Day something or other of the 50 Day Book Meme

I forgot which number I was on, the Prompts aren't numbered. (No, I don't count well - I tend to skip over numbers without realizing it.)

The prompt is somewhat contradictory - A book by an author you've never read before.

So basically it's clear that you haven't read the book, because it's by an author you've never read.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson - who has been rec'd to me since roughly 2002. A navy nurse working in Japan loved Kim Stanely Robinson, and met her husband looking for his books. And half my correspondence list loves him.

Even Barack Obama likes Kim Stanley Robinson - one of the recent books made Obama's reading list this year.

So I guess I should read him at some point?

Day #292 - Punching Jello

Sigh.




I told my mother that I felt like I was punching jello.

No, no walk today. But hey, I got my fudge yesterday (still not as good as mother's million dollar fudge) and cookies are apparently being delivered today. (I'd given up on them. If I'm not careful - I could throw myself into a sugar coma.)

Mother can't walk. The sciatic nerve down her leg is so bad, she feels sick to her stomach. She called me from her walker. She couldn't make it to the couch. They have round-robin health care workers now - helping out. One stayed with my father, while the other took mother to get an x-ray on her back, she's thinking she may need an MRI, but is dreading getting on the table because of the pain. She's on a muscle relaxant, steroids and various painkillers.

I'd suggest acupuncture or something - but a) that did not work with my father, and b) mother doesn't do massage well - she tenses up. And c) pandemic!

There's not a thing I can do. Whenever I read about people who were able to be there for their parents, stayed with them, visit them, and help them in person - I just want to scream. I told this to mother - and she told me not to even go there. I'm correct, she told me, it's not my fault. And I know that. It's not my brother's either. My parents picked a place that could help them - and it is. I just feel...like I am punching jello.

The elections

Less said the better. Although, it appears the Democrats might win those two Senate Seats in Georgia. So good news there.

New York vs. the Corona Virus

Both the Mayor and the Governor (who've been fighting again) agree that the Federal government screwed us. The virulent strain has hit the US because the stupid Federal Government didn't ban international travel or at the very least require everyone be tested. The Governor just wanted everyone to be tested.

The Mayor and Governor are fighting over how the hospitals are distributing the vaccines, and what should be done about it. The Governor wants to fine the ones who are not doing it properly or possibly take the vaccines away from them and give it to someone who can distribute them. The Mayor doesn't believe there's any problem, and it's just a shortage of vaccines, and/or people who refuse to take them - and is blaming the State for not providing better guidance.

The Reporters are confused, as are we all.

And, the virulent strain is a game-changer. It's not more severe, just more contagious. Actually the more deadly a virus is - the less damage it leaves in its wake - see Ebola. If the host can't survive, the virus can't spread. But if it effects people differently - some get really ill, some die, some have no symptoms, some mild case - that spreads better.



Smartbitches had issues with Bridgerton - considering some of the books these people rec and love, it's kind of hard to take them seriously. I've gotten and read more horrible romance novels from them than I care to count.

I finally learned to be more discerning. Just because they liked it, did not mean I would. Also GA Aiken can't write - sorry, she can't. [Just because a book proclaims your world view doesn't make it technically good. It does require a bit more than that.]

Anyhow, I tried to read their chat about Bridgerton - or a transcription of their chat about it, and gave up. They kept talking about the show having consent issues - and I thought, what consent issues? I don't remember any consent issues. Finally - they provided more information - apparently they had issues with Daphne taking charge in a sex scene and not letting Simon withdraw his penis early, so he couldn't impregnate her with his seed. (Kind of the early 18th version of refusing birth control per historical romance writers. By the way - that doesn't always work - if it did, my grand parents who practiced the rhythm method and the early with drawl wouldn't have had 12 kids.)

( Read more... )

The GH fandom is unloading the hate on a character that I happen to love and whose actions I kind of agree with. Their reactions have alienated a lot of fans of that character as a result. Along with people who agree with me. They are being self-righteous about it and remind me a little of Smart Bitches.

The character's irredeemable sin in their eyes? ( Read more... )

I took a page out of another poster's book, and decided to stop engaging with them on the topic. They were taking their aggression out on whomever disagree. Actually that's what I'm doing about everything at the moment - not engaging, unless I have to. I did learn something somewhere along the way...it's never wise to engage in a debate with someone who is upset on "moral" grounds or emotionally believe they have a morally superior perspective, and are absolutely right. Emotions don't work well in debate.
Also, when people get on their high horse or moral high ground, they can't be reasoned with. You might as well be punching jello for all the good it will do you.

Also, I've a pet peeve - self-righteous behavior irritates me. I don't like it in myself or others. Fear the person who thinks they have the moral high ground or the righteous person, they are capable of doing and saying horrible things in the name of their cause.