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 :)

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)

Posted yesterday(28/022012):  For those who have seen this status from this morning. I have been having to withdraw myself from so many things in the past 6 weeks due to my work hours in a similar way to having depression and that has been impacting on my status updates and maybe some of my comments as well. It's not easy to withdraw from a social life whem you know how badly you need one.

Posted yesterday(28/02/2012): I have been having to withdraw myself from so many things in the past 6 weeks due to my work hours in a similar way to having depression and that has been impacting on my status updates and maybe some of my comments as well. It's not easy to withdraw from a social life whem you know how badly you need one

Posted yesterday (28/02/2012):  am having trouble finding tine to do things like catching up with friends or dating. I feel like I am going backwards socially. Maybe I might to consider a job change.

Posted Mon 27/02/2012: Did I ever say that I wanted a prime minister with red hair, stupid accent, big nose and who comes across like being a female dog? Get rid of her already, can't the labor people can how hated she is or are they blind people who need guide dogs.

Posted Sunday 26/02/2012: Has anybody read a status update from me today?

Posted Feb 23 2012: only just surviving through everything and feel that nobody really cares due to the lack of contact with friends and family.

Posted Feb 23 2012: is missing a normal life, spending time with friends, being happy, having enough money to live on. Things were better before October 2009 when I was at **** Transit and now I am trying to get everything back to being similar as they were then, but can't do it on my own as I need real friends to stand by me and help in whatever way possible.

Posted Feb 21 2012: How many Australian people would like somebody else to be Prime Minister? I know that I would like somebody else other that annoying red head that we currently have to put up with.

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!

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

Book Bloggin' 19th Feb 2012

Finished:  Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds

LOVED this book. Can't wait for the next installment!!!!!

Started: Hiroshima Nagasaki by Paul Ham.

Just getting into it. A pretty hefty tome which is based on the authour's research into the events and subsequent results of the atomic bombings of both Hiroshima & Nagasaki at the end of WW2. Just reading the preceding information which includes some interesting insights into the life & times of Japanese during the later years of WW2 as well as well as brief history of the two cities and commentaries of the greater war and the events that lead to the bombings.

Rewind & Repeat

Doing the Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation challenge. It started Monday, which was a total blow out food wise & then I got back on track yesterday.
  Expected to do at least an hour of exercise a day 6 days a week. I just can't physically find the time! Even getting up an hour early pushes the limits of coping with the day. So I am going to be happy with at least half an hour & if I can manage more, I will do it! Obviously I won't lose as much weight as would otherwise be expected, but some is better then none or even worse, putting more on!!

Book Bloggin' 14th Feb 2012

Finished: Tomorrow! by Philip Wylie

Started: Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds

Actually finished this last week.. but been on holidays & a slight bit slack! Enjoyed Tomorrow! was a good read, even if it was slightly dated. I loved the way in which the survivors were taking an opportunity to reimagine & redesign the way they lived & worked. I think it is something which is very relevant today, but for different reasons.

Book Bloggin' 1st Feb 2012

Finished - Nocturnes by John Connolly
 Enjoyed this book. Some VERY creepy stories. 

Started - Tomorrow! by Philip Wylie
Good old apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic fiction!