A tiny little book update to start your weekend

I just went to my own blog page and saw that it still says I'm reading Heart Shaped Box, which by the way I finished what feels like ages ago. Yet instead of going to the layout or settings or whatever back end section of this thing I go to to update these things I decided to write a blog post about it. Hmmm. Not the most efficient use of time, but too late now.

So I've finished Heart Shaped Box so long ago I don't think I can give an accurate review. I do remember liking it, good little horror story with an interesting premise. Guy obsessed with death orders a suit online and a ghost comes along with it. The tale that spins out of it is intriguing, enough to make me read it pretty quick if I remember right.

Since then I've knocked back a bunch of others but since sadly I haven't been keeping track here on this blog so I can't really remember what. I know I did read Enrique's Journey which was fantastic and I think everyone should go out and get it now. In fact I think it should be required reading in high school as well. Who really needs more Brave New World anyway?

I also knocked back a bunch of comic books on a recent bus trip to Madtown. Including Marvel 1602 and the third volume of Buffy.

Right now I'm reading World War Z. And I'm freaking loving it! I've seen it around a bunch on the train and in coffee shops and finally broke down and bought my own copy a few weeks ago (only to realize later that boyfriend owns it and I could of totally borrowed his, ah well I've now done my part to help keep bookstores open). If you haven't had a chance to read it yet I highly recommend it. Just now googling it to get a link I saw an IMDB link that says it's being made into a movie! That should be interesting.

So that's what I've got for today. It's a gorgeous day in the windy city and I hope wherever you are you get a chance to get outside and enjoy. My final thought for the day (totally unrelated to books) is a line from a blog post from a friend because some day I also hope to be "a woman so magnetic she fucks up compasses"
Cheers world.



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A few great ways to give back

I am swamped at work and in life lately and I apologize for my disappearing act. I did however want to jump on real quick and share a bunch of great opportunities to take part in some pretty kick ass fundraising/events all over the country.

First up my dear friend Tim is having his annual fundraiser dinner for GSA for Safe Schools. Located in Madison, WI (yay home!), GSA works tirelessly to help create a safe education environment for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression all throughout the state. I can testify to the many, many road trips Tim has taken to connect with students and staff all over to help make sure no district is left without help. If you're in the area consider buying a ticket (they had a great silent auction the year I went), if you're not going to be around Wisconsin then just consider making a contribution. They do good work.

Next is for my friend Matt who is participating in the Race for Hope in Washington DC. It's a 5K run to benefit both the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. Matt's goal looks to be $200 - there is no way we can't knock that out of the park!

Steve here in Chicago is participating in the MS Walk. His goal is $500 and being already half way there I know he can do it. The walk is May 3rd (same as Matt's run, what a busy day!), so hurry up and go check out his page!

And last but not least, I have to put my own shout out in. I'm selling raffle tickets for one of the most kick ass raffle's I've seen - probably 10 prize packages each valued at over $1,000 each usually! Tickets can be bought here. Just make to sure to say I told you about the raffle in the comments section so I can claim credit in our staff competition :)

So whatever you're interested in, and whatever you can afford I hope you will be able to support at least one of these extremely worthy causes. Okay, back to work (so that the raffle here actually happens!)

Calling all readers smarter than me

So I have an idea. And I'm going to need help with this idea. Someone out there who reads this must have the knowledge that I don't so I'm putting it out there to see what you guys come up with. Here it goes.

I want to make a video or more appropriately a flash animation segment. Now since I know nothing about this I am probably going to use all the wrong words but follow me if you can. The vision I have of the end product would be a short video/flash product with voice over narration. The graphics would consist of stick figure drawings flipping quickly to show movement, kind of like those old flip book comics. Make sense?

So what I need is A) someone to help draw the pictures. B) someone who knows how to then put them together in this animated sequence. C) someone who knows how to then get this baby online. and D) someone who can help me get the audio narration.

Any ideas?

XKCD does it again

Damn, first I had the actual pic but my blog writing window isn't wide enough. So please check out link here XKCD.

A new way to see the world

Reading this guy's twitter I came across this link. What's going on in the economy in our country and our world is something that everyone is experiencing but we are still having a damn hard time processing it. Or maybe that's just me. These pictures bring it home in a whole new way for me and if you're a visual learner they might help you as well.

I think the most startling for my own ignorance was that up until now I have been thinking of the crashing economy in a strictly United States sense. Picture #5 of the job seekers in China now out of work because exports are down because we aren't buying anymore hit home like a bullet to the brain. I am amazed at my own exclusivity, I've never been patriotic before so I'm not sure why I all of a sudden started to think of this problem in such a small mindset.

I'm not sure if this makes it better or not. Opening my mind is always a good thing but I must be careful so that I not drown in the reality. When it comes down to it though I'm pretty damn lucky. My job (as far as forecasts can see) isn't going anywhere.

So if you want another look (or just a different way to look) check out the pictures.

And for another take check out Notes from the Unemployment Line brought to you by The Stranger (a Seattle based newspaper), really brought to you by impending unemployment who gave me the link in the first place. The article is all about the numbers and it's fascinating.

Sometimes I am quiet

I can talk a lot. I can fill up a room with stories and anecdotes. I can chat for hours on topics that range far and wide, sometimes knowledgeably, sometimes not. But there are also times when I am quiet.

Sometimes it is because I am sick, and I am using all the energy and resources I have simply to function which leaves nothing left over for witty banter or engaged facial reactions. More often than not I am simply choosing observation over participation. I am watching the world around me, I am watching you interact. Like an alien studying human behavior in order to learn how to assimilate. Like a basketball player studying plays. I am learning, I am watching.

I am also most likely not angry with you. Trust me, you will know when my quiet means anger. I will use my words sparingly and wield them like a professional ninja with throwing stars. I will whip them at you so fast and deadly that you won't even know I have severed a limb until I am long gone and the bleeding can't be stopped. This is a gift my father has given me. The way that I fight, and I try not to use it very often as I get older. The worst part is the gift works best with those I love and know.

Often the room does not even notice my quiet. You are so loud around me that my silence does not register. I prefer when this happens. Then the probing questions of my health and thoughts are left unasked. It's easier this way since I won't answer them anyway.

I enjoy quiet. I enjoy my solitude. It does not mean that I am not having a good time. It does not mean that I want the world to go away. It is the same way I love to sit on the edge of a game, watching but not playing. I don't expect you to understand, and I can not explain it any better than this. All I ask is that you please not try and take it away.

Pondering Magnetic Forces

If I had time I would like to do a sociological study on the invisible magnetic forces at work when more than one person enter a small space, such as in an elevator. I think it would be fascinating. And if nothing else would make a great short story.