Finished: After America by John Birmingham
I sort of rushed my way through this book as I was really keen to start reading the last installment in this trilogy. However, once again, the realism with which John Birmingham has portrayed the collapse of the world economy into the void which a "disappeared" America had fallen. He not only looks at the the bigger picture, but also the smaller issues associated with trying to salvage a world which has radically changed.
Started: Angels of Vengeance by John Birmingham
How will it end?? Will President Kipper be successful? Will Caitlin Monroe get her target? I am off to find out!
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Monday, 19 March 2012
Book Bloggin' 18th March 2012
Finished: Without Warning by John Birmingham
This book was as good the second time around, as it was the first! I find the premise very interesting & I think the way that things deteriorate, after "The Wave" engulfs the entire North American Continent, with the exception of a small section of Washington state, is probably spot on. Things will fall apart. Israel probably will turn the Middle East into a radioactive slag heap, if only to prevent themselves from being turned into one. And as for the mminority of radical muslims & other religions? Well I think how things are portrayed is how they will go down.. or at least in a very similar way. Sad, but true.. extremely scary too. A good what if of the likely results of what happens if the "World's Policeman" aren't around to enforce the Pax americana era..
Started: After America by John Birmingham
The second book, which follows on where the first left off.. another re-read.
This book was as good the second time around, as it was the first! I find the premise very interesting & I think the way that things deteriorate, after "The Wave" engulfs the entire North American Continent, with the exception of a small section of Washington state, is probably spot on. Things will fall apart. Israel probably will turn the Middle East into a radioactive slag heap, if only to prevent themselves from being turned into one. And as for the mminority of radical muslims & other religions? Well I think how things are portrayed is how they will go down.. or at least in a very similar way. Sad, but true.. extremely scary too. A good what if of the likely results of what happens if the "World's Policeman" aren't around to enforce the Pax americana era..
Started: After America by John Birmingham
The second book, which follows on where the first left off.. another re-read.
Friday, 9 March 2012
Book Bloggin' 8th March 2012
Finished: Life, Without the Boring Bits by Colleen McCullough
I loved this book. It was so nice to be able to get an insight into how one of my favorite author's formulates thoughts. The way that the essays were all written showed the flow of her thinking, random or otherwise. Rather then being a strict autobiography, it rather addresses different aspects of her own life, as well as wider considerations from religion, to the concept of time. Awesome!
Started: Without Warning by John Birmingham
Re-read, so I can read the new installment of this series. I classify this as post- apocalyptic simply because, to me, it is.
I loved this book. It was so nice to be able to get an insight into how one of my favorite author's formulates thoughts. The way that the essays were all written showed the flow of her thinking, random or otherwise. Rather then being a strict autobiography, it rather addresses different aspects of her own life, as well as wider considerations from religion, to the concept of time. Awesome!
Started: Without Warning by John Birmingham
Re-read, so I can read the new installment of this series. I classify this as post- apocalyptic simply because, to me, it is.
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Book Bloggin' 4th March 2012
Finished: Triumph by Philip Wylie
Such a stark contrast to his other book "Tomorrow!". This paints the worst possible picture of USSR deceit & essentially shows that they will go to any length to achieve a global communist government. Even if it means destorying the entire northern hemisphere & the vast majority of their own population. With the exception ofcourse of the "chosen few". I suppose that in the time that this book was written, this was a highly likely possibility. The Cold War was in full swing & no one really knew for sure what "the other side" possessed or what they were willing to do. Scary stuff. What's scarier is that today, it's muslim nations (well a small minority of, but thats all it takes) who feel the way the communists in this book do. The question is, are they crazy enough (read the lengths the communists went to in this book & crazy is the only word that fits!) to do the same to achieve their end of a muslim world?
Started: Life, without the boring bits by Colleen McCullough
Such a stark contrast to his other book "Tomorrow!". This paints the worst possible picture of USSR deceit & essentially shows that they will go to any length to achieve a global communist government. Even if it means destorying the entire northern hemisphere & the vast majority of their own population. With the exception ofcourse of the "chosen few". I suppose that in the time that this book was written, this was a highly likely possibility. The Cold War was in full swing & no one really knew for sure what "the other side" possessed or what they were willing to do. Scary stuff. What's scarier is that today, it's muslim nations (well a small minority of, but thats all it takes) who feel the way the communists in this book do. The question is, are they crazy enough (read the lengths the communists went to in this book & crazy is the only word that fits!) to do the same to achieve their end of a muslim world?
Started: Life, without the boring bits by Colleen McCullough
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Book Bloggin 29th Feb 2012
Finished: The Reversal by Michael Connelly
Love love love Michael Connelly. I love Bosch, he is such a left field character. Another great book!
Started: Triumph by Philip Wylie
Another post apocalyptic novel :)
Love love love Michael Connelly. I love Bosch, he is such a left field character. Another great book!
Started: Triumph by Philip Wylie
Another post apocalyptic novel :)
How can you be polite?
I have an aquaintance, I hesitate to say friend because, really, I would say he doesn't know me that well. I know him, but well, to be quite frank, he is too absorbed in his own percieved issues to worry about other people. Don't get me wrong, he feigns an interest, until he realises we have stopped talking about him, then he starts whinging again. Or posting comments in which he tries to inflame people thereby getting replies to his posts. When he doesn't he will repost until he gets a response..
Below are some examples of his FB posts (name removed for anonimity)
The reality is that I have now reached my tolerance level. I can't stand the whinging anymore. I can see he is not going to change, but how can I put to him in such a way that I get across my point without being to harsh? Clearly he does have deep underlying issues (especially with his father) but if he is unwilling or unable to address them, then I feel like I am wasting my time & now, getting frustrated to the point that I will say something rude &/or hurtful without intention.
What to do?
UPDATE[March 2013]: I am still "friends" with the guy. He is now engaged to a woman he only knew (at the time he proposed) for about 3 days. He still has massive financial issues & to make a great story even better, is now expecting a child with this woman. I am actually quite sad as I truly believe a child is a blessing. However, he has used it as an exucse to ramp up his requests for money (why they need to have an ultrasound every 2 weeks & on a private bill I dont know!) and asking who will help buy them what they need for the baby? Well umm, hmm.. if you can't even afford the basics of life for yourself, you don't go having unprotected sex with someone. I will be honest & say this woman totally rubs me the wrong way. She apparently is already kept awake by the baby ( and has pretty much said that since week one!) and so sleeps all day & stays up on the internet all night. Talking to her "ex" husband who I might add she is not even divorced from. Oh & get a job to help contribute you say? No she can't as she is "not cut out for work". Whats she gonna do when the baby comes along & she HAS to work? Because a child is surely the hardest job of all!!!!
Sorry to have a rant on here, but this man-child and his woman are surely a sign of all that is wrong with the world. The world owes you nothing & what you get from it, you will have to earn! I am rant on here because its stops me needing to metaphorically bitch slap stupid people like these two!
Below are some examples of his FB posts (name removed for anonimity)
Now obviously this is only a snapshot. There are ALOT more over the past 5 years. I have tried offering support (non-financial) and advice. He is simply NOT interested in actually changing things. I get the impression that he enjoys being the whinger, because it attracts attention. this has become especially obvious in some of his replies to not only me, but other people. It is the same thing spouted over & over with no change.
The reality is that I have now reached my tolerance level. I can't stand the whinging anymore. I can see he is not going to change, but how can I put to him in such a way that I get across my point without being to harsh? Clearly he does have deep underlying issues (especially with his father) but if he is unwilling or unable to address them, then I feel like I am wasting my time & now, getting frustrated to the point that I will say something rude &/or hurtful without intention.
What to do?
UPDATE[March 2013]: I am still "friends" with the guy. He is now engaged to a woman he only knew (at the time he proposed) for about 3 days. He still has massive financial issues & to make a great story even better, is now expecting a child with this woman. I am actually quite sad as I truly believe a child is a blessing. However, he has used it as an exucse to ramp up his requests for money (why they need to have an ultrasound every 2 weeks & on a private bill I dont know!) and asking who will help buy them what they need for the baby? Well umm, hmm.. if you can't even afford the basics of life for yourself, you don't go having unprotected sex with someone. I will be honest & say this woman totally rubs me the wrong way. She apparently is already kept awake by the baby ( and has pretty much said that since week one!) and so sleeps all day & stays up on the internet all night. Talking to her "ex" husband who I might add she is not even divorced from. Oh & get a job to help contribute you say? No she can't as she is "not cut out for work". Whats she gonna do when the baby comes along & she HAS to work? Because a child is surely the hardest job of all!!!!
Sorry to have a rant on here, but this man-child and his woman are surely a sign of all that is wrong with the world. The world owes you nothing & what you get from it, you will have to earn! I am rant on here because its stops me needing to metaphorically bitch slap stupid people like these two!
Monday, 27 February 2012
Book Bloggin 27th Feb 2012
Finished: Hiroshima Nagasaki by Paul Ham
Enjoyed this book. It was well written & very well researched. I think it gave an even account from both sides of the war - allies & axis, in terms of events or non events that led not only to the bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, but what in the end was the final bell tolling which caused the surrender of Japan. As someone who has been interested in this specific point in history for neary 2 decades, I found this account eye opening & it did have me questioning what we have been and even to this day are fed by the press. Highly recommend this to history buffs. 5 stars!
Started: The Reversal by Michael Connelly
Enjoyed this book. It was well written & very well researched. I think it gave an even account from both sides of the war - allies & axis, in terms of events or non events that led not only to the bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, but what in the end was the final bell tolling which caused the surrender of Japan. As someone who has been interested in this specific point in history for neary 2 decades, I found this account eye opening & it did have me questioning what we have been and even to this day are fed by the press. Highly recommend this to history buffs. 5 stars!
Started: The Reversal by Michael Connelly
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