Sunday, December 19, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
I guess it's official
I really am old. We had a holiday party at work tonight and I was politely chatting with someone and she mentioned needing glasses to see print as she is getting older. I commiserated and said it's harder for me too. Based on past experience she should have said, "oh you aren't that old." She didn't. This woman is probably 10-12 years older than me and I really don't think I look my age. She should have said I wasn't old. But she didn't. I think that means I'm officially old. I'm feeling rather disheartened tonight. Ok, I know how old I am, maybe the people who said I look younger were just being polite but still. I DON'T WANT TO BE OLD! Most of the time I honestly don't feel like I'm 53. I think in my head I'm about 30. I guess I don't look it though. . .
I was looking for an image and found this book listed on Amazon. I guess the Universe is telling me to get used to it.
I was looking for an image and found this book listed on Amazon. I guess the Universe is telling me to get used to it.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Standing on a soapbox today
I tend to shy away from "taking a stand" on issues. I think life is complex and it's sometimes difficult for me to give an absolute yes or no to something. I have strong opinions about issues but I'm nearly always open to listening to a different point of view and seeing the value of what someone else is saying. That said (I like that phrase), there are at least three issues that I'm adamant about. I'm sure I've mentioned them on this blog in the past and suspect I'll mention them again.
One is same-sex marriage. I don't believe it should be voted on or debated - it should be a given. Of course you have the right to marry anyone you choose no matter what gender. That's it. No discussion.
The second is keeping libraries open and free to the public. Due to economic problems many communities have had library services cut and in some cases lost them completely. Admittedly this is somewhat selfish of me as I can't imagine life without lots of libraries! Seriously I think all communities deserve library service. I believe in knowledge and education and it begins through reading. If you're poor and can't buy books where do you go? The library. I could go on and on about this but I should get to my third issue since that's what the video is about!
So, third issue. Spay and neuter your pets! I found this video at The Conscious Cat blog and it made me cry (the video not the blog!). Our society has created an out-of-control pet population and refuses to take responsibility for it. If you have an animal and you aren't a responsible breeder than get it spayed/neutered. I don't see any other side to this. What I do see is what you'll see in the video - cats who will be killed because they have no home. Yeah kittens and puppies are cute. Not so much when they're dead. The second video, called Shelter Humor, is funny but it's also sad. Unfortunately there are people like that.
One is same-sex marriage. I don't believe it should be voted on or debated - it should be a given. Of course you have the right to marry anyone you choose no matter what gender. That's it. No discussion.
The second is keeping libraries open and free to the public. Due to economic problems many communities have had library services cut and in some cases lost them completely. Admittedly this is somewhat selfish of me as I can't imagine life without lots of libraries! Seriously I think all communities deserve library service. I believe in knowledge and education and it begins through reading. If you're poor and can't buy books where do you go? The library. I could go on and on about this but I should get to my third issue since that's what the video is about!
So, third issue. Spay and neuter your pets! I found this video at The Conscious Cat blog and it made me cry (the video not the blog!). Our society has created an out-of-control pet population and refuses to take responsibility for it. If you have an animal and you aren't a responsible breeder than get it spayed/neutered. I don't see any other side to this. What I do see is what you'll see in the video - cats who will be killed because they have no home. Yeah kittens and puppies are cute. Not so much when they're dead. The second video, called Shelter Humor, is funny but it's also sad. Unfortunately there are people like that.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
More pictures
I took a bunch of pictures today so thought I'd add them as an addition to Silent Sunday. Although they do come with an explanation so I guess it isn't silent. Oh well.
The other night I went to the State Capital to take pictures of the official Christmas Tree. They didn't come out great because I just had my iphone and it doesn't do so well in the dark. I went back tonight and took more and they're a little better but not what I was hoping for. At least you can see the tree though - it's really pretty! I also took some pictures of a street with a bunch of leaves, my cats and some decorations.
After I left the Capital I went down by the river to take some pictures of the Tower Bridge. I love the Tower Bridge in Sacramento. It's my second favorite view here. I got some ok pictures (I'm not a great photographer) and walked for awhile which was nice. Then I decided I was going to get mugged so I left. Well hopefully not mugged but I was a little nervous. There weren't a lot of people around and two teenage boys came up and asked me for money. I said I didn't have any and they said ok and walked off but they were looking at my purse and camera and it made me kind of nervous. I walk fairly often at night and despite stories my siblings could tell you about barring doors, I don't scare all that easily. Just something about them made me decide it was time to go. I figure it's better to trust my instincts in that kind of situation!
Here's a few of the pictures and if you'd like to see the rest you can go to my Picasa web album and look at them.
The other night I went to the State Capital to take pictures of the official Christmas Tree. They didn't come out great because I just had my iphone and it doesn't do so well in the dark. I went back tonight and took more and they're a little better but not what I was hoping for. At least you can see the tree though - it's really pretty! I also took some pictures of a street with a bunch of leaves, my cats and some decorations.
After I left the Capital I went down by the river to take some pictures of the Tower Bridge. I love the Tower Bridge in Sacramento. It's my second favorite view here. I got some ok pictures (I'm not a great photographer) and walked for awhile which was nice. Then I decided I was going to get mugged so I left. Well hopefully not mugged but I was a little nervous. There weren't a lot of people around and two teenage boys came up and asked me for money. I said I didn't have any and they said ok and walked off but they were looking at my purse and camera and it made me kind of nervous. I walk fairly often at night and despite stories my siblings could tell you about barring doors, I don't scare all that easily. Just something about them made me decide it was time to go. I figure it's better to trust my instincts in that kind of situation!
Here's a few of the pictures and if you'd like to see the rest you can go to my Picasa web album and look at them.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Reading Challenges
A couple of years ago I signed up for a reading challenge but didn't finish it. Not because I didn't want to read but I got sidetracked into reading other stuff. Anyway. . . I thought I'd try again for 2011 so I'm joining two reading challenges.
The first is called The 50 States Reading Challenge and the challenge is to read books set in each of the 50 states. I thought this sounded fun. Offhand I can think of a few to put on my list (re-reads count so that helps!) but it's going to require some thinking and research to come up with a book for each state. I think it'll be fun though! Update: I'm working on this list and I think it is going to take awhile! If anyone has suggestions please share them. Particularly if you are from a certain state! Um, except California - I have a huge list in mind to choose from!
The second challenge is called the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge. It's to read mysteries written before 1960. There are different levels to join at depending on how many books you want to read. I joined the Take 'Em to Trial level which is to read 16+ books. This will be very easy to generate a list for. I love mysteries and there are a lot of pre-1960 mysteries I still haven't read.
Oh phooey. While I was doing this post and putting in the links I found another challenge that sounded cool. So I'll do three. . .
The third (and final) challenge is called TBR Pile Challenge.This challenge is to read 12 books from your to be read pile within 12 months. They have to have been on your shelf for at least one year. I'm embarrassed to admit how high my TBR pile is. Let's just say I can find 12 without a problem. Note: The list for this challenge is now posted under the icon in sidebar!
Ok, I have to go get busy on my lists! I'll be posting my lists soon and beginning in January will post reviews and updates. Pretty exciting isn't it!
The first is called The 50 States Reading Challenge and the challenge is to read books set in each of the 50 states. I thought this sounded fun. Offhand I can think of a few to put on my list (re-reads count so that helps!) but it's going to require some thinking and research to come up with a book for each state. I think it'll be fun though! Update: I'm working on this list and I think it is going to take awhile! If anyone has suggestions please share them. Particularly if you are from a certain state! Um, except California - I have a huge list in mind to choose from!
The second challenge is called the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge. It's to read mysteries written before 1960. There are different levels to join at depending on how many books you want to read. I joined the Take 'Em to Trial level which is to read 16+ books. This will be very easy to generate a list for. I love mysteries and there are a lot of pre-1960 mysteries I still haven't read.
Oh phooey. While I was doing this post and putting in the links I found another challenge that sounded cool. So I'll do three. . .
The third (and final) challenge is called TBR Pile Challenge.This challenge is to read 12 books from your to be read pile within 12 months. They have to have been on your shelf for at least one year. I'm embarrassed to admit how high my TBR pile is. Let's just say I can find 12 without a problem. Note: The list for this challenge is now posted under the icon in sidebar!
Ok, I have to go get busy on my lists! I'll be posting my lists soon and beginning in January will post reviews and updates. Pretty exciting isn't it!
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