The Dispossessed
Odd Interlude #2I really liked the first part of this 3 part novella. My library hold for ebook version of part 2 just came available today.
A Scanner Darkly
The Mote in God’s Eye
It Happened in Colorado
The Mongoliad: Book One
Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks
View book info on GoodReads
My Rating: 
4 out of 5 stars
First Published: 1990
Read from: November 14 to December 16, 2012
“Use of Weapons” is the first book I’ve read by Iain Banks. I had heard the science fiction novel was one of the author’s best, and that it is an independent story taking place in a series of books about a futuristic society called the “Culture” that explores a super advanced society of humans and their AI creations that have spread across the galaxy. That certainly sounded like a book I ought to give a read.
My impression on the first half or so of the novel was that it was okay, but not great. The story had all the right trappings to at least be a fun sci-fi novel if not a ground-breaking or amazing one. There’s the tactical and strategic hero type, some hi-tech gadgets, even some comedic relief in the form of a smart-mouthed sentient robot. There is occasionally some thought-provoking and middle of the pool “deep” stuff going on too in regards to war and violence (either physical or psychological), and some exploration of humanity’s ability to “use” anything, including other people, as tools or “weapons” to achieve our victories, whatever they may be. But much like the citizens of the Culture, I just wasn’t being engaged enough and found myself wanting something else. Continue reading Review: Use of Weapons
“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.” – George Washington (U.S. General & President 1732-1799)
The Mote in God’s Eye by Larry Niven & Jerry PournelleAbout half done with rereading this book (for the 20th or so time). This is absolutely one of my all time favorite sci-fi novels. Has I think the most believable, unique, well thought out, and, well, truely “alien” alien race of any sci-fi story I have ever read. I must add that I love most of Larry Niven & Jerry Pornelle’s work, individually or combined. I think I probably own most of Niven’s work.
Use of Weapons – Iaian M. BanksHeard good things about this author’s “Culture” series and this book in particular. Saw it was available to check out from the local library for the Kindle so I put it on hold a while back. Just came available yesterday, so I downloaded it tonight and will give it a try and see what I think. Hopefully it’s pretty good as I could always go for a new source of good sci-fi.
I wish I had something profound to post on this event, but I guess I’m kind of exhausted at the moment. It all seems like just another errand I had to run and discussing it is just another thing I ought to do. I know it is much more than that and that I should write something at least; but my heart and mind don’t want to dwell on it.
What am I talking about? After work today I went by the vet’s office to pick up my dog, Buddy’s ashes.
I kind of knew what to expect and knew it would bother me. However, the thing that’s depressing me at this point isn’t so much that Buddy’s gone, but the almost everyday banality of it. Here’s the remains of my best friend and companion for 15 years and they fit in a tin box that looks like something you might get some nice holiday chocolates in or something. And I feel kind of creepy having him cremated in the first place, let alone discussing it. Continue reading Ashes and Memories
Reading The Mote in God’s Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle for probably the 30th time. I love this book. Here’s a couple of quotes that sound VERY familiar… Sounds like every politician that is or has been in office in America for the past 10 years or more…
“When a city has grown so overlarge and crowded that it is in immediate danger of collapse . . . when food and clean water flow into the city at a rate just sufficient to feed every mouth, and every hand must work constantly to keep it that way . . . when all transportation is involved in moving vital supplies, and none is left over to move people out of the city should the need arise . . . then it is that Crazy Eddie leads the movers of garbage out on strike for better working conditions.” There was considerable laughter in the wardroom. Renner’s image grinned and said, “I think I know the gentleman. …” — pg. 226, Chap. 24, The Mote in God’s Eye
“And mine spoke of Crazy Eddie as an engineer always using tomorrow’s capital to fix today’s problems,” Sinclair blurted. — pg. 227, Chap. 24, The Mote in God’s Eye
Well I decided to swear off Facebook. It’s been a long time coming. No specific event or thing that made me finally decide to do it now, but in general I got so sick of everyone’s political, religious, sport team related, or otherwise just plain annoying posts that instead of removing everyone from my friends list I decided to just remove myself.
It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but earlier I stopped using this personal blog site because no one visited it. Now I have decided to start using this site again specifically for that reason. Yes, I’ll be posting to a vacuum, as no one will see it unless they specifically come here or subscribe to the feed. I don’t actually expect anyone to do that, but if anyone does they must really want to follow my stupidity and they are welcome to it. Besides the rare bit of “social” posting I’ll put on this site, I plan on using Google+ a bit more. The number of people in my circles is a lot smaller there, the site is used less, and it’s a little easier to control it so I don’t get a lot of garbage I don’t want to see.
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.Love your life,
perfect your life,
beautify all things in your life.Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people and grovel to none.When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die,
be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death,
so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”
Chief Tecumseh 1768-1830
“I’m always angry. It’s my raison d’etre. Ask anybody. Grumble, grumble.” Artie, Warehouse 13.
Kind of happy this evening for two reasons.
First, I hit another landmark on my goal to lose the gut and get to a healthy weight again. I’ve been using the website www.MyFItnessPal.com and their free Android App to watch what I eat and have committed myself to regular exercise (currently 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week). I have been using the site, and keeping within these food and fitness goals now for 18 days, (just under 3 weeks,) and have just crossed the 10 pound point, having last 11 pounds as of today’s weigh-in. A dynamic “ticker” showing my current weight loss and progress towards my goal should appear below.
Created by MyFitnessPal – Free Calorie Counter
Second, I got my new dedicated hiking backpack from Amazon today. It is a Osprey Kestrel 32. Awesome pack. I also got a Osprey 2 liter hydration reservoir, so now I won’t have to take my pack off all the time to get a drink. I’m hoping to try it out for the first time tomorrow. Got to get it all loaded up and ready to go tonight.
I have a number of photo / hiking sessions to report that I need to process and get archived & uploaded. Hopefully will be posting those soon, but for now I would rather go hike (and lose some more weight). So until then…
