Okay, so the other day, a friend was commenting on my monthly reading list and asked when I found the time to read. In the ensuing discussion, she described herself as a “goldilocks” when it comes to reading–she needs to have everything juuuuuust right to be able to focus. This caught my attention because, first, I thought that was a charming way of describing the condition, but, two, while we’ve talked about our reading habits, […]
Time to learn something! 1. Go to Wikipedia.2. Click on “Random article” in the left-hand sidebar box.3. Post it! I’m not much for maritime history, but of course the name of this particular Civil War-era steamer caught my eye: The second USS Memphis was a 7‑gun screw steamer, built by William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1861, which briefly served as a Confederate blockade runner before being captured and taken into the United States […]
I looked at this topic from a couple of different directions, and discussed it with my husband, who actually has had to save things from a fire. We live in an area of Southern California where wildfires are, unfortunately, not rare, and he and his family had to evacuate their home due to a nearby fire threat several years ago. They were able to return safely and their house wasn’t damaged, but was still understandably […]
“The Laws Have Changed” – New Pornographers“Red Dragon Tattoo” – Fountains of Wayne“River of Love” – Pat Benatar“Soulful Shade of Blue” – Neko Case“Probably” – Lisa Loeb“I Hate Myself for Losing You” – Kelly Clarkson“I Me Mine” – The Beatles“Last Goodbye” – Jeff Buckley“Little Too Late” – Pat Benatar“Sweet Baby James” – James Taylor Looks like it was a woman’s world today, but sometimes I wonder about how that “shuffle” thing on the iPod actually […]
There was a widely bruited-about statistic reported last week, stating that 1 in 4 Americans did not read a single book last year. Clearly, we don’t fall into that category, but . . . how many of our friends do? Do you have friends/family who read as much as you do? Or are you the only person you know who has a serious reading habit? I posted about that report here last week, and also […]
It’s the first day of school, and time to learn something! 1. Go to Wikipedia.2. Click on “Random article” in the left-hand sidebar box.3. Post it! (I forgot to include the instructions last week…oops!) Traveling back in time and down under to see what was notable about 1948 in Australia: Events January 23 – De Havilland Australia conducts the first flight of its 3 engined Drover transport aircraft at Bankstown Airport May 8 – Margaret […]
Since I appended five things I liked about my job to last week’s list, I’m going to tweak this assignment just a little bit, and make my list “10 Things I Like About Having a Job.” As usual, these are in no particular order (except for the first one): The ability to support myself financially The ability to contribute to my family’s financial support (this would really be more like 1a, but I couldn’t get […]
Karen’s Random Tens are usually much more interesting than mine, so check that out. (Her blog has inspired both this meme and “Wiki Wednesday.”) I’m not sure what’s happened in the last couple of weeks, but the interference with my car iPod adapter, which goes through my FM tuner, seems to have disappeared. This is what I listened to on the way to work this morning, with comments: “Stupid Girls,” Pink (she doesn’t want to […]
Using a suggestion from Erin today: When growing up did your family share your love of books? If so, did one person get you into reading? And, do you have any family-oriented memories with books and reading? (Family trips to bookstore, reading the same book as a sibling or parent, etc.) I think “indoctrination” is absolutely the right word to describe my experience. Reading is definitely a family tradition for me. Both my parents have […]
Some reading that will lead you to more reading, if that’s your thing: Instead Of Three Wishes: Magical Short Stories (1995) is a collection of seven fantasy children’s stories by Megan Whalen Turner. “A Plague Of Leprechaun” “Leroy Roachbane” “Factory” “Aunt Charlotte And The NGA Portaits” “Instead Of Three Wishes” “The Nightmare” “The Baker King” Subscribe to Blog via Email Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts […]
Since I’m trying to cultivate more positivity in my life, and particularly as far as work’s concerned, I wasn’t sure I was going to write for this week’s topic. But it’s too hard not to. As usual for me, this isn’t in any particular order. The commute – but I haven’t yet found similar work I can do closer to home The perpetual sense of crisis The pervasive low-level anxiety The way it seems that […]
“Sugar on My Tongue,” Talking Heads“Where Do the Children Play?” Cat Stevens“Piece of Work,” Jimmy Buffett with Toby Keith“Creepin’ In,” Norah Jones with Dolly Parton“Up the Junction,” Squeeze* (a happy little song about your life falling apart)“Strapped for Cash,” Fountains of Wayne* (a happy little song about dodging a loan shark)“Mountain Angel,” Dolly Parton (a sad Appalachian ballad about a woman gone ’round the bend)“Footloose,” Kenny Loggins“Everything About It is a Love Song,” Paul Simon“Seven […]
