I started sharing my thoughts with y'all one month ago today....and I've become obsessed with Stats....(you know the famous quote about statistics, don't you? Supposedly from British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.")
Not really statistics, but rather the number of people who come by and read and where they're from....
In my one month, I've had about 200 people come by--hopefully, most of those are repeat readers. I don't expect a huge following--this isn't a blog dedicated to any one or two topics. It's really what floats in front of my brain as I sit and start to type. I know the total views says "279" (at least the last time I looked today), but I didn't realize the first few days that I could have blogger not track how many times I looked at my blog...now I have it set so that it doesn't track me when I check in on this with either my laptop or my iPod.
What's really interesting to me is that I can see what country people who have stumbled onto my blog are currently in. Germany has checked in twice (Guten tag! Wie geht es Ihnen?), Norway once (I think that was my friend Siri while she was traveling, but just in case, God dag! Takk for at du leser!), Bosnia and Herzegovina once ( I think it was my friend Kati while she was traveling, but .... Bok! Kako ste?), and India once (hmm... I can't do Hindi characters, but Google Translate shows "How are you?" written phonetically as "Apa kaise haim--with diacritcals that I can't find on my keyboard....sorry!) and once from Romania (Buna zuia! Ai o zi mare!)
Most people use either Safari or Internet Explorer to view my blog (34% and 33% respectively), with Firefox coming in a respectable 3rd (18%). 7% use Mobile and 5% use Mobile Safari (I wonder what the difference is?) and less than 1% have used Chrome. As far as Operating Systems (OS), the vast majority use Windows (53%), while 26% use a Mac. 8% have used an iPad (that's probably Ken--thanks, honey!), 6% have looked at this on an iPhone, 5% with an Android based Smart Phone and less than 1% have used an iPod.
My most popular blog was "Musings about Books (in general) and Reading (8 Views), followed by "Musings about Blogs" (6 Views) and Musings about College...." (also 6 Views). If I were trying to figure what I should blog about, this doesn't help very much, so I guess I'll just continue to write about what ever comes to mind.
Traffic sources come from either my friend Arlyn's blog or from my links on Facebook, although some site "www.jobsforsmartpeople.com" has evidently brought in a few people. I went to their site, but can't see how anybody has found me from there, unless someone posted about how you can make money using Adsense, but since I haven't set up Adsense, I don't see how that can be....just baffles me.
Of course, what this doesn't tell me is if these are 270 different people, the same person 270 times, or any combinations in between. And where are these people coming from?
I guess the important thing is that I'm having fun. If you're reading -- thank you. I hope you continue to enjoy my random thoughts about whatever strikes my mood. Otherwise, I guess this'll become a sort of on-line journal for me to look back on someday.
Stay aMused, my friends.
Princess Muse
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Musings about the Number 42
So, today is Thursday. I've been waiting for a Thursday to talk about the Number 42.
42 is my second favorite number, which, in a way, is very funny because my first favorite number is 21, and 42 is double 21. (It's real easy to fall into weird numerology traps, but I'll try to resist. But I'll probably fail because resistance is useless.) (Oh, and the significance of 21? July 3, 1965 = 7 X 3 = 21 and 1+9+6+5= 21.... which will also give you .... 42...)
Up until 1981, I had lived a fairly normal existence. Well, at least as normal as an Army Brat can claim. Then, in the Fall of '81, I came upon a wholly remarkable book. It was an odd looking book: Blue, with a large hitchhiking thumb and a green planet sticking it tongue out and thumbs in it's...ears? There are a couple of other planets hanging around, but except for the odd colors and stripes they are almost... normal.
The book, of course, is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The book is based on the radio play that first aired on BBC radio (if you want to discover the whens and wherefores, just google...it's all out there.) This is the series popularly known as a "Trilogy in 5 book"... although Eoin Colfer has written a 6th Book (The six books are: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Life, the Universe and Everything, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish, Mostly Harmless, and And Another Thing...) In our Freshman year, Arlyn and I found an album of the radio plays and Ken and I have have found the tv show on DVD. (Arlyn got custody of the album....mainly because I didn't have a record player at the time and she did.)
So, I did a little research (and I do mean little) into reasons why Douglas Adams used the number 42 for his Ultimate Answer to Life, The Universe and Everything. I read how perhaps it was an homage to Lewis Carroll, who was Very Fond of the Number 42 (I don't know why....do I have to look everything up for you?), to it's the number of lines of text on the average page of a book (I don't know if that's true for eReaders....and no, I'm not going to count it out for you.... at least not today.), but the answer I like the best is because it's just a silly sounding number. He needed a number and just picked 42. Now, it's possible that he had read or seen it recently and that's why he picked it out, but really, does there need to be a reason? Especially in that book?
But, oddly enough, the number 42 does have some weird significance in the world. Wikipedia has a whole page devoted to the number 42 (although I don't think it's a definitive list, but it's a pretty funny list--although there's a whole math thing that made my eyes glaze over.) And it seems that 42 is connected to the Weight of the Universe.
The year I turned 42, I declared it to be my Hitchhiker Year. No, I didn't go around in pajamas, a terry robe with a towel, in search of a decent cuppa..... but I wish I had a Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster.
Well, time to go aMuse myself and read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy again... for more than the 42nd time....
42 is my second favorite number, which, in a way, is very funny because my first favorite number is 21, and 42 is double 21. (It's real easy to fall into weird numerology traps, but I'll try to resist. But I'll probably fail because resistance is useless.) (Oh, and the significance of 21? July 3, 1965 = 7 X 3 = 21 and 1+9+6+5= 21.... which will also give you .... 42...)
Up until 1981, I had lived a fairly normal existence. Well, at least as normal as an Army Brat can claim. Then, in the Fall of '81, I came upon a wholly remarkable book. It was an odd looking book: Blue, with a large hitchhiking thumb and a green planet sticking it tongue out and thumbs in it's...ears? There are a couple of other planets hanging around, but except for the odd colors and stripes they are almost... normal.
The book, of course, is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The book is based on the radio play that first aired on BBC radio (if you want to discover the whens and wherefores, just google...it's all out there.) This is the series popularly known as a "Trilogy in 5 book"... although Eoin Colfer has written a 6th Book (The six books are: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Life, the Universe and Everything, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish, Mostly Harmless, and And Another Thing...) In our Freshman year, Arlyn and I found an album of the radio plays and Ken and I have have found the tv show on DVD. (Arlyn got custody of the album....mainly because I didn't have a record player at the time and she did.)
So, I did a little research (and I do mean little) into reasons why Douglas Adams used the number 42 for his Ultimate Answer to Life, The Universe and Everything. I read how perhaps it was an homage to Lewis Carroll, who was Very Fond of the Number 42 (I don't know why....do I have to look everything up for you?), to it's the number of lines of text on the average page of a book (I don't know if that's true for eReaders....and no, I'm not going to count it out for you.... at least not today.), but the answer I like the best is because it's just a silly sounding number. He needed a number and just picked 42. Now, it's possible that he had read or seen it recently and that's why he picked it out, but really, does there need to be a reason? Especially in that book?
But, oddly enough, the number 42 does have some weird significance in the world. Wikipedia has a whole page devoted to the number 42 (although I don't think it's a definitive list, but it's a pretty funny list--although there's a whole math thing that made my eyes glaze over.) And it seems that 42 is connected to the Weight of the Universe.
The year I turned 42, I declared it to be my Hitchhiker Year. No, I didn't go around in pajamas, a terry robe with a towel, in search of a decent cuppa..... but I wish I had a Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster.
Well, time to go aMuse myself and read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy again... for more than the 42nd time....
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Musings about Back to School
My boys are not loving me right now. I keep saying things like "Only 7 more school days until school starts." I've discussed the need for haircuts (hey, why should I be the only one to get a hair cut?), and school supplies. I tell my older son he should dig the saxophone out and practice (just a little to remember his fingering). My husband and I are encouraging the boys to read (for those of you who know my reading habits, how did I end up with children who aren't readers? And God knows that I would drop everything to read a story to them whenever they asked. Which goes to prove that the experts don't have all the answers....)
It's Tax Free Week here in Maryland. Sadly, this only applies to clothing, but I'm not complaining. Jeans, socks, shirts, jackets, it all adds up and if I can save $6.00 per trip, it's $6.00 more to spend on books for my Nook.
I always have mixed feelings about the End of Summer Vacation. When I was a kid, I'd be excited because it'd be a chance to really meet kids my age (and in 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades it meant that I'd get to see some of my friends who didn't live close by). In college, it meant the start of Football Season--and maybe a chance to beat those hated Gators (sadly, in the four years I was at FSU, we never did manage that....it wasn't until the year after I was graduated that the 'Noles beat the Gators *sigh*). When I got into the "Real World" and worked at GMAC, the only exciting part about summer was the 3 day 4th of July weekend, or getting the 4th off (there are very good benefits to having a 3rd of July birthday). Then I got married and went back to school and got my Master's in Education and Summer Vacation became something to look forward to again. And the start of a new school year was fun again. Getting caught up on what colleagues did over the summer, what personalities would my students bring? (Every class, every grade is different. I've had classes that I've loved, but another teacher has had difficulties with--and vice-versa. It's all in personal chemistry.)
The boys are finally old enough that I can leave them at home for short amounts of time while I do the shopping. So, I'm spreading it out over several days, but as long as it all gets done by next week, it's all good. Trust me, I'd much rather do it this way than have to have the boys with me. I'd rather have a root canal without anesthesia than have two boys who don't want to be shopping with me.
On that note, a little video blast from commercials long past.....
But, of course, the downside of all this means that we have to go back to regular bedtimes and getting up way too early in the morning. I have to stop reading book after book. I have to go shopping for new clothes and supplies. Sitting on the porch and reading for hours on end are coming to a screeching halt. Making sure homework is done and put in backpacks so it doesn't get forgotten. Making lunches. Older boy is going to Middle School for the first time--and I have to make sure I take that step back so that he can grow and figure out how to get things done himself. He'll be riding the bus for the first time. I'm not anxious, not really, it's just that dread of the unknown. How will things change? Will we like the changes? I know everything will be just fine and we'll adapt, but it's the beginning of the Independent Child Growing Into Adulthood--he'll never be my "little" boy anymore and I mourn that loss. I want him to grow up, really, I do. (And there are days....)
Well, before I put the cart before the horse and have both boys out of college before they've left grade school, I guess I better go find some way to aMuse myself....
It's Tax Free Week here in Maryland. Sadly, this only applies to clothing, but I'm not complaining. Jeans, socks, shirts, jackets, it all adds up and if I can save $6.00 per trip, it's $6.00 more to spend on books for my Nook.
I always have mixed feelings about the End of Summer Vacation. When I was a kid, I'd be excited because it'd be a chance to really meet kids my age (and in 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades it meant that I'd get to see some of my friends who didn't live close by). In college, it meant the start of Football Season--and maybe a chance to beat those hated Gators (sadly, in the four years I was at FSU, we never did manage that....it wasn't until the year after I was graduated that the 'Noles beat the Gators *sigh*). When I got into the "Real World" and worked at GMAC, the only exciting part about summer was the 3 day 4th of July weekend, or getting the 4th off (there are very good benefits to having a 3rd of July birthday). Then I got married and went back to school and got my Master's in Education and Summer Vacation became something to look forward to again. And the start of a new school year was fun again. Getting caught up on what colleagues did over the summer, what personalities would my students bring? (Every class, every grade is different. I've had classes that I've loved, but another teacher has had difficulties with--and vice-versa. It's all in personal chemistry.)
The boys are finally old enough that I can leave them at home for short amounts of time while I do the shopping. So, I'm spreading it out over several days, but as long as it all gets done by next week, it's all good. Trust me, I'd much rather do it this way than have to have the boys with me. I'd rather have a root canal without anesthesia than have two boys who don't want to be shopping with me.
On that note, a little video blast from commercials long past.....
But, of course, the downside of all this means that we have to go back to regular bedtimes and getting up way too early in the morning. I have to stop reading book after book. I have to go shopping for new clothes and supplies. Sitting on the porch and reading for hours on end are coming to a screeching halt. Making sure homework is done and put in backpacks so it doesn't get forgotten. Making lunches. Older boy is going to Middle School for the first time--and I have to make sure I take that step back so that he can grow and figure out how to get things done himself. He'll be riding the bus for the first time. I'm not anxious, not really, it's just that dread of the unknown. How will things change? Will we like the changes? I know everything will be just fine and we'll adapt, but it's the beginning of the Independent Child Growing Into Adulthood--he'll never be my "little" boy anymore and I mourn that loss. I want him to grow up, really, I do. (And there are days....)
Well, before I put the cart before the horse and have both boys out of college before they've left grade school, I guess I better go find some way to aMuse myself....
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Musings about Hummingbirds
I have a hummingbird feeder hanging in my front yard, not far from the porch. I like to sit and watch the hummingbirds come and feed. I have about 3 who visit regularly: a male and two females. I also have wasps and bees who like my feeder. I may have to get a different type of feeder next year to see if I can cut down on the bees and wasps (it's not the bees who bug me too much, but wasps are just too unpredictable). Last year, I had a problem with ants climbing the shepherds hook and getting into the sugar water, but this year I got a cup that hooks onto the feeder and keeps them out.
If there are no bees or wasps at the feeder, the hummingbirds like to visit each of the ports on the feeder. I'm guessing (but I don't know for certain) that it's because the hummingbird can't figure out that they're all connected to the same source of sugar water, and it's making sure it doesn't eat all the "nectar" at once.
I see the females more than the male. The females chase each other away from the feeder, but they ignore the male for the most part. Sometimes, the females chirp at each other, talking' smack about whose feeder that is. They soar and dip as they fly around. If you didn't realize that hummingbirds are pretty anti-social and territorial, you'd think they were playing with each other. Sometimes, one will sit on the bush in front of my porch, lying in wait for the other to show up. Then, in she swoops, chirping as she drives the other off. They'll fly off for a few minutes, then one of them show back up and the show begins again. Sometimes, the hummingbird will chad a bee away if it's flying around the feeder, but I notice that they avoid the wasps. Like I said, wasps are too unpredictable...and they be crazy to boot....
Time to go as the hummingbirds are pretty aMusing....
If there are no bees or wasps at the feeder, the hummingbirds like to visit each of the ports on the feeder. I'm guessing (but I don't know for certain) that it's because the hummingbird can't figure out that they're all connected to the same source of sugar water, and it's making sure it doesn't eat all the "nectar" at once.
I see the females more than the male. The females chase each other away from the feeder, but they ignore the male for the most part. Sometimes, the females chirp at each other, talking' smack about whose feeder that is. They soar and dip as they fly around. If you didn't realize that hummingbirds are pretty anti-social and territorial, you'd think they were playing with each other. Sometimes, one will sit on the bush in front of my porch, lying in wait for the other to show up. Then, in she swoops, chirping as she drives the other off. They'll fly off for a few minutes, then one of them show back up and the show begins again. Sometimes, the hummingbird will chad a bee away if it's flying around the feeder, but I notice that they avoid the wasps. Like I said, wasps are too unpredictable...and they be crazy to boot....
Time to go as the hummingbirds are pretty aMusing....
Monday, August 15, 2011
Musings about Wolf Hall
My book club just read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. Actually, that's not quite true. Wolf Hall is the book we were suppose to read for discussion, but I was the only one who completed the book. Now, to be fair, several members of my book club are undergoing lifestyle changes: children going off to college, a change in job, things like that. Several work full time, or have to take college courses for certification purposes. I'm probably the only who is truly enjoying a lazy summer, sitting on my porch, writing blog entries, watching hummingbirds, listening to my iPod and reading.
There are about 10 of us in my book club. All of us hold at least a bachelor's degree, and several of us hold an advanced degree. I'm telling you this so that you understand that we're not dumb.
Despite my first paragraph, I don't really think that lack of time is what kept most of the women in my book club from finishing Wolf Hall. Rather, it was a lack of interest. Which is a shame, because the story was fascinating.
For those of you who don't know, Wolf Hall is part of the life of Thomas Cromwell (Oliver Cromwell was the great-great grandson of Thomas' sister, Kat). The story starts just before Thomas leaves home, the son of a blacksmith in Putney, journeys to mainland Europe to become a soldier and wool merchant, and eventually lawyer, banker and Secretary to Cardinal Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of Henry VIII. The book chronicles Henry's desire to set his wife, Katherine of Aragon, aside so that he can marry his mistress, Anne Boleyn; the start of the English Reformation and Thomas Cromwell's Rise to Influence in Henry VIII's court. The book ends not long after the death of Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England after Cardinal Wolsey and Anne Boleyn's miscarriage of a child after the birth of Elizabeth. Most of the book encapsulates six or seven years.
Wolf Hall won the Man Booker Prize in 2009. So, it should be, you know, a really interesting book. Honestly, although I had a high interest in the subject, I didn't find Ms. Mantel's book that interesting. From the time I started the book to the time I finished the book was about two weeks, but I read probably 8 or 9 other books while reading Wolf Hall. Actual reading time was probably closer to 5 days, reading about 100 pages/day.
I think there are three weaknesses to Wolf Hall. The first is purely a style issue. Ms. Mantel describes things very sparingly, which is okay, because we are looking back almost 500 years. Details on how people looked, the exact clothes they wore at any given time, are going to be a little scanty. However, I felt sometimes like I was reading the action of a television show or movie, like I was listening to someone describing what was happening on a show while I was in another room. I see this as a weakness, but that's just my opinion.
The second weakness is the listing of the Cast of Characters. There are almost 100 characters in Wolf Hall, so part of me did appreciate the heads up of Who's Who. However, sometimes I feel that when an author uses the Cast of Characters, it means that he or she isn't going to take the time to really explain the relationship between the characters. For example, after Cromwell's wife Liz dies during a summer plague, her sister Johane moves in. It's apparent that she becomes important to Cromwell, but it's not until close to the end of the book that you realize that there was probably a sexual relationship between them-- but, you're not entirely sure if there was. In the Cast of Characters, she's only listed as "Johane Williamson, Liz's sister." Now, I can appreciate not wanting to give away plot details, but it would be nice to have this settled in your mind.
Which brings me to the third, and, in my opinion, the biggest weakness with Wolf Hall: the overuse of the pronoun "he." Most of the time, Ms. Mantel uses "he" to refer to Cromwell, but in a book where almost 2/3 of the characters are male, it can get a little confusing as to whom "he" refers. Consider this sentence from near the end of the novel: "The evening before Fisher is to die, he visits More." Now, you would be forgiven for thinking that "he" refers to Fisher. After all, in that sentence, there is one antecedent proper noun: Fisher. Therefore, "he" should be replacing Fisher. This is what I learned in my English classes (Thank you, Mr. Bailey). Mr. Bailey evidently was not Ms. Mantel's English teacher, because "he" actually refers to Cromwell. It's not until you read several sentences that you realize this (and then you go back because you think maybe you missed something that made that clear.).
So, would I recommend Wolf Hall? Guardedly, yes. If you have a strong interest in this time period, if you have a clear understanding of who the major players are (or can photocopy the Cast of Characters), then I think you'll appreciate this book. There were too many times when I was taken out of the story (meaning that I was too aware of reading a book), but it was an interesting read, nonetheless.
There are about 10 of us in my book club. All of us hold at least a bachelor's degree, and several of us hold an advanced degree. I'm telling you this so that you understand that we're not dumb.
Despite my first paragraph, I don't really think that lack of time is what kept most of the women in my book club from finishing Wolf Hall. Rather, it was a lack of interest. Which is a shame, because the story was fascinating.
For those of you who don't know, Wolf Hall is part of the life of Thomas Cromwell (Oliver Cromwell was the great-great grandson of Thomas' sister, Kat). The story starts just before Thomas leaves home, the son of a blacksmith in Putney, journeys to mainland Europe to become a soldier and wool merchant, and eventually lawyer, banker and Secretary to Cardinal Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of Henry VIII. The book chronicles Henry's desire to set his wife, Katherine of Aragon, aside so that he can marry his mistress, Anne Boleyn; the start of the English Reformation and Thomas Cromwell's Rise to Influence in Henry VIII's court. The book ends not long after the death of Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England after Cardinal Wolsey and Anne Boleyn's miscarriage of a child after the birth of Elizabeth. Most of the book encapsulates six or seven years.
Wolf Hall won the Man Booker Prize in 2009. So, it should be, you know, a really interesting book. Honestly, although I had a high interest in the subject, I didn't find Ms. Mantel's book that interesting. From the time I started the book to the time I finished the book was about two weeks, but I read probably 8 or 9 other books while reading Wolf Hall. Actual reading time was probably closer to 5 days, reading about 100 pages/day.
I think there are three weaknesses to Wolf Hall. The first is purely a style issue. Ms. Mantel describes things very sparingly, which is okay, because we are looking back almost 500 years. Details on how people looked, the exact clothes they wore at any given time, are going to be a little scanty. However, I felt sometimes like I was reading the action of a television show or movie, like I was listening to someone describing what was happening on a show while I was in another room. I see this as a weakness, but that's just my opinion.
The second weakness is the listing of the Cast of Characters. There are almost 100 characters in Wolf Hall, so part of me did appreciate the heads up of Who's Who. However, sometimes I feel that when an author uses the Cast of Characters, it means that he or she isn't going to take the time to really explain the relationship between the characters. For example, after Cromwell's wife Liz dies during a summer plague, her sister Johane moves in. It's apparent that she becomes important to Cromwell, but it's not until close to the end of the book that you realize that there was probably a sexual relationship between them-- but, you're not entirely sure if there was. In the Cast of Characters, she's only listed as "Johane Williamson, Liz's sister." Now, I can appreciate not wanting to give away plot details, but it would be nice to have this settled in your mind.
Which brings me to the third, and, in my opinion, the biggest weakness with Wolf Hall: the overuse of the pronoun "he." Most of the time, Ms. Mantel uses "he" to refer to Cromwell, but in a book where almost 2/3 of the characters are male, it can get a little confusing as to whom "he" refers. Consider this sentence from near the end of the novel: "The evening before Fisher is to die, he visits More." Now, you would be forgiven for thinking that "he" refers to Fisher. After all, in that sentence, there is one antecedent proper noun: Fisher. Therefore, "he" should be replacing Fisher. This is what I learned in my English classes (Thank you, Mr. Bailey). Mr. Bailey evidently was not Ms. Mantel's English teacher, because "he" actually refers to Cromwell. It's not until you read several sentences that you realize this (and then you go back because you think maybe you missed something that made that clear.).
So, would I recommend Wolf Hall? Guardedly, yes. If you have a strong interest in this time period, if you have a clear understanding of who the major players are (or can photocopy the Cast of Characters), then I think you'll appreciate this book. There were too many times when I was taken out of the story (meaning that I was too aware of reading a book), but it was an interesting read, nonetheless.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Musings on Rainy Days and Sundays....
....never get me down (to misquote the old Carpenters' song).
Actually, I love rainy days, especially if it's a Sunday. Sundays are kick-back days. Sleep in a little, have breakfast in bed (thanks, sweetie!), and have nothing more planned than reading a book. Maybe put a movie in the DVD player (although, I love watching the old Black and White movies on ACM). Popcorn, sliced apples, can of Coca-Cola....yeah, that's the way to spend a Sunday.
Rainy days are like that, too. Unless it's a work day, if it's raining, you think twice about going out -- do I really need to buy school supplies today? Kinda gives you a Sunday on another day of the week.
The thing I like the most about rainy days is how everything looks. The grass seems greener, the red bricks of the houses on my street (we all have red brick ranchers) are darker, the asphalt of the street gets back to black as the dust and dirt from the road is washed away. There's a huge spider web on the bush at the front of my porch, underneath the awning---but I can see the water droplets in it, making it seem ephemeral and other worldly.
I love the misting rain that you almost can't feel on your skin, but will soak you through in a few minutes. I've been caught by the sudden downpour that makes you run for the nearest doorway or store. I've driven in rains so hard you can't see five inches in front of you--actually, you just look for a place to pull over and wait for the rain to pass. I've danced in the rain a few times, and I've rushed outside just after the rain to see how many worms were called up. I've splashed in the puddles and laughed with the joy of it.
My dog, Cricket (he died while I was in college--he was a Good Dog!), hated rainy days. He hated having to go outside and get his paws wet. It'd be funny to watch him go outside, daintily lifting his paws as if to say "Ew, ew, ew!"
In Florida, sometimes you hate the rain, because it's a hot and humid day, and the rain doesn't cool things off. As a matter of fact, it makes it steamier. So bad, sometimes, you can see the steam rising from the ground.
Sometimes, I like to go shopping when it's overcast and light showers are expected, especially to niche stores--because it's not in a mall area, the crowds generally stay away and I can browse and chat with the employees.
When I worked for GMAC, you could tell when there was a storm between our office (in Linthicum, Md) and Detroit....the computers either died on you or they ran really slow--good old satellite dish technology. Customers used to get really upset, and sometimes got nasty with me. I understand their frustration--especially if there was no storm in our area, but really, do you think I want to be uncooperative?
I love sitting on my porch on a rainy day--it's where I am right now. We have an aluminum awning extending over the porch and I've always loved the percussive sound of the rain hitting the aluminum . I studied in Taxco, Mexico for a few months one summer before my children were born. We'd get a few storms and the thunder would boom and echo off the mountains. Made you realize why the Aztecs thought their gods were mad.
I'll admit, I don't live anywhere where I've had a solid month of rain and overcast skies. Never seriously had to worry about the rivers rising to flood levels and the levees not holding. Maybe if I did, I'd be less fond of rainy days.
Well, the rain has stopped for now, the sun is peeping out and I can see blue skies...must be time to aMuse myself....maybe with a book, maybe with a good movie.....something black and white....
Actually, I love rainy days, especially if it's a Sunday. Sundays are kick-back days. Sleep in a little, have breakfast in bed (thanks, sweetie!), and have nothing more planned than reading a book. Maybe put a movie in the DVD player (although, I love watching the old Black and White movies on ACM). Popcorn, sliced apples, can of Coca-Cola....yeah, that's the way to spend a Sunday.
Rainy days are like that, too. Unless it's a work day, if it's raining, you think twice about going out -- do I really need to buy school supplies today? Kinda gives you a Sunday on another day of the week.
The thing I like the most about rainy days is how everything looks. The grass seems greener, the red bricks of the houses on my street (we all have red brick ranchers) are darker, the asphalt of the street gets back to black as the dust and dirt from the road is washed away. There's a huge spider web on the bush at the front of my porch, underneath the awning---but I can see the water droplets in it, making it seem ephemeral and other worldly.
I love the misting rain that you almost can't feel on your skin, but will soak you through in a few minutes. I've been caught by the sudden downpour that makes you run for the nearest doorway or store. I've driven in rains so hard you can't see five inches in front of you--actually, you just look for a place to pull over and wait for the rain to pass. I've danced in the rain a few times, and I've rushed outside just after the rain to see how many worms were called up. I've splashed in the puddles and laughed with the joy of it.
My dog, Cricket (he died while I was in college--he was a Good Dog!), hated rainy days. He hated having to go outside and get his paws wet. It'd be funny to watch him go outside, daintily lifting his paws as if to say "Ew, ew, ew!"
In Florida, sometimes you hate the rain, because it's a hot and humid day, and the rain doesn't cool things off. As a matter of fact, it makes it steamier. So bad, sometimes, you can see the steam rising from the ground.
Sometimes, I like to go shopping when it's overcast and light showers are expected, especially to niche stores--because it's not in a mall area, the crowds generally stay away and I can browse and chat with the employees.
When I worked for GMAC, you could tell when there was a storm between our office (in Linthicum, Md) and Detroit....the computers either died on you or they ran really slow--good old satellite dish technology. Customers used to get really upset, and sometimes got nasty with me. I understand their frustration--especially if there was no storm in our area, but really, do you think I want to be uncooperative?
I love sitting on my porch on a rainy day--it's where I am right now. We have an aluminum awning extending over the porch and I've always loved the percussive sound of the rain hitting the aluminum . I studied in Taxco, Mexico for a few months one summer before my children were born. We'd get a few storms and the thunder would boom and echo off the mountains. Made you realize why the Aztecs thought their gods were mad.
I'll admit, I don't live anywhere where I've had a solid month of rain and overcast skies. Never seriously had to worry about the rivers rising to flood levels and the levees not holding. Maybe if I did, I'd be less fond of rainy days.
Well, the rain has stopped for now, the sun is peeping out and I can see blue skies...must be time to aMuse myself....maybe with a book, maybe with a good movie.....something black and white....
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Musings about eReaders (and my Nook)
I have friends who can't believe that I have an eReader. I can't believe my friends can't believe that I have an eReader. To be specific, I have a Nook. I love my Nook.
I've had it for about a year and a half, now and I think I've been more than 5 feet away from it 5 times. (Yes, I'm one of those people who never goes anywhere without a book...) When I buy a new purse, I check to make sure it's big enough for my Nook (and my two cameras, my iPod and my cell phone, but that's a story for another day....)
I decided to get an eReader because I'm running out of room in my house for more books. I have (at a conservative estimate) over 1,000 books. My Nook can hold 2,000 (more or less) books on the internal hard drive, plus I don't know how many more on SD cards. Currently, I have 362 books on my Nook. About 1/3 are books that I've repurchased. I won't be able to repurchase all of my old books--some are out of print, and it would be expensive for the publishers to convert older books to some form of ePub formatting. I wish they would, anyway. I have a lot of books I'd like to put on my Nook.
There are a lot of reasons to get an eReader. For me, it came down to 2 Big Reasons (and 2 Little Reasons I thought of later): 1) Being able to get rid of some books, (while not having to give up any of my books) and 2) vacation travel. See, when I travel, I try to anticipate how many books I'm going to need to take with me (and better to take too many than not enough!) Not a big problem if I'm driving somewhere, or if I'm going to be visiting relatives -- if I run out, I can always run out to a bookstore and get more books. But, if I'm going on a "Destination Holiday," or flying, then it gets to be trickier. If I pack too many books, I might not have enough room for souvenirs. Not enough books and I might run out of things to read. (Although, yes, there isn't a lot of time left over for reading, after journaling about what I've seen, looking at the pictures on the camera and crawling to bed in utter exhaustion.) It's hard to gauge how many books to bring. But, with my Nook, I don't have to worry about it anymore. It's only the size of a trade paperback book, but I can carry all my books with me. Don't feel like re-reading a book? No problem. I can connect with Barnes and Noble and get another book--and keep my feet propped up to relax them.
My Little Reasons for having a Nook are: 1) I can get a book anytime I want a new one. No longer do I have to wait for Barnes and Noble to be open. I don't have to get dressed and rush out to get a book. If I'm at work and finish up a book, I can get a new one while on a break. For someone who is a Night Owl and has a hard time falling asleep, this is a godsend, and 2) if I want to compare books while out, at say, book club, I can easily do so. (Okay, so this reason hasn't happened very often, but that doesn't mean it's not a good reason. It might happen. Someday. Maybe.)
Now, this isn't to say that an eReader is perfect. I've had a few issues with purchasing books (Hanukkah/Christmas can be a horrible time to try to buy new ebooks--the servers get clogged up with everybody buying new books), and sometimes my Nook decides that I meant to turn two or three pages, instead of one. But these are, overall, minor problems. And yes, sometimes I do miss that New Book Smell (which is even better than New Car Smell, in my opinion). But what is really nice is that I can resize the text--which, with my funny vision is pretty cool. It's nice to know I won't get eyestrain from trying to read too small print--or have to worry about being able to find a book I want to read in Large Print.
Oh, and why did I get a Nook instead of a Kindle or any other eReader? I can change the battery myself. Not that I need to worry about doing this very often, but this way, I don't have to be without my Nook while somebody else swaps out the battery.
Well, time to go aMuse myself with a new book....what shall I read today?
I've had it for about a year and a half, now and I think I've been more than 5 feet away from it 5 times. (Yes, I'm one of those people who never goes anywhere without a book...) When I buy a new purse, I check to make sure it's big enough for my Nook (and my two cameras, my iPod and my cell phone, but that's a story for another day....)
I decided to get an eReader because I'm running out of room in my house for more books. I have (at a conservative estimate) over 1,000 books. My Nook can hold 2,000 (more or less) books on the internal hard drive, plus I don't know how many more on SD cards. Currently, I have 362 books on my Nook. About 1/3 are books that I've repurchased. I won't be able to repurchase all of my old books--some are out of print, and it would be expensive for the publishers to convert older books to some form of ePub formatting. I wish they would, anyway. I have a lot of books I'd like to put on my Nook.
There are a lot of reasons to get an eReader. For me, it came down to 2 Big Reasons (and 2 Little Reasons I thought of later): 1) Being able to get rid of some books, (while not having to give up any of my books) and 2) vacation travel. See, when I travel, I try to anticipate how many books I'm going to need to take with me (and better to take too many than not enough!) Not a big problem if I'm driving somewhere, or if I'm going to be visiting relatives -- if I run out, I can always run out to a bookstore and get more books. But, if I'm going on a "Destination Holiday," or flying, then it gets to be trickier. If I pack too many books, I might not have enough room for souvenirs. Not enough books and I might run out of things to read. (Although, yes, there isn't a lot of time left over for reading, after journaling about what I've seen, looking at the pictures on the camera and crawling to bed in utter exhaustion.) It's hard to gauge how many books to bring. But, with my Nook, I don't have to worry about it anymore. It's only the size of a trade paperback book, but I can carry all my books with me. Don't feel like re-reading a book? No problem. I can connect with Barnes and Noble and get another book--and keep my feet propped up to relax them.
My Little Reasons for having a Nook are: 1) I can get a book anytime I want a new one. No longer do I have to wait for Barnes and Noble to be open. I don't have to get dressed and rush out to get a book. If I'm at work and finish up a book, I can get a new one while on a break. For someone who is a Night Owl and has a hard time falling asleep, this is a godsend, and 2) if I want to compare books while out, at say, book club, I can easily do so. (Okay, so this reason hasn't happened very often, but that doesn't mean it's not a good reason. It might happen. Someday. Maybe.)
Now, this isn't to say that an eReader is perfect. I've had a few issues with purchasing books (Hanukkah/Christmas can be a horrible time to try to buy new ebooks--the servers get clogged up with everybody buying new books), and sometimes my Nook decides that I meant to turn two or three pages, instead of one. But these are, overall, minor problems. And yes, sometimes I do miss that New Book Smell (which is even better than New Car Smell, in my opinion). But what is really nice is that I can resize the text--which, with my funny vision is pretty cool. It's nice to know I won't get eyestrain from trying to read too small print--or have to worry about being able to find a book I want to read in Large Print.
Oh, and why did I get a Nook instead of a Kindle or any other eReader? I can change the battery myself. Not that I need to worry about doing this very often, but this way, I don't have to be without my Nook while somebody else swaps out the battery.
Well, time to go aMuse myself with a new book....what shall I read today?
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