it lulled me into a false sense of security because, when the house burned down, the Red Cross was there before the fire was even under control with money, clothing, food, water and rented hotel rooms. I, like many other people, just assume that if/when something bad happens, the local, state and federal governments and agencies will be RIGHT THERE to pick up the pieces.

WRONG.

I live in the Northeast and have always made sure that I was prepared for things like blizzards and extended power outages. The government tells us to be prepared with 3 days worth of food and water, and it’s just natural for us northerners to go to the stores on the day before a Nor’easter is expected to hit and clear the shelves of bottled water, bread and canned goods.

After 9/11, the newly formed Department of Homeland Security launched the Ready.gov website in an effort to get all Americans to prepare themselves and their families for terrorist attacks. The website is full of excellent general advice, but it doesn’t cover one of the more important things to consider in a large disaster: personal protection.

As has been displayed in NOLA, you’ve got about 48 hours after a disaster of this scale before people start getting restless and angry. Looting and criminal acts will start any time after that first 48 hours. How are you going to protect your family and property when people start getting REALLY desperate after 72 or 96 hours?

I don’t have a gun in my possession right now. The Ex bought me a gun many moons ago, but I left it with him when we split because I’ve never felt the need to have one in the house. You can bet your ass that THAT is going to change very soon.

I, for one, NEVER expected to see a complete breakdown of a civilized society in the United States unfold before my eyes.

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