Christmas seems to turn me into an overly sentimental idiot. Somehow I always end up watching these sappy (overly emotional) Christmas movies, & getting warm fuzzy feelings from these romantic "hallmark card" movies. It's like I become afflicted with some kind of emotional virus. It is true I haven't been in a close relationship with a woman who is not a relative for...well, let's say, for far longer than I care to admit. But really, that's only one small piece of the Christmas season blues. In part it very easily might be seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which affects people when the days get shorter. I'm sure it also is in part related to my immune system disorder (chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome) which limits my bounding energy & enthusiasm somewhat.
Now don't get the idea that I am unhappy, & complaining about my situation in life. I actually consider myself quite fortunate, and to quote a Haitian man I know, I am blessed. It's the time of year when I tend to see the state of the world, as well as the human condition, in a more melancholy light.
During this time, I think more than usual of those people I miss who have been an important part of my life. Relatives & friends who have died over the years, as well as friends who I am no longer in touch with. In the last ten years I have made many friends while leading conversation groups for ESOL (English as another language) learners while being a tutor for Literacy Volunteers. And of course, many of the friends I have made there have moved on to new jobs, other locations, and some going back to their home countries. I think of them all, but those that strike me the most are the ones who disappeared without a blip on the radar. Not knowing where they went, why they left, or what happened to them, well...I can only hope they are well, & wish them the best. But I can't help thinking about them.
So. My plan is to not watch too many holiday movies, read more (I am currently reading The Time Traveler's Almanac), blog more regularly, & spend more time learning Mandarin, which will come in handy when I finally meet a beautiful, & let's not forget available, Chinese woman (of course she really doesn't have to be Chinese; or speak Mandarin for that matter).
Anyroad, I'm off to pick-up a couple of things at the store before I can get back to reading up on time travel, & how to avoid the dangers of putting it to use. Assuming there's no time paradox, I shall post something else here sometime in the near future.
As the British say, Cheers!
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Ten Books That Rocked My World
A friend of mine was tagged by someone on FB to list 10 of his favorite books. I forget what the rules (if there were any) of selection were, but that's where the idea came from. I chose the following books because of the impact they had on me at the time I read them, and the fondness I still feel for them. The list is as chronological as I could remember in the order I read them, but I'm sure it's not exact. And it covers a good number of years.
1) Rod Serling's/Twilight Zone Ghost Stories - I don't remember the actual title of the book, although it was something like that. And I only remember one story from the book, but it was the first time I remember being truly scared. I was roughly 10 years old at the time. The story I remember was about a pair of professional ghost hunters who finally encountered an actual haunting. I got so spooked that I lifted my feet up onto the couch out of fear something would grab me from underneath it. And so began my complete fascination with ghost stories.
2) The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien- I did, of course, thoroughly enjoy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but The Hobbit has a special place in my heart. I associate the warm memory of it with my childhood. And although I did re-read The Lord of the Rings, I would not be able to count the number of times I have read & re-read The Hobbit.
3) A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess- This book was actually recommended to me by a high school English Teacher of mine. I didn't see the movie until many years later. It did not have the impact on me that the book did. The book stunned me.
4) Sometimes A Great Notion by Ken Kesey- This novel was not anywhere near as popular as One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, but it was my favorite Kesey novel, & quite impressed me at the time.
5) The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin- Another milestone for me. It led me to the reading of countless science fiction novels & stories. It really did open up my appreciation for the genre.
6) The Stand by Stephen King- I have read quite a few stories & novels by Stephen King, but The Stand I will always remember as a favorite. It awoke in me the twisted love I have for apocalyptic novels of all kinds.
7) The Gates of Anubis by Tim Powers- This is one of 4 books listed here that I have read multiple times. Tim Powers is very difficult to categorize in my opinion. He is unique. I have read many of his books, & this will always be a favorite of mine.
8) Mickelsson's Ghosts by John Gardner- Gardner was another favorite author of mine. Unfortunately for the literary world, he died at the age of 51 in a motorcycle accident. Mickelsson's Ghosts was not as well known as Grendel, or The Sunshine Dialogues, but it was my favorite of all the books he wrote. It was also semi-autobiographical to a degree, although a work of fiction.
9) Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons- Another one of the books I was compelled to read more than once. It also hooked me on Simmons. Anything I haven't read of his, be it horror, mainstream or sf, I have in my possession and just haven't gotten to yet.
10) Consider Phlebas by Ian M. Banks- I believe this was the first book I read by Banks, & it was the first novel about the Culture. The protagonist was both heroic and tragic. And again, I was once again hooked on another author.
And there they are. Ten books that have added a great deal to my life, one way or another. It was quite impossible to not think about what 10 books I would choose once the idea had entered my mind. Kind of like a song that you can't stop humming or whistling once it's in your head. So, needing someone to blame, I blame Matt. He knows who he is. I know it wasn't his idea originally, but if it wasn't for him, the damn song never would have found a home in my head.
1) Rod Serling's/Twilight Zone Ghost Stories - I don't remember the actual title of the book, although it was something like that. And I only remember one story from the book, but it was the first time I remember being truly scared. I was roughly 10 years old at the time. The story I remember was about a pair of professional ghost hunters who finally encountered an actual haunting. I got so spooked that I lifted my feet up onto the couch out of fear something would grab me from underneath it. And so began my complete fascination with ghost stories.
2) The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien- I did, of course, thoroughly enjoy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but The Hobbit has a special place in my heart. I associate the warm memory of it with my childhood. And although I did re-read The Lord of the Rings, I would not be able to count the number of times I have read & re-read The Hobbit.
3) A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess- This book was actually recommended to me by a high school English Teacher of mine. I didn't see the movie until many years later. It did not have the impact on me that the book did. The book stunned me.
4) Sometimes A Great Notion by Ken Kesey- This novel was not anywhere near as popular as One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, but it was my favorite Kesey novel, & quite impressed me at the time.
5) The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin- Another milestone for me. It led me to the reading of countless science fiction novels & stories. It really did open up my appreciation for the genre.
6) The Stand by Stephen King- I have read quite a few stories & novels by Stephen King, but The Stand I will always remember as a favorite. It awoke in me the twisted love I have for apocalyptic novels of all kinds.
7) The Gates of Anubis by Tim Powers- This is one of 4 books listed here that I have read multiple times. Tim Powers is very difficult to categorize in my opinion. He is unique. I have read many of his books, & this will always be a favorite of mine.
8) Mickelsson's Ghosts by John Gardner- Gardner was another favorite author of mine. Unfortunately for the literary world, he died at the age of 51 in a motorcycle accident. Mickelsson's Ghosts was not as well known as Grendel, or The Sunshine Dialogues, but it was my favorite of all the books he wrote. It was also semi-autobiographical to a degree, although a work of fiction.
9) Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons- Another one of the books I was compelled to read more than once. It also hooked me on Simmons. Anything I haven't read of his, be it horror, mainstream or sf, I have in my possession and just haven't gotten to yet.
10) Consider Phlebas by Ian M. Banks- I believe this was the first book I read by Banks, & it was the first novel about the Culture. The protagonist was both heroic and tragic. And again, I was once again hooked on another author.
And there they are. Ten books that have added a great deal to my life, one way or another. It was quite impossible to not think about what 10 books I would choose once the idea had entered my mind. Kind of like a song that you can't stop humming or whistling once it's in your head. So, needing someone to blame, I blame Matt. He knows who he is. I know it wasn't his idea originally, but if it wasn't for him, the damn song never would have found a home in my head.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Remembrance of Things Past (Yup, I Stole That Title)
A quick update. Had a bit of a bumpy weekend. It seems I also have to eliminate mayonnaise from my diet as well. Curse! my overly sensitive digestive tract! But today was definitely better, particularly after getting out for a good 5 mile jog this morning.
Anyroad (anyway).
Saturday was a gray and somewhat gloomy day with a little light rain. A perfect day to hang out at home. I stumbled across the movie Notting Hill, a romantic comedy with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, (for those of you who haven't seen it) on TV. I sat through it while thinking of my brother Jeff, who passed on unexpectedly back in 2005. It was a favorite movie of his, and I enjoyed watching it while remembering him.
I also finished reading Lewis Shiner's novel, Black & White, which held me captive right up until the end. The story is a work of fiction, but has a lot of history of the Civil Rights Movement in it. Among other things, including being a love story, it's a story of racism that seems to have always existed in this country. It seems inconceivable that we haven't progressed beyond this ugly kind of hatred. But if you care to look at the continual attacks on the first black President we have ever had, well...it does appear Racism is alive and well in the US of A. Scary. And, very upsetting.
It did bring to mind memories of the small, very white town I grew up in, and what happened to the only two black families that ever moved in. They didn't stay long. And reading the book brought to mind other memories, of the media coverage of the events surrounding the Civil Rights Movement, and personal memories of that time as well. All in all, it was a good day for reflection.
As they say, the past is always with us. It's shadow is cast upon the present, and reaches into the future.
On that note, it's past my bedtime. I'm no longer the night owl I used to be. Dream well...
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Reading Saved My Life (More than Once)
I'm very lucky to have fallen in love with reading when I was a boy. I have always loved to read. There have been occasions when it has helped me stay sane, and made life bearable in difficult times. It got me through an emotional end to a relationship while living in South San Francisco, where I was conveniently living almost right across the street from the local Library. Reading also played a major role in keeping me from having a complete meltdown while working a high stress job in Houston that was further complicated with an extremely antagonistic office situation. While there, other than going out for morning runs, I would spend weekends reading science fiction novels, old (classic) and modern, that once again I would get from the local Library.
Reading did quite literally play I large role in keeping me alive when I came down with CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome; the key being Immune Dysfunction, as more than one other person my family has an auto-immune system disease). It took me ten years to battle my way back to being able to live on my own again. In the early years of my disorder, I thought of suicide quite frequently, knowing that my life before CFIDS was over. But reading, and an amazing little bird I named Harry, made my life interesting enough (and then some) to keep going on. That would probably rate as the toughest period I've gone through in my yet young life.
Reading has taken center stage again in keeping me whole and balanced. This year hasn't been exactly a banner year for me. I saw last year out by breaking my arm and tearing up my shoulder. My right (dominant) arm and shoulder, of course. Effectively laying me up for the winter. It was only with the aid of friends & family that I was able to get through what I think of as one helluva bad winter. And only with the fine writing of many outstanding authors, and maybe a few not so outstanding, that I was able to fight off cabin fever.
It took a good while, a lot longer than I would have liked, to recover. And along the way, certain symptoms of my immune system disorder flared up. But surprisingly, only after the pain meds ran out.One symptom in particular, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) ramped up in a big way. Sleep became extremely problematic. Many nights I would wake with cramps and abdominal pain. It would take me anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to be able to fall back asleep. With the help of some ginger/peppermint tea, and of course a good book. Some nights I nights I wouldn't get back to sleep at all. On those nights I got a considerable amount of reading done.
It's still ongoing, but I believe I am improving. I saw an interview with Jennifer Esposito who wrote a book about her ordeal with Celiac Disease. I was having a lot of the same symptoms she had, abdominal pain accompanied by anxiety attacks, and of course, depression. So, long story short, I decided to cut out gluten and dairy. Not an easy thing to do. But I am slowly beginning to feel better. They say gluten withdrawal (yup, just like a drug) takes a few weeks. Anyroad (anyway, if you prefer), my bird friend Eddie (Harry died back in 2007, & is still missed) and many fine books have, and still are seeing me through it all.
It would be too much to try to list all the books I've been reading, but here's a few. I would like to thank Subterranean Press for publishing so many fine volumes, including collections like The Inheritance & Other Stories by Megan Lindholm/Robin Hobb, The Sky Wraps Around by the late Jay Lake, and The Best of Kage Baker, who also has passed on, and will be missed by many.
Two of my favorite series that I am addicted to are, Christpher Fowler's Bryant & May Peculiar Crimes detective novels, and Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins Mystery novels. As far as I'm concerned, these 2 series of novels just keep getting better & better.
As far as what I am currently reading, I just finished Lauren Beukes' Moxyland, which I think was her exceptional debut novel and a quite scary picture of a very possible corporate future. And I will read the other three novels she wrote since that I know of. And at this moment I am reading Lewis Shiner's Black & White, which is another exceptional publication by Subterranean Press. I'm only about 50 pages in, but I'm already hooked.
A guy I know, after seeing all the books in my place, said you don't have a life, you have many lives. I feel pretty damn blessed for all the books I've been lucky enough to be able to read, and all I will have the opportunity to read. God willing, & the creek don't rise.
Reading did quite literally play I large role in keeping me alive when I came down with CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome; the key being Immune Dysfunction, as more than one other person my family has an auto-immune system disease). It took me ten years to battle my way back to being able to live on my own again. In the early years of my disorder, I thought of suicide quite frequently, knowing that my life before CFIDS was over. But reading, and an amazing little bird I named Harry, made my life interesting enough (and then some) to keep going on. That would probably rate as the toughest period I've gone through in my yet young life.
Reading has taken center stage again in keeping me whole and balanced. This year hasn't been exactly a banner year for me. I saw last year out by breaking my arm and tearing up my shoulder. My right (dominant) arm and shoulder, of course. Effectively laying me up for the winter. It was only with the aid of friends & family that I was able to get through what I think of as one helluva bad winter. And only with the fine writing of many outstanding authors, and maybe a few not so outstanding, that I was able to fight off cabin fever.
It took a good while, a lot longer than I would have liked, to recover. And along the way, certain symptoms of my immune system disorder flared up. But surprisingly, only after the pain meds ran out.One symptom in particular, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) ramped up in a big way. Sleep became extremely problematic. Many nights I would wake with cramps and abdominal pain. It would take me anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to be able to fall back asleep. With the help of some ginger/peppermint tea, and of course a good book. Some nights I nights I wouldn't get back to sleep at all. On those nights I got a considerable amount of reading done.
It's still ongoing, but I believe I am improving. I saw an interview with Jennifer Esposito who wrote a book about her ordeal with Celiac Disease. I was having a lot of the same symptoms she had, abdominal pain accompanied by anxiety attacks, and of course, depression. So, long story short, I decided to cut out gluten and dairy. Not an easy thing to do. But I am slowly beginning to feel better. They say gluten withdrawal (yup, just like a drug) takes a few weeks. Anyroad (anyway, if you prefer), my bird friend Eddie (Harry died back in 2007, & is still missed) and many fine books have, and still are seeing me through it all.
It would be too much to try to list all the books I've been reading, but here's a few. I would like to thank Subterranean Press for publishing so many fine volumes, including collections like The Inheritance & Other Stories by Megan Lindholm/Robin Hobb, The Sky Wraps Around by the late Jay Lake, and The Best of Kage Baker, who also has passed on, and will be missed by many.
Two of my favorite series that I am addicted to are, Christpher Fowler's Bryant & May Peculiar Crimes detective novels, and Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins Mystery novels. As far as I'm concerned, these 2 series of novels just keep getting better & better.
As far as what I am currently reading, I just finished Lauren Beukes' Moxyland, which I think was her exceptional debut novel and a quite scary picture of a very possible corporate future. And I will read the other three novels she wrote since that I know of. And at this moment I am reading Lewis Shiner's Black & White, which is another exceptional publication by Subterranean Press. I'm only about 50 pages in, but I'm already hooked.
A guy I know, after seeing all the books in my place, said you don't have a life, you have many lives. I feel pretty damn blessed for all the books I've been lucky enough to be able to read, and all I will have the opportunity to read. God willing, & the creek don't rise.
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