what books are you reading?
January 24th, 2022 at 12:40:12 PM
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______________
noir fiction is what I am enjoying now
I've read and re-read all of Raymond Chandler - what a master he was
just finished David Goodis's_____________ "Secret Squad" and ________ "Shoot the Piano Player" __________ great stuff IMO__________the violence is exaggerated but that's okay
also really impressed with Jim Thompson's__________ "The Killer Inside Me" and_________ "Grifters"
and now I'm on to Megan Abbott's______ "Queenpin"____________she's a trip____________the setting is a casino town with all the mobbed up crooks - but she doesn't name the city or say what year
.
noir fiction is what I am enjoying now
I've read and re-read all of Raymond Chandler - what a master he was
just finished David Goodis's_____________ "Secret Squad" and ________ "Shoot the Piano Player" __________ great stuff IMO__________the violence is exaggerated but that's okay
also really impressed with Jim Thompson's__________ "The Killer Inside Me" and_________ "Grifters"
and now I'm on to Megan Abbott's______ "Queenpin"____________she's a trip____________the setting is a casino town with all the mobbed up crooks - but she doesn't name the city or say what year
.
Last edited by: lilredrooster on Jan 24, 2022
Please don't feed the trolls
January 20th, 2023 at 8:11:56 AM
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Crime & Punishment by Dostoyevsky
January 20th, 2023 at 8:51:01 AM
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I've been doing audiobooks for a little light entertainment while I travel, lately. (Library apps? +EV. My library cards get me stuff through Libby and Hoopla.)
Currently on: Neuromancer
Recent:
Citizen of the Galaxy
Speaker for the Dead
Glory Road
Axiom's End (would recommend)
Atlas Shrugged
Man's Search for Meaning
most of the Harry Potter series (next in line on the hold list for Deathly Hallows. While I am not a particular fan of HERMIONE AND GINNY VERSUS THE SPACE WIZARDS, I have read the whole thing, because I do like QC.)
Currently on: Neuromancer
Recent:
Citizen of the Galaxy
Speaker for the Dead
Glory Road
Axiom's End (would recommend)
Atlas Shrugged
Man's Search for Meaning
most of the Harry Potter series (next in line on the hold list for Deathly Hallows. While I am not a particular fan of HERMIONE AND GINNY VERSUS THE SPACE WIZARDS, I have read the whole thing, because I do like QC.)
May the cards fall in your favor.
January 20th, 2023 at 11:38:50 AM
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A Brief History of Almost Everything by Bill Bryson
Last edited by: gordonm888 on Jan 31, 2023
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
January 20th, 2023 at 12:21:36 PM
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Sun Tzu - The Art of War
Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li
Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li
January 20th, 2023 at 12:29:12 PM
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Battle Maps of the Civil War, in preparation for my spring road trip.
Steal Like An Artist, by Austin Kleon.
Steal Like An Artist, by Austin Kleon.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
January 20th, 2023 at 1:58:09 PM
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Quote: sevenSun Tzu - The Art of War
Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li
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The Art of War is interesting.
Which translation - and accordingly, which annotations you get - make a HUGE difference with this book.
Without the context, it reads like it was written by Captain Obvious.
May the cards fall in your favor.
January 20th, 2023 at 2:54:46 PM
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Satchel by Larry Tye.
January 20th, 2023 at 3:10:42 PM
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Quote: DieterQuote: sevenSun Tzu - The Art of War
Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li
link to original post
The Art of War is interesting.
Which translation - and accordingly, which annotations you get - make a HUGE difference with this book.
Without the context, it reads like it was written by Captain Obvious.
link to original post
I have the tapes where George Santos dictated it to Mr. Sun.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
January 20th, 2023 at 4:16:43 PM
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"101 Zen Stories," edited by Paul Repps.
Better than the bible...
Better than the bible...
"What, me worry?"
January 20th, 2023 at 5:00:16 PM
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Quote: gordonm888The History of Everything by Bill Bryson
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Bryson never disappoints. Too bad he's retired from writing
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
January 20th, 2023 at 5:01:27 PM
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I'm reading the latest Jack Reacher book, they really are not as good since he started writing with his brother.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
January 20th, 2023 at 6:48:48 PM
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Solzhenitsyn -- The Red Wheel, March 1917 - Node III book 1
January 20th, 2023 at 11:20:29 PM
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Quote: DieterQuote: sevenSun Tzu - The Art of War
Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li
link to original post
The Art of War is interesting.
Which translation - and accordingly, which annotations you get - make a HUGE difference with this book.
Without the context, it reads like it was written by Captain Obvious.
link to original post
you are absolutely correct and to be more clear it is the book
Sun Tzu's Art of War for Traders and Investors
by Dean Lundell
I have the book for about 20 years and read it every 1-2 years since then.
January 31st, 2023 at 7:35:45 AM
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I was just introduced to "General Relativity for babies".
Big chuckle. Apparently it is part of a series.
Big chuckle. Apparently it is part of a series.
May the cards fall in your favor.
January 31st, 2023 at 8:20:25 AM
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A German company just published an oversized book that contains not only Fantastic Four 1-20, but also reprints much of the artwork
in the original black and white. It's a monster of a book, approx. 20X 14, roughly twice the size of a comic book so the art is twice the size and jumps off the page. It weighs 12 pounds, so if you are looking for a coffee table, you might consider it.
It's the third in a series that is reprinting early Marvel comics. The first two they did were Spider-man and The Avengers.
They retail for over $200 but Amazon usually has them at discounts.
in the original black and white. It's a monster of a book, approx. 20X 14, roughly twice the size of a comic book so the art is twice the size and jumps off the page. It weighs 12 pounds, so if you are looking for a coffee table, you might consider it.
It's the third in a series that is reprinting early Marvel comics. The first two they did were Spider-man and The Avengers.
They retail for over $200 but Amazon usually has them at discounts.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
January 31st, 2023 at 9:59:29 AM
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Just started "Bloodless" by Preston & Child.
"What, me worry?"
January 31st, 2023 at 10:32:10 AM
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Quote: EvenBobI'm reading the latest Jack Reacher book, they really are not as good since he started writing with his brother.
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I've read every previous Reacher book but skipped this one because the reviews were terrible. I did pick up a copy in a store and read part of a random page and it did not read well.
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
February 1st, 2023 at 6:21:13 PM
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Quote: gordonm888Quote: EvenBobI'm reading the latest Jack Reacher book, they really are not as good since he started writing with his brother.
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I've read every previous Reacher book but skipped this one because the reviews were terrible. I did pick up a copy in a store and read part of a random page and it did not read well.
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I was actually reading the one before the last one, Better Off Dead. It was awful, the worst Reacher book I ever read. It was in the first person which always sucks anyway, but it just didn't seem like Jack Reacher. And the story was boring as crap it had a terrible ending. I heard the last book is even worse so I'm not even going to order it until it's really cheap in paperback.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
February 2nd, 2023 at 4:44:51 AM
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You people are making me feel guilty. i rarely read books anymore when home. I will read books when on an airplane or a beach but I don't know if I have read more than two books in the last five years while at home.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
February 2nd, 2023 at 7:48:50 AM
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Quote: DRichYou people are making me feel guilty. i rarely read books anymore when home. I will read books when on an airplane or a beach but I don't know if I have read more than two books in the last five years while at home.
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Something else you can have put on your tombstone. I never read books, especially when I was eating food I bought at the local gas station.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
February 2nd, 2023 at 9:18:40 AM
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Quote: DRichYou people are making me feel guilty. i rarely read books anymore when home. I will read books when on an airplane or a beach but I don't know if I have read more than two books in the last five years while at home.
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Expanding on EB's idea, I turn my clock back two hours daily. It's amazing what you can accomplish with the extra time. I get up at 8 AM, turn back my clocks, and two hours later, it's still 8 AM. I use the extra time for reading, writing, and catching up with the world.
I'm working on a new, better way to tell time. One that is based around meals. Instead of using a clock to tell when to eat, I want to use meals to tell me the time.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 2nd, 2023 at 11:03:54 AM
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Quote: billryanQuote: DRichYou people are making me feel guilty. i rarely read books anymore when home. I will read books when on an airplane or a beach but I don't know if I have read more than two books in the last five years while at home.
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Expanding on EB's idea, I turn my clock back two hours daily. ]
That would be a ridiculous idea, you obviously have no idea what I'm doing.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
February 2nd, 2023 at 1:03:33 PM
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Quote: EvenBobQuote: billryanQuote: DRichYou people are making me feel guilty. i rarely read books anymore when home. I will read books when on an airplane or a beach but I don't know if I have read more than two books in the last five years while at home.
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Expanding on EB's idea, I turn my clock back two hours daily. ]
That would be a ridiculous idea, you obviously have no idea what I'm doing.
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It's the best thing I've done. Allow me to give you an example.
I woke up today at 8:04. I Checked some auctions I have running, glanced at the sports updates, and watched two episodes of Wolf Pack. By the time I finished breakfast, it would have been ten thirty, and I'd have accomplished nothing. By turning the clock back two hours, I could get in a quick workout, a nice long shower, give my yard a once over after yesterday's dust devils, and get in two hours of study. All before noon.
The best part is my friends start their Happy Hour at 5 PM while mine starts at 3 O'clock. When I get home, I move the clock ahead two hours and have a late dinner. The trick is to count every day as a single session.
If changing my clock twice a year is a good idea, changing it daily is genius.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 2nd, 2023 at 2:09:06 PM
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Quote: EvenBobQuote: DRichYou people are making me feel guilty. i rarely read books anymore when home. I will read books when on an airplane or a beach but I don't know if I have read more than two books in the last five years while at home.
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Something else you can have put on your tombstone. I never read books, especially when I was eating food I bought at the local gas station.
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It is not unusual for me to read five books on a weeks vacation.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
February 2nd, 2023 at 2:13:46 PM
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Think of what you could do with an extra two hours a day on vacation.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 2nd, 2023 at 2:16:28 PM
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Quote: billryanThink of what you could do with an extra two hours a day on vacation.
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I probably read 8 to 10 hours a day when on vacation. My vacations consist of sitting on a beach chair while people bring me drinks and food. I spend at least 6-8 hours on the beach every day.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
February 2nd, 2023 at 3:07:18 PM
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Quote: billryanThink of what you could do with an extra two hours a day on vacation.
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Changing timezones more than 5 times in 12 days tends to take a toll on a body. (source: fallible personal observation)
May the cards fall in your favor.
February 2nd, 2023 at 4:09:32 PM
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Quote: DieterQuote: billryanThink of what you could do with an extra two hours a day on vacation.
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Changing timezones more than 5 times in 12 days tends to take a toll on a body. (source: fallible personal observation)
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Drink one pint of water for every time zone crossed on the day you travel, and reduce the extra water by a pint a day. That's for a tourist, not someone who regularly does the NY-Rome flight.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 2nd, 2023 at 4:12:29 PM
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I just read The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. Pretty good. I think this was her first book but it made the NYTimes bestseller list. The writing is a bit rough in spots. Unusual plot and much of it is set in turn of the century (1900s) NYC, in an immigrant Hassidic Jewish community.
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
February 2nd, 2023 at 4:13:07 PM
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Quote: DRichQuote: billryanThink of what you could do with an extra two hours a day on vacation.
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I probably read 8 to 10 hours a day when on vacation. My vacations consist of sitting on a beach chair while people bring me drinks and food. I spend at least 6-8 hours on the beach every day.
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My life consists of sitting on a recliner, watching the mountains. I call it Thursday.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 2nd, 2023 at 4:26:02 PM
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Also this:
The novel/novelette was set in Africa and had moments of lyrical brilliance. I liked the ending. Its not much about Kilimanjaro, though. Then I watched the Hollywood movie, circa 1949? and it was vomitously bad, boring and slow. In the film they change the ending of the story to make it happy and upbeat, which made me furious. Hemingway was writing about something, and Hollywood made it into a film about nothing.
The novel/novelette was set in Africa and had moments of lyrical brilliance. I liked the ending. Its not much about Kilimanjaro, though. Then I watched the Hollywood movie, circa 1949? and it was vomitously bad, boring and slow. In the film they change the ending of the story to make it happy and upbeat, which made me furious. Hemingway was writing about something, and Hollywood made it into a film about nothing.
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
February 2nd, 2023 at 4:26:13 PM
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Quote: billryanQuote: DRichQuote: billryanThink of what you could do with an extra two hours a day on vacation.
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I probably read 8 to 10 hours a day when on vacation. My vacations consist of sitting on a beach chair while people bring me drinks and food. I spend at least 6-8 hours on the beach every day.
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My life consists of sitting on a recliner, watching the mountains. I call it Thursday.
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Sadly, my life consists of staring at a computer screen 14 hours a day.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
February 2nd, 2023 at 5:39:23 PM
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Quote: DRichQuote: billryanQuote: DRichQuote: billryanThink of what you could do with an extra two hours a day on vacation.
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I probably read 8 to 10 hours a day when on vacation. My vacations consist of sitting on a beach chair while people bring me drinks and food. I spend at least 6-8 hours on the beach every day.
link to original post
My life consists of sitting on a recliner, watching the mountains. I call it Thursday.
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Sadly, my life consists of staring at a computer screen 14 hours a day.
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Floating on a pool chair? Life is tough.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 2nd, 2023 at 6:37:14 PM
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Quote: billryanQuote: EvenBobQuote: billryanQuote: DRichYou people are making me feel guilty. i rarely read books anymore when home. I will read books when on an airplane or a beach but I don't know if I have read more than two books in the last five years while at home.
link to original post
Expanding on EB's idea, I turn my clock back two hours daily. ]
That would be a ridiculous idea, you obviously have no idea what I'm doing.
link to original post
It's the best thing I've done. Allow me to give you an example.
Why not turn your calendar back a week look at all the stuff you can catch up on. You'll have a whole extra week and you'll live longer. I think you're really on to something, genius. Snicker.. All I'm doing is winter daylight savings time which I stole from somebody else. It was Benjamin Franklin's idea. But it's nothing compared to what you're doing. Why not turn your calendar back a month, oh my God the possibilities are endless. Double Snicker
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
February 2nd, 2023 at 9:13:05 PM
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Quote: billryanQuote: DieterQuote: billryanThink of what you could do with an extra two hours a day on vacation.
link to original post
Changing timezones more than 5 times in 12 days tends to take a toll on a body. (source: fallible personal observation)
link to original post
Drink one pint of water for every time zone crossed on the day you travel, and reduce the extra water by a pint a day. That's for a tourist, not someone who regularly does the NY-Rome flight.
link to original post
I'm not quite trying a 6 hour daily shift anymore, thankfully.
1 or 2 hour daily adjustments do seem to pile up.
And yes, the tourist tricks only mitigate a bit of the sting, when they can be applied.
May the cards fall in your favor.
February 3rd, 2023 at 7:49:33 AM
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I woke up this morning at 630AM. I'd tossed and turned all night but there wasn't much time left to get more sleep. However, I incorporated EB's method and chose that it was 430 AM and went back to sleep. woke up just now, much more refreshed.
I should have done this years ago.
I should have done this years ago.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 3rd, 2023 at 8:17:21 AM
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Quote: billryanI woke up this morning at 630AM. I'd tossed and turned all night but there wasn't much time left to get more sleep. However, I incorporated EB's method and chose that it was 430 AM and went back to sleep. woke up just now, much more refreshed.
I should have done this years ago.
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What happens if you turn the clock back 24 hours?
February 3rd, 2023 at 8:39:52 AM
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Quote: DoubleGoldQuote: billryanI woke up this morning at 630AM. I'd tossed and turned all night but there wasn't much time left to get more sleep. However, I incorporated EB's method and chose that it was 430 AM and went back to sleep. woke up just now, much more refreshed.
I should have done this years ago.
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What happens if you turn the clock back 24 hours?
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If it is 630 AM and there isn't enough time to get more sleep, what would turning the clock back 24 hours accomplish? It would still be 630 AM, and I wouldn't be able to get more sleep. Turning it back two hours has worked well so far. The key is going forward two hours before you go to sleep. I'm not sure what would happen if I forget to reset it and then go back another two hours tomorrow.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 3rd, 2023 at 9:02:37 AM
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This thread is about books you have read. If you persist in talking about time zone shifts, I will shift all the posts on this topic to a new thread.
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
February 3rd, 2023 at 9:05:25 AM
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Quote: gordonm888This thread is about books you have read. If you persist in talking about time zone shifts, I will shift all the posts on this topic to a new thread.
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That works for me.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 3rd, 2023 at 9:35:30 AM
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I am currently reading "1863", an alternative history of the Civil War. It started well enough, but somehow the author has half of The Army of North Virginia fighting in Pennsylvania, then boarding a train and arriving in Mississippi two days later with their wagons and pack animals. They then march from Vicksburg to Nashville in under a week. A Civil War army moved at a pace of 15-20 miles a day, and a few units could do thirty miles in a day, but 450 miles would normally take a month. For some bizarre reason, the author keeps talking about how young and pretty General Grant's aides and attaches are, and it seems to imply the entire Union army is less manly than their rebel counterparts.
He uses the fact that many Union soldiers wore glasses as a sign of their inferiority, whereas the truth was many Southern soldiers were dirt poor and couldn't afford them.
He uses the fact that many Union soldiers wore glasses as a sign of their inferiority, whereas the truth was many Southern soldiers were dirt poor and couldn't afford them.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 3rd, 2023 at 10:41:18 AM
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Next on deck:
sheepish apologies
6:30 is the best time to wake.
Hands down.
Hands down.
May the cards fall in your favor.
February 3rd, 2023 at 10:46:41 AM
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Quote: DieterNext on deck:
sheepish apologies6:30 is the best time to wake.
Hands down.
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I have the audio book, but he doesn't do the reading. I lost interest about halfway through the story.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 3rd, 2023 at 11:39:13 AM
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You forgot to mention your favorite...Quote: MrV"101 Zen Stories," edited by Paul Repps.
Better than the bible...
link to original post
Young Axl Rose and Cake Cream in 2022! :D By Nathan/Tasha/Karen.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
February 3rd, 2023 at 11:48:22 AM
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Quote: billryanI woke up this morning at 630AM. I'd tossed and turned all night but there wasn't much time left to get more sleep. However, I incorporated EB's method and chose that it was 430 AM and went back to sleep. woke up just now, much more refreshed.
I should have done this years ago.
link to original post
If you woke up and turned your Calendar back to Thanksgiving you could sleep till Christmas. The possibilities are endless. I only do winter daylight savings time but you're really on to something.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
February 3rd, 2023 at 11:56:51 AM
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I agree. It's amazing what an extra two hours a day will do. I never realized how fungible time can be.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
February 3rd, 2023 at 12:06:21 PM
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Quote: AxelWolfYou forgot to mention your favorite...Young Axl Rose and Cake Cream in 2022! :D By Nathan/Tasha/Karen.
How silly of me to overlook poor Tasha's one shot at the brass ring...and how insensitive of me to drop a flurry of deuces all over her manuscript.
Her time-traveling rock 'n roll fantasy may not be as good as "A Confederacy of Dunces" but hope springs eternal: one can only hope that her thinking, composing and writing skills will somehow improve over time, and that she can remove the dark cloud of ineptitude, mediocrity and inability which seems to cloud her writing skills.
Currently, reading her bizarre tale is like listening to fingernails raking a blackboard.
Yes, it really IS that bad.
Last edited by: MrV on Feb 3, 2023
"What, me worry?"
February 3rd, 2023 at 12:33:00 PM
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Quote: billryanQuote: DieterNext on deck:
sheepish apologies6:30 is the best time to wake.
Hands down.
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I have the audio book, but he doesn't do the reading. I lost interest about halfway through the story.
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I'm not complaining. I find synthetic voices hard to follow at speeds beyond 3:2.
May the cards fall in your favor.
