Nigel asked:
1. What are you reading at the moment?
The following are currently on my bedside table, loaded on my PDA, or tucked inside my purse:
Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Dr. Death by Jonathan Kellerman, Animal Farm by George Orwell (can’t remember reading it as a kid – can you imagine?), and a book about the history of my city. There’s always a copy of The Best Loved Poems of the American People lying on my bedside table so that I can read one or two each night.
I like to read whenever I get can, hence the PDA and the books in my handbag. It makes it convenient to read when standing in line somewhere, waiting in doctors’ offices, and so on.
A lovely friend of mine recently sent a Books-A-Million gift certificate to me so I’ve ordered By the Sword by F. Paul Wilson (I’ve read all the other books in the Repairman Jack series so I’ve been really looking forward to reading this one), Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner, Hide by Lisa Gardner, and Capital Crimes by Jonathan and Faye Kellerman. Wow – didn’t realize how gruesome I was being in my reading selections til I typed all those out. When I find an author I like, I try to read all their books, so I suppose that has led me down a dark road for awhile.
Lastly, I borrowed a book (Twilight by Stephenie Meyer) from my 13 year old niece because she was soooo excited about it and wanted someone to talk to about it. I just received it so it will be getting the majority of my reading focus as I’ve been ordered to finish by this coming weekend. Bossy kid – can’t figure out where she gets it ;)
2. Will President Obama be a polarizing figure or a unifying leader?
I don’t know, Nigel. I have hope for the second and a tiny bit of fear about the first. I have no concern about the people that don’t share his positions on things as I think that disagreement is healthy and can lead to great insight and growth. My concern is for those people who cannot let go of their ill-informed ideas and racist opinions. I think he has it in him to bring more unity than we’ve seen in a long time and I respect the fact that his first steps in doing so have been to consult with both Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Additionally, I heard him say on “60 Minutes” last night that his plans for Cabinet members include appointing Republicans. It speaks well that he’s not surrounding himself only with people who share his political ideation.
3. If there is one thing you would like to improve in males as a race, What would it be?
Hmm.. I can’t say there is anything that I would improve solely in males. We could all be more compassionate, more active in giving of our time, talents, and energy, etc. It’s difficult to list something that I would improve in males as a whole because all men aren’t alike. (I know that seems like a cop-out, but it’s an honest answer.)
4. In your opinion, What is the No. 1 environmental issue in your state?
Water purity and safety
No related posts.
There isn’t anything at all you would change about men, Lady Julia? What about “most” men?
lol you iz a pocket book book reeder
TQE, I think if I responded, I wouldn’t really mean “most” men, I’d mean one man. :) That really isn’t fair, is it?
Hello Lady Julia,
Animal Farm is so prophetic. How did George Orwell know the Soviet Union would collapse? F. Paul Wilson is a bit too scary for me, although I read his last two Repairman Jack novels on your reccomendation. You are such a wonderful Aunt; I have often wished for an extended family. Susan was telling me her little boy said he was too old for Disney movies now, Do you get suprised how quickly children grow intellectually?
I am reading Mansfield Park by Jane Austen; For Lust of Knowing: The Orientalists and Their Enemies by Robert Irwin (a counter argument to Said’s Orientalism) and Inter-Basin Water Transfer in the United States, Canada, Australia, India and China, which provides good and bad examples of how governments can manage water in drought affected areas. I have just finished the three “Golden Compass” novels by Phillip Pullman but I was dissapionted because they are very much youth literature.
The United States did a wonderful thing in electing Barrack Obama. Internationally, America is now truly the home of the free, and I am not sure Americans realise how beautiful your political system has become by the dynamism of these elections. But Obama has been elected in a time when the world is in such a state of flux. I hope his presidency makes it through the difficult decisions.
Would violence against women be a challenge in your area? A new report has been released in Australia about the prevalence of violence by boys against teenage girls and I just wish that people would realise there are other ways to manage your fear and anger! New South Wales has responded with anger management classes in primary schools and just image the impact that will have for the future!
I just realised I filled up you comments section. Thank you for responding to the questions.
Best wishes. Nigel
P.S. I really like “readability” of your new Blog, thank you.
Violence against women is a challenge in every area. It’s difficult to really know how widespread the issue is, since so many of the acts go unreported, but I know that many women fear retribution, shame, and not being believed. I think you’re right that teaching anger management early is important, but even more than that, it’s important to teach young girls how to stand up for themselves.
Yes, I am often surprised at how quickly children mature intellectually. I remember when I was six, I announced to my mother that I was no longer going to play with toys because I was too big. Instead, I was just going to keep an eye on the children (my younger brothers).
I haven’t read the Jane Austen novel you mentioned, so I will have to add it to my reading list :) Thanks for respecting my opinion enough to try Repairman Jack. You’re quite right – his last two books were very dark indeed. The Otherness is closing in on Jack and he seems to be growing darker with it. I really enjoyed the earlier ones in the series, most especially Conspiracies.