Do you really love books? Let’s find out..
I recently read the following article over at the Geeky Book Snob and it really made me smile so wanted to share it (coupled with the fact that I’m nosey and want to see just how obsessed you really all are and whether you should be on medication or not:
Image used with the kind permission of Geeky Book Snob
Okay – On a scale of 1 – 11 how many did you score – be honest!
My immediate thoughts.
- Why wouldn’t you take a book with you when you leave home? It fits in your bag and you’re never short of something to do! Simples.
- I can totally relate – I’m never excited about buying clothes, I just do it – in and out of the shop as quick as possible. Book stores – I can spend hours in just happily wandering, mooching, reading snippets and jackets. *sigh*
- Okay, I may not have maimed anyone (yet) but I do occasionally smuggle books into the house and hide them (this is what some women do with clothes) then when the other half notices them I just casually say, ‘oh those old things, I’ve had them for ages’!
- Absolutely spot on. I love the library.
- I refuse to even think about this.
- Naturally. It might be something I was really looking forward to! (Actually I suppose I do have to act a bit more responsibly than that (something about having a family to feed *waves hand absentmindedly*) but come on, there’s always a bargain out there – you just need to keep your eyes peeled!
- I don’t do this and perhaps that’s why most of my books never find their way homes – I hadn’t realised that I needed a bit of blood magic. Bangs head on wall!
- Just doesn’t happen! I refuse to read the magazines in there – one they’re 3 years old and two, on the absolute rare occasion you find something of interest in one of those I guarantee someone will have torn half the article out! Very annoying!! High blood pressure at all….
- This is true – they just don’t know they’re my friend and think I’m some sort of weird stalker as I try and discover what they’re reading – not easy when they’re reading a Kindle – which is another down side to the Kindle that I forgot to add to my pros and cons list!
- I do worry about this but it’s pointless – my books are doomed! There’s far too much paper and it’s stacked up all over the place – perhaps that’s a plus for the Kindle!
- Why on earth would I rip a page in a book! That’s just silly! Now, if you’re the sort of person who rips pages in books – then perhaps you need a Kindle.
Let me know your score.
If I could talk to the animals….
27 January 2013
Filed under General Comments
Tags: Bad dog behaviour, Excessive Barking, Noise nuisance
I would tell my dog to stop barking at 6.00 am in the morning! Yes, this is his most recent discovery. If I bark the humans will get up and come down to see me. Yay. Why did nobody tell me of this 6 years ago!
No, very bad. Give me a break. I don’t want to know that there’s a 6.00 am in the morning much less see it and take part!
So, this is the pesky varmint’s latest discovery. I hold up my hand and admit that I probably (definitely) made it worse – but it was with the best intentions and also because I hadn’t realised what was actually going on.
Basically, I have two dogs. And much like your children, even though you think you’re treating them the same they actually have their own personality. Dude, named after the Dude in the Big Lebowski, came to live with us at 12 weeks old. He’s very integrated into our family, his pack. Jack, not named by us as we took over his care age 4 from a family who were finding him too hard to cope with. I call him Jackypaws – because he’s very sensitive about his toes – he’s even now a bit more quiet than Dude.
Anyway, long story short, they’re company for each other which is nice. They don’t really spend too much time on their own because we always have a bit of a house full and we’re all in and out at different times! Like I say, they’re both different natured. Jack isn’t very vocal unless he wants something. If he’s sat next to you and his cushion isn’t down he sits at the side, stares at you and then barks once. Same if there’s no water in his bowl. Or, when you’re about to take him out on a walk – he barks usually twice – especially if you don’t put his lead on first.
On the other paw, Dude barks more often and it always seems meaningless. But, he’s never barked when he’s gone to bed at night. Occasionally he whines – but thats only when he thinks he can hear you and believes he’s missing out on something. So, the other morning, when he started barking, it was such a surprise that I thought he wanted or needed to desperately relieve himself and came down to see him. This was obviously a light bulb moment for him and he now gets up every morning to wake me with the birds!
Not happy! Deeply unhappy actually. At first I tried shouting at him! I confess. I’ve tried coming down and just liberating him from the kitchen. This morning I came close to beating him with a wooden spoon – it’s the kitchen and it was the handiest thing. Don’t worry. I didn’t. But it was a close call there for a moment.
In the meantime. I’ve had a look on line. The advice was pretty much as follows:
1. Never shout at your dog when he’s barking – he thinks you’re joining in with him. Joy of joys! So, I have actually been conversing with him even though I didn’t know. He says ‘bark, bark, bark’ – which roughly translated means, ‘hey’, you up there, come down and see me (sometime!) and then I shout ‘Shut up Dude’ which roughly translated means ‘I’ll be there in a moment’! Going well so far.
2. If your dog starts barking at different times such as in the morning, never go down to see him as you just encourage him to behave like this all the time. Thanks. I’m now fully aware of that but it’s nice to have my own theory confirmed even if it is a little late
3. Ignore him – virtually impossible. I tried this on Saturday – he barked for one and a half hours!
4. Remember that dogs are not vindictive or spiteful. Your dog is behaving like this because he is missing you. Aw, very reassuring, but sleep deprivation does not bring out my best side. You know the saying about a grumpy person being like a bear with a sore head – well the bear stole that off me. It’s more like a Lynn with a sore head and even the bears run in the opposite direction when they see me with a certain look on my face.
5. Don’t beat your dog with a wooden spoon or other kitchen utensil. Actually, I made that one up.
So, what to do. Apparently I can buy a diffuser which releases pheromones that will relax him. I suppose I’ll have to give it a go. If it doesn’t work for him maybe it will relax me!!
Feel free of course to provide me with the benefit of your advice and wisdom. I’m good at taking advice and bad at losing sleep!
Oh, I have tried up keeping him up later – even walking him at 1.00 am in the morning – it doesn’t work and in actual fact it’s just all more attention!! So probably the wrong thing to do.
Dogs, what you gonna do! Can’t live with em!!!
Alien by Ridley Scott
4 January 2013
Filed under General Comments
Tags: Alien, Ridley Scott, Science Fiction Events
So, for the month of January and February I’m taking part in two none challenging events being hosted at different blogs but both interacting with each other. Sign yourself up – no pressure, even if you only read one book – or none for that matter (just take part in the discussion) Vintage Sci-fi by Little Red Reviewer (hosted by Andrea) and The Science Fiction Experience by Stainless Steel Droppings (hosted by Carl). The beauty of both of these events is that the rules are fairly free and easy. Obviously with vintage science fiction – the books are slightly older and according to LRR anything before 1979 and with the SFE you can read what you want, when you want, as much as you want and, I think, also includes film. Which is why I’m being really cheeky and including this post in both (may contain spoilers).
Last night I watched Alien directed by Ridley Scott. I do love this film. It’s a perfect blend of science fiction, horror, good casting and excellent surprises. I distinctly remember the first time I watched this being really scared (and I do mean really scared). Perhaps these days it might not have the same impact on people although I think it stands the test of time very well. The effects still look good. The actors are all excellent, or at least I thought they were. It’s such a small cast that any major blips would really stand out. Ian Holm as Ash is really good. When you rewatch this you pick up so much more about his performance that you missed the first time around. Little looks, a bit shifty and snide, that you don’t pick up on at first. I couldn’t help seeing him as Bilbo on this rewatch perhaps because Tolkien is everywhere at the moment (I love a bit of omnipresence in my authors!) I also thought Sigourney Weaver was brilliant in this film. Her Ripley was the perfect thorn in Ash’s scheming side. She started off a bit, almost, ambitious in her role, sticking to the letter of the law in terms of what should happen on board. She pretty quickly got under Ash’s skin and she did a great job of portraying real fear and panic in the final few scenes. I think the character of Ripley is great, she obviously has a leading role (if not the leading role) in the film and, again, this seems quite pertinent at the moment given another event that I’m joining in with over at Worlds Without End (thank you Carl for highlighting this one! – what another great site.)
I’m not going to elaborate on the plot in case there are any people out there who haven’t yet seen this (what, why and pick up a copy now!) Basically the story revolves around the alien it’s named for. An aggressive (read very!) alien who it is almost impossible to kill. Imagine it like a virus. It’s trying to infect other races and planets and it’s almost impossible to eliminate. But it’s a bit bigger than a virus and has a fair few sets of teeth!
I must say that one of my favourite scenes is the scene where the alien is born. I won’t say any more than that. This is quite frankly a stunning scene – particularly given when the film was made. Watching this again last night I just didn’t have any criticisms – now perhaps I’m seeing it through rose tinted glasses but if so I’m keeping them on and updating the prescription. I remember many years ago reading a story about that scene that suggests that the actors were not informed about what would actually take place. That could be an urban myth but every time I watch it the surprise on their faces is just so real that I find myself believing the stories or maybe they’re even better actors than I give them credit for. You decide – go and watch it!
Next film has to be Star Wars. Currently reading: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlein.
To do or not to do. A list of intentions for 2013
So, I’ve had a think about the New Year’s Resolutions I intend to make and break for 2013. Okay, that might seem a bit negative but let’s face it I’m not going to stick to everything completely. Anyway, if I manage to stick to all my resolutions perhaps I’ve been too easy on myself!!
Firstly, and really rather predictable and boring, I need to pick back up with exercise, healthy eating and doing more walking. The biggest problem with this in the past year has been the weather. Now, I know you’re probably all groaning loudly but it does seem to have rained a lot this year and frankly I don’t want to walk to work and be drenched when I arrive. It just makes the rest of the day very damp, miserable and uncomfortable. But, I’ll just have to get over myself and my aversion to getting wet because the weather certainly doesn’t show any signs of immediate improvement. Perhaps some waterproofs? Wellies – not exactly renowned for walking in! A very large umbrella – I have a vision of taking off during a large gust of wind or even worse causing some sort of accident as my umbrella is taken by a particular strong gust and whipped into the path of oncoming traffic! Okay, no brollies! The drowned rat look is going to be the new black for the next 12 months!
Okay, having got the obvious resolution out of the way – reading! Well, this year, I failed miserably on my challenges! 100 books in a year – nope, nowhere near (about 70/80ish). I did take part in a few events and readalongs however and, in my defence, I didn’t include every book on my list because a few I didn’t review and a few more I never finished (and I’m not reviewing a book if I don’t finish it because it doesn’t feel fair). It’s not my biggest pet hate when reading reviews but it does feel wrong to me so I don’t go there (my biggest peeve is people who give books 1 star on Amazon or Goodreads, etc, and then base that rating on the price of the book! What? Just no. Look, I know this can become an expensive hobby, particularly if you read quite a few books like I do, but I want to know what you thought of the book not the price. And, anyway, if you object to the price you could always wait for the price to come down or wait for your library to get a copy – don’t down mark a book because you think it’s expensive! So, do I try and chill a bit with my books. Don’t lets be silly!! I’m taking part in a couple of events in Jan/Feb focusing on sci-fi and also a read along – interesting in taking part in any of these none challenges?? Check out the details here, here and here. They’re going to be good so you should really sign yourself up. Throughout the year I’ll also be reading some books from the Mercury Retrograde’s catalogue. More details to follow on this. I think I probably will enter the 100 books a year challenge (because I’m pigheaded and don’t like to admit defeat) and I will try and be a bit more focused but, at the end of the day, my reading is just for fun, relaxation, escape, whatever. It’s not a chore. On top of that, having looked at some of the expected books for 2013 I don’t think I’ll have a problem reading lots this year and probably exceeding my challenges!
My final mission for 2013 is a bit odd. I’ve decided to actually do something with our photographs. I know that probably sounds random, particularly as we’re in the digital era and a good deal of our pictures are stored electronically but I quite like the idea of going through and selecting some (not all – that would be too big a task not to mention incredibly expensive) and putting them in some kind of order. A bit of a pain because I’ll have to start having pictures printed out, etc, etc, but I quite like the idea and it will give me the opportunity to revisit some of our past holidays.
There they are. Fairly low key really. Healthier eating, exercise, reading and something a bit family orientated.
Let’s see how well that all goes and what falls flat at the first hurdle!
Books and travelling with Lynn 
Book vs Film
Filed under Book Reviews, General Comments
Tags: Books vs Film
Okay, a very short article to quickly pick your brains – and, no, I’m not trying to say this is a short article because you have a small brain! I just mean my article is short (obviously your brain is appropriately sized). Anyway, on the back of this thought provoking article over at Little Red Reviewer which I really enjoyed (and is spot on because there are so many films out there which I enjoyed and hadn’t even realised there was a book!), and because I’m nosey and it piqued my interest I thought I’d try and think of the following:
So, I’m going to keep this to 5 for each category (more difficult in some categories than others) – let me know what your’s are:
No.1 – Films I enjoyed more than the book (this is a toughie)
No.2 -Books I liked better than the film
No.3 – Books I can’t decide between: (or like equally or for different reasons)
Book vs film: your views please.