Amazon Haul: October 2013

I went on Amazon early last week and ordered a few items. Surprisingly, I got them earlier than expected.

Geography Club. This book was written by a columnist from (what is currently called) thebacklot.com (formerly afterelton.com) which is a pop culture site geared towards gay/bi men. It is being made into a film and me being me, I want to read the book first. There is a trailer floating around the web somewhere (by which I mean YouTube). I may or may not have posted said trailer on this blog. If not, I'll get around to it. It isn't a long book. I just started it today (Tuesday) and as of right now I'm about a quarter of the way through it. So far, pretty good and not really what I expected. I have three days off in a row (today was the first) and I should easily be able to get through this book given its length and my lack of stuff to get done (the laundry is already done, thank God).

Star Trek: Into Darkness. This film came out just this past Summer. It was epic. If you are anything like me, you will feel ALL of the feels. Yeah, I cried, but I'm a sap like that. But also, who knew the guy that played Eomer could be funny (Eomer wasn't funny)?

Soapdish. This film is in my top 5. I watched it first when I was really young. I haven't seen it in years and every time in the last couple of years whenever I got stuff from Amazon, they were out of stock (because of the film's age, I can't just go into a place that sells films and find it there). This time, the stars aligned. If you have not seen it, you really should. It's a parody on soap operas and it has a stellar cast. Did I mention it's over the top and hilarious? It's over the top and hilarious, especially the twist at the end.

Slogging Through the Pages

James Madison

A while back (late 2012) I mentioned getting a bunch of stuff from Amazon.com including "The Federalist Papers." For those who don't know, these were papers written by three of the founders of America (John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison) which tried to convince Americans to support the ratification of the United States Constitution by enumerating the reasons why it would be better for the states to all stay together instead of splintering off into either all separate entities or into a handful of confederacies. I've been wanting to read this for a very long time and I finally started reading it maybe a month ago. It isn't particularly long. There are 85 papers spanning 256 pages, and none of the papers are particularly long (the longest was maybe six pages thus far). Unfortunately, me be the slow reading, easily distracted person that I am, I haven't gotten very far. I've been reading for a few weeks but I'm only on number fourteen, page 36.

Don't get me wrong, it is a good read. The language soars a bit at times, but it's manageable (unlike "Common Sense" which was a bit out of my league linguistically speaking). It also mentions things that we don't often think about in terms of how the country we know has prospered over the last 237 years. It also makes you wonder about what may have happened if some people had gotten their wish and the Constitution had not been ratified, causing the States to separate into multiple entities.

Another reason I'm going rather slowly is a bit more practical. As I'm reading, I'm also highlighting the particularly important passages pretty much the same way I did back in my school days. I'm not just reading this to read it, I'm also trying to understand what is being said as I go along.

I'm setting the goal of finishing this book in the next two weeks, starting when I click "Publish" on this blog post.

Note to self: spend less time on social media and more time doing stuff that actually matters.

Dreams of Steel

If you've been reading this blog over the last year or so, you know I'm a huge fan of "A Song of Ice & Fire" (a.k.a. A Game of Thrones). I'm currently watching the third season and rereading the third book, "A Storm of Swords." I have also watched lots of clips on YouTube and watched some episodes on DVD. It's such a great story. However, a problem has arisen over the last few weeks. The story is starting to mess with my dreams.

Last week, I had a dream where I was literally fighting for my life. I was on the verge of being killed by two men. I was screaming for help but no one came. I was defending myself by any means which I could...which was not much. When I finally awoke in the middle of the night, I was drenched in sweat, heaving for oxygen. You can probably guess that I didn't get back to sleep, meaning I got less than four hours that night.

The following night I had another dream yet not nearly as bad, though it was not nearly as bad. In this dream, instead of fighting for my own life, I had just heard about a family members death and was deeply in mourning. I awoke in the middle of the night again, yet not with the start of the previous night. I didn't even bother trying to get back to sleep this time, so I had a rough 48 hours (at least).

I had another such dream last night, but this one escapes my memory. I do remember, however, that it was unpleasant.

I'm almost at the end of the book and there are four more episodes left this season. As good as the story is, I need a break. It's taking too much of a toll on my sleep cycle, which is negatively effecting how productive I am during the day.

Guess What I Bought?

I decided to reread the first book, then I decided to buy the DVD this past Thursday. I'm waiting until I've finished rereading before I watch Season 1. I have less than 100 pages to go (it's 810 pages total and I started reading less than two weeks ago, this is the fastest I've read anything EVER...120 pages in 1 day).

"Words Are Wind"

At some point since I last wrote about books, I finished A Feast For Crows and I'm currently a third of the way through A Dance With Dragons (volumes 4 and 5 of A Song of Ice & Fire respectively). These books are a bit different than the first three volumes of the series. First, as the first three volumes were linear from one to the next, four and five take place at the same time, both picking up where volume three ended. Each book follows a different set of characters (but they come back together towards the end of book 5). According to the author, it was supposed to be one book but it got so long that he had to break it up. Second, there are a lot of new characters being followed and new places we see. Those differences took a little getting used to, especially since I didn't see maps of some of the places until I bought book five.

All of that said, I'm still enjoying the series a lot. Lots of twists and turns, unexpected people popping up. Some people we thought were dead end up alive. New deceptions, new plans. Great drama. If the show lasts long enough to get to this point (and I hope it does, I have no idea how they will address the timeline issue.

This was a quick post as I just took a little reading break. Now, back to my book.

P.S. When I bought A Dance With Dragons a few weeks ago, I also bought a book that had a compilation of Thomas Paine's works including Rights of Man and Common Sense. If you've never heard of Common Sense, it was an instrumental document that helped to drive colonial public opinion towards independence in the 1770's. It SHOULD be required reading in American schools.

End of March Review

March is almost over so let's have a little catch-up session.

I don't really care about March Madness or basketball in general, but No. 2 Duke losing to a  No. 15 Lehigh (or whatever it's called) was the best thing ever. Suck it Dookies :P

The fitness thing has been up and down. On the down side, I have had a few dietary setbacks. I think the Lent concessions that I made compensated for that for the most part. I'm going to retool my eating habits. More fish/poultry, less carbs. I'm so close to seeing an actual 6-pack. I know, totally vain. On the up side, exercising has been going very well and I've taken a lot of steps forward. Last week I almost ran a total of 20 miles, including a day where a ran a total of 6 miles (3 in the morning, 3 in the afternoon). This past week (as of right now), my running tally is at 22.5 miles, including 2 days when I ran 6 miles each. This is partially a function of my work schedule, otherwise I just wouldn't have the time/energy combination to do this. I think there will be a commemorative 5K here in town (for 4/16/07) that I'll try to do. I was going to last year, but the weather didn't cooperate.

We're in the home-stretch of Lent. One more week, and then I'm pigging out (relatively) guilt-free. That's part of why this week, I'm trying to eat even better and get all that exercise: to make up for what will be taking place on Easter Sunday. Everything I've denied myself for the prior 40 days is going to be shoveled down my gullet and it will be GLORIOUS!!!

Early in the month, I made the goal of finishing A Feast for Crows (volume 4 of A Song of Ice & Fire) by months end. I'm in the home stretch, even though earlier in the week (i.e. Tuesday) I though I would miss this goal. I haven't made up my mind when I'll start reading volume 5, A Dance With Dragons. I really need to start reading some other types of books, primarily political ones. It is, after all an election year and I am, after all, a political nerd. Too many books, too little time.

As for my other blog, things are going pretty well. I don't remember off-hand whether it was this month or February that I started a Facebook page for it. There still aren't too many fans on it as yet, but I'm working on it. I'm still getting better at promoting it. Yesterday, I hit the 4,000 pageview (for the month) mark which was pretty surprising. I'm still working on the original content thing. I have a bunch of half-written pieces that need to be completed. I really need to get better at time management and focus. I'm also getting some positive feedback from readers which is awesome. I wish I was getting more posts on the comments, but at least I'm not getting negative comments (silver lining I suppose).

Well, I guess that's it until next time folks.

Goals (Addendum)

I forgot to mention something fairly major that I want to do this year: more reading of political/history books. Almost all of this 2011's reading was fiction (2.5 volumes from "A Song of Ice & Fire," as well as "The Hobbit" and "The Return of the King," etc.). I did manage to read "The Art of War" and part of "The Republic" which I'm happy about, but those were the only real world type books that I read this year. I don't have any specific books, but generally, this is what I have in mind:

President Theodore Roosevelt

-the Teddy Roosevelt administration (he was known as a trust-buster, which is what I wish we had right now)

-books about the nation's founding

-books about the Constitution

-something written by Doris Kearns Goodwin, a presidential historian (specifically "A Team of Rivals" which is about Lincoln...a film is supposedly being made from it also)

I need to give this a bit more thought before heading to a bookstore. Yes I know this makes me a huge dork, but that's a badge of honour as far as I'm concerned. Also, remember that I majored in political science so this stuff is my bread and butter. Also, since some of the goals I mentioned involved starting my career and working in politics, it certainly helps to have as much knowledge of this stuff as possible, especially in an election year. I used to know a lot more than I do now. Time to get some of those smarts back.

I hope what ever goals you have this year, you accomplish them as well.

"The night is dark & full of terrors."

I finished "A Clash of Kings" this past week and it was pretty amazing. I still won't spoil what happens. All I will say is that there was a particular incident that had me angry to the point that, for the second time in reading the series, I HAD to put the book down. That's how outraged I was. By the time I got to the end, that incident made more sense and I was much happier. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is one of those books where you think it's about to zig but it zags instead.

Now, onto volume three: "A Storm of Swords." I've also already bought volume four, "A Feast of Crows." My Winter reading has already been planned out. I love books.

"A mind needs books like a sword needs a whet stone."

-Tyrion of House Lannister

The Plot Thickens

I'm still reading "A Clash of Kings." I'm going a lot more slowly than I did with "A Game of Thrones," but that's mainly because life (read: work) is getting in the way. It's such a great book. The one thing is that so far through these two books, when I get to liking a given character, their chances of dying seem to go up to about 50%. Another character for whom I was starting to cheer just bit the dust. I think I need to start liking different characters so that maybe they'll die sooner instead. I was trying to finish this book in a month like I did the last...except it's 160 pages longer so that, plus work, means that probably won't happen (even though this month has an  extra day). I've had the past two days off and covered over 100 pages, but I'm still about six days off-pace.

I love how these books have so much going on. Whenever I do pick the book up, it's pretty hard to put down. Just like I recommended "A Game of Thrones," I recommend "A Clash of Kings." Especially given that the second season of the show will be coming up in a few months. I generally recommend reading a book before seeing the film (or in this case the show). The books are usually better and have more epth, though I have heard that the show based on these books are very close (and from what I have seen thus far, I would have to agree).

Weekend Update: October 3, 2011

I slept in today for the first time in several months. That should let you know how tired I was.

From Friday through Sunday, I was at work for over 26 hours (half of that was Saturday alone) and slept less than 10. I only got four hours of sleep Saturday night before getting up at 7 and not leaving until 3:30. That's a work load I am very unaccustomed to. To top that off, Virginia Tech suffered it's first defeat of the season, and it was a crushing defeat (23-3) to Clemson. Not even a single damn touchdown. Also, it was a home game. What. A. Shit-show. This was the first game this season that I didn't see any part of, and thank God I didn't.

Linebacker Desmond Bishop & Head Coach Mike McCarthy

On the bright side, Green Bay improved to 4-0 after beating the Broncos. A close(ish) first half was followed by a route in the second with a final score of 49-23. It was such a beat down that we ended up taking Aaron Rodgers out of the game and putting in backup quarterback Matt Flynn. Rodgers did throw his second pick of the season, but nobody's perfect I guess.

It was also a pretty cold weekend. Autumn is definitely making it's presence known. There has been an almost constant breeze, the leaves are starting to change and I actually had to turn on the heat.

I forgot to mention a while back that I finished "A Game of Thrones" and did so two days ahead of schedule (after having fallen behind almost a week behind schedule). It is an awesome book and as I have said before, I highly recommend it. Last Monday I went to Barnes & Noble and picked up the second book in the series "A Clash of Kings." It's looking to also be a great read. Given how busy I've been over the past few days I haven't really had the time or energy to just sit and read, but the next few days should be far more lax. Books like this are why literacy is such a great thing.

That's pretty much everything worth mentioning.

"You win, or you die."

I have been reading "A Game of Thrones" since the beginning of this month. I'm well over halfway through this book. Holy crap, it's amazing. I like getting books that I'll read over and over again (to me, that's the mark of a good book). I was a little afraid when I bought this that it wouldn't live up to that standard, but it is and then some.

This book is in large part about political games and back-stabbing, shifting alliance and allegiances, family ties, the quest for power, and the cost of power. So far as I have read, it isn't really heavy on the "standard" heavily fantasy stuff like magic and such. Someone who recommended this book to me said if I liked "The Lord of the Rings" then I would like this book. While I do love LotR, I don't see a lot of similarities between the two.

Also, this is no children's tale. There is foul language, sex, murder, and so on. This is definitely fantasy for adults.

I won't give away any spoilers, but where I have read in the past few days, characters are dropping like flies. Also, there was a jaw-dropping revelation about halfway through the book I did not see coming at all. I was amazed...and disgusted. My last status update on FaceBook pretty much sums up my reading to this point:

Characters are dropping like flies, I hate Sansa & Cersei, poor Bran, poor Jon, Tyrion is a tricky little bastard (pun intended), Arya is a girl after my own heart, would someone PLEASE kill Joffrey (pompous ass), and (as I said earlier) EWWW!!!

I think that about covers what I have read so far.

I'm not sure if I have written this elsewhere, but my plan is to have this book finished by month's end. I'm ahead of schedule right now by about a day (after being almost a week behind earlier this month, I've clawed my way back). A couple of girls I went to grade school with have read the book and/or seen the show and we've been talking about it regularly.

I definitely recommend this book (it's the first part of a series by the way).

Off Of the Reading List

Recently I finished reading "The Hobbit." This was my second attempt at reading this story. I tried reading it once before and I felt it was too childish and got maybe half way through before putting it down. That was some years ago. After having actually finished it, I have no idea what I was thinking. It was a great story, even if it ended a bit on the sad side (not the very end, but I won't give that away). I like how it sets up things for "The Lord of the Rings." I definitely suggest giving it a read.

Today I picked up "A Game of Thrones." I haven't seen the show (I don't get whatever channel it's on). I will sooner or later, but since I have the opportunity to read it first, and upon multiple recommendations, I decided to go this route. I'm actually reading part 5 of LotR (which is the first half of Return of the King) right now but as soon as that done, I'll be hitting up the new book.

I'll never understand why some people don't like reading.