Well, if Howard Dean should travel through here, my offer to put him up stands.
I have been continuing with reading "The Left Hand of Darkness," and it is a dandy book--I read it so long ago that I had forgotten much of it, and that makes it all the more interesting. But it seems I have confused it in my mind with another story. The other one is, I believe, another in Urusula K. LeGuin's Hanish group (I purposely avoid the words "series" and "cycle"). It begins with the protagonist returning to her home world and being pleased or refreshed by the familiarity of the cold weather and the use of electric motors rather than internal combustion engines (first noted when she gets into a boat to ride ashore). Does that ring a bell with anyone here?
Listener, if memory serves, no internal combustion engines in Earthsea. That's more or less Medieval level tech. Besides, they have magic. No need for something so non-eco-friendly. Magic has so many advantages over technology. *grin*
I found my copy of UKL's short story anthology, "The Wind's Twelve Quarters," which includes the story "Winter's King." Maybe that's it, but I won't look until after I finish Left Hand of Darkness.
Funny today's photo would be the one about travel. I was supposed to travel to Montpelier today for a meeting, but will be unable to do so. Ah well. A day at home is not a bad idea, especially as I got a flu show about 2 hours ago. Waiting to see if mine is the no-big-deal reaction or the big one. Working in the Library, I've heard a lot of stories this year about how the flu shot is a lot worse because there are four strains in it instead of the usual three. I've also heard that it's harder on younger people because some of us old people have already encountered one of them.
Big news for Dean Bloggers! Kimmy Cash Fairbaugh has written an article on (in her words) The Bastardizing of Democracy, which has just been picked up by a national magazine. Haven't yet heard which one.
I was just thinking about how that "Thinking of Travel" photo popped up 2 days after I got back. My next trip is to Boston in mid-January. But that's pretty much planned. The next action will be booking my London hotel room for August (reservations open just after the first of the year).
One of my favorite pictures of me as a child, I was maybe two or three, standing at the edge of a puddle, hands clasped, look of utter longing. And across the edge of the photo, the long shadow of my mother with the camera. I did not raise either of those high top white shoes to stamp in that puddle, but oh my, how I wished to. . . .
To Friends: Last night my mother passed away. I am devastated. But also as you know I hate trying to raise $. I have to come up with $10,000 for funeral costs - if anyone can and wishes to assist even in small donations it would mean the world to me. I'll also post the info if anyone wants to send wishes. Thanks to all my many friends and supporters across the globe - you are all I have left.
Today a technophilic (but practical) coworker brought his new Google Nexus 5 to work, and we did a side-by-side comparison with an iPhone 4s. The Nexus is VERY NICE. He figures that buying the phone up front and using T-Mobile will cost him about half of what Verizon does; he says Verizon and AT&T are forcing smartphone users into family plans, which make no sense for a single person. My $9.95 Nokia TracPhone still does the job for me, but if I were in the market I would look very carefully at the Nexus 5. Camera and battery life issues are reported, but software fixes are anticipated. Almost spooky integration with Google services, of course.
All my kids love iPhones except one. He suspects that once everyone has smart phones we'll be in someone's control, and stops just short of calling it a plot.
Well, if Howard Dean should travel through here, my offer to put him up stands.
ReplyDeleteI have been continuing with reading "The Left Hand of Darkness," and it is a dandy book--I read it so long ago that I had forgotten much of it, and that makes it all the more interesting. But it seems I have confused it in my mind with another story. The other one is, I believe, another in Urusula K. LeGuin's Hanish group (I purposely avoid the words "series" and "cycle"). It begins with the protagonist returning to her home world and being pleased or refreshed by the familiarity of the cold weather and the use of electric motors rather than internal combustion engines (first noted when she gets into a boat to ride ashore). Does that ring a bell with anyone here?
--Alan
Is the elusive story part of the Hain group or part of the Earthsea group?
DeleteRocannon's World?
DeleteListener, if memory serves, no internal combustion engines in Earthsea. That's more or less Medieval level tech. Besides, they have magic. No need for something so non-eco-friendly. Magic has so many advantages over technology. *grin*
I found my copy of UKL's short story anthology, "The Wind's Twelve Quarters," which includes the story "Winter's King." Maybe that's it, but I won't look until after I finish Left Hand of Darkness.
Delete--Alan
Funny today's photo would be the one about travel. I was supposed to travel to Montpelier today for a meeting, but will be unable to do so. Ah well. A day at home is not a bad idea, especially as I got a flu show about 2 hours ago. Waiting to see if mine is the no-big-deal reaction or the big one. Working in the Library, I've heard a lot of stories this year about how the flu shot is a lot worse because there are four strains in it instead of the usual three. I've also heard that it's harder on younger people because some of us old people have already encountered one of them.
ReplyDeleteBig news for Dean Bloggers! Kimmy Cash Fairbaugh has written an article on (in her words) The Bastardizing of Democracy, which has just been picked up by a national magazine. Haven't yet heard which one.
ReplyDeleteWow! Go Kimmy!
DeleteDouble Woot!
Delete--Alan
Bill, sorry you had such a hard time getting home, but am very glad you made it safely. Thanks for the kind words on the haircut.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about how that "Thinking of Travel" photo popped up 2 days after I got back. My next trip is to Boston in mid-January. But that's pretty much planned. The next action will be booking my London hotel room for August (reservations open just after the first of the year).
DeleteThe Very Deep Puddle sounds intriguing. Listener, you need to give us a book report. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a children's picture book:
Deletehttps://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=vrovlho8pUMC&source=productsearch&utm_source=HA_Desktop_US&utm_medium=SEM&utm_campaign=PLA&pcampaignid=MKTAD0930BO1
One of my favorite pictures of me as a child, I was maybe two or three, standing at the edge of a puddle, hands clasped, look of utter longing. And across the edge of the photo, the long shadow of my mother with the camera. I did not raise either of those high top white shoes to stamp in that puddle, but oh my, how I wished to. . . .
DeleteAdorable!
DeleteUtterly gorgeous today--snow, bright skies, sparkles. Right at freezing. 6º tonight and 18º tomorrow, ick. Another in day. . . .
ReplyDeleteJust saw this from Charlie on FB:
ReplyDeleteTo Friends: Last night my mother passed away. I am devastated. But also as you know I hate trying to raise $. I have to come up with $10,000 for funeral costs - if anyone can and wishes to assist even in small donations it would mean the world to me. I'll also post the info if anyone wants to send wishes. Thanks to all my many friends and supporters across the globe - you are all I have left.
PayPal donations can be sent to cjgrapski(at)gmail.com. It will say Patricia Grapski, Charlie's mother's name.
DeleteI donno. Maybe it's officious for me to post this info here, but I thought folks, especially those not on FB, would want to know.
Today a technophilic (but practical) coworker brought his new Google Nexus 5 to work, and we did a side-by-side comparison with an iPhone 4s. The Nexus is VERY NICE. He figures that buying the phone up front and using T-Mobile will cost him about half of what Verizon does; he says Verizon and AT&T are forcing smartphone users into family plans, which make no sense for a single person. My $9.95 Nokia TracPhone still does the job for me, but if I were in the market I would look very carefully at the Nexus 5. Camera and battery life issues are reported, but software fixes are anticipated. Almost spooky integration with Google services, of course.
ReplyDeleteEnd of tech report...
--Alan (who is being lazy this evening)
Thanks for posting it, Cat. ♥
ReplyDeleteAll my kids love iPhones except one. He suspects that once everyone has smart phones we'll be in someone's control, and stops just short of calling it a plot.
ReplyDelete