What seems to be the hardest word?
My favorite comic strip!
I'm surfing around after I get home tonight. As an aside can I just say I love Bloglines. What? You aren't using Bloglines? Oh you should be. It will make your surfing more efficient I guarontee (that's Cajun for "really, really mean it".) Yeah it takes a little effort to get set up but once you do, you can tell in an instant who has a new post and who doesn't thereby saving you from clicking around aimlessly hoping to find new pearls of wisdom. I learned about it from Dawn and she's a smart chick.Thanks Dawn. But I digress.I was at Ole Blue the Heretic's site (a fellow Louisianan) and his post today talked about people who say I'm sorry and then just go on and do whatever it is they are sorry about. Now I say I'm sorry a lot. I know that gets on some peoples nerves sometimes. I think it's just that I'm so used to saying it to keep the peace that it comes as second nature. I am married after all. I don't think I say it and then do what I say I'm sorry for. Like "Sorry I am taking the last donut," as I scrape the last one out of the box.
I generally apologize when people tell me that things I do affect them negatively. If something I do, some way I act, makes someone uncomfortable, I don't like that. I like to get along with others. I'm not afraid to voice my opinion and I don't care if you disagree or get pissed off about that, but as far as friends go, I like to get along. I try and treat people with respect and dignity but still, sometimes I do or say things that offend, dismay, disappoint or make them feel uncomfortable. Sometimes I do things that they find abhorrent and really despicable. Now I'm not saying that what I'm doing is wrong in my eyes but we all have our own value systems and way of looking at things. We can agree to disagree and still be friends. (If you think I'm wrong about that, please tell me and tell me why.) My question for you is how do you tell someone you are sorry your actions have affected them negatively without saying "I'm sorry" or "I apologize?" Because I think that if you say it too much, it loses effectiveness and just sounds hollow. I know it bugs me to hear it coming out of my mouth sometimes. So what's a brother to do. Discuss and leave your opinion in the comments.
Internet, meet my book stack. Book stack meet the internet!
Next, I am a big reader. I have a BUNCH of books that I am in the middle of or waiting in queue for me to start. I am reading the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton, Paulo Cohelo's The Alchemist, Karen Slaughter's Blindsighted and Kisscut, Margaret Attwood's Bluebeards Egg and Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. I have Katherine Dunn's Geek Love and Italo Calvino's The Non-Existent Knight and the Cloven Viscount on order and on the way.I am still looking for suggestions. What turns your crank? I'm not afraid to read anything (any genre, title or author.) I just want to have a list lined up of other authors I may not be familiar with but that I may like. I have read The Red Tent by Anita Diamante and thought it was fabulous even though some may consider it a "chick" book. I am also looking for Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. With that in mind I leave the floor open to you. What keeps you up till 2 a.m. turning pages? This inquiring mind wants to know!
Goodnight all!
Comments
agreeing to disagree makes a world of difference. it's a valuable skill to have. and i have taught my kids from little on up....when yo uapologize yo uname the thing specifically for which you are apologizing, you look the person in the eye and you take measures to avoid the same bad choice again. the one being apologized to says either, apology accepted' or 'i forgive you.' then it is not brought up again. it's done and we move on. but we don't sweep it under the rug and we don't bear grudges.
as for books. i'm finally getting around to reading 'kite runner' at my hubby and oldest daughter's request. so far i am digging it. i just finished 'anonymous lawyer' by jeremy blachman which was quite a funny and enjoyable book.
Posted by: lime | November 7, 2006 10:56 PM
Your book pile looks like mine!
Funny Lime, but the next in my stack is "Kite Runner".
Posted by: Seamus | November 8, 2006 12:20 AM
OK who is "Kite Runner" by and thanks for turning me on to "The Alchemist" Seamus. What a great book.
T.
Posted by: Tommy | November 8, 2006 12:41 AM
I want you to know that after our conversation the other day, I was inspired to pick up a book. It's nothing too stimulating, a Stuart Woods book, but I'm reading something.
I don't think using the words "I'm sorry" or "I apologize" are bad if they are accompanied by other words that convey an understanding of the offense. Whether it's agreed upon or not. Of course, when donuts are concerned, it's each man for himself!
Posted by: Biscuit | November 8, 2006 5:50 AM
So you're a big "I'm sorry" kind of guy?
BTW, how do you have so much time to read that many books? Are you a speed reader?
Posted by: Pud | November 8, 2006 7:08 AM
OK I really think that of all my bloggy pals, you would like TC Boyle the best!
He is odd, and a terrific writer.....
Try some of his short stories like:
Greasy Lake and Other Stories
If The River Was Whiskey
The Decent of Man
then:
Water Music
Drop City
Budding Prospects
Riven Rock
The Inner Circle (about the Kinsey report and a film was made...)
The Road To Wellville (another film made from)
Tooth and Claw
A Friend of the Earth
The Tortilla Curtain (another good place to start)
East is East
Worlds End
I could go on...I think you will like this guy, a lot!
XXXXXX
Posted by: Susie | November 8, 2006 9:50 AM
Some of my favs?
The DaVinci Code - Dan Brown
Sellevision - Augusten Burroughs
Thank You For Smoking - Christopher Buckley
The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
and anything by David Sedaris, Stephen King, Dean Koontz or Chuck Pahluniak...
I read ALL the freakin time. :D
Posted by: Dawn (webmiztris) | November 8, 2006 10:47 AM
Big reader here too, I actually have a "reading review" blog. Unfortunately, my review writing doesn't really keep up with my actual reading pace, so it is mostly just a list of books I have read since this summer.
I actually picked up a few of the Lauren K. Hamilton books at the library but I can't find the series in order and if I can't read it in order then I don't want to read it...lol... I have issues I guess. Maybe you can tell me if it really matters much if I read them in order?
Lately, I have been very much into the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice. Mostly I read "chick" type books but some recent faves that might catch your fancy include James Patterson (anything in the Alex Cross series), Tim Dorsey (any book with the character "Serg Storms")Tim Dorsey's books are mysteries and very light but freaking hilarious! Also Gregory Maguire "Wicked" and "Son of a Witch" and actually anything by him...lol. And Dennis Lehane of "Mystic River" fame. My favorite by him (besides Mystic River) is "Shutter Island"
http://www.dennislehanebooks.com/books/shutterisland/
It's one of those books that you are all like... "Wow!" at the end of it.
Take care.
Posted by: Tracy | November 8, 2006 3:22 PM
Oooh, thats a good question. I've yet to figure that out, I live with family that constantly offends and I'm the person that ends up saying "I'm sorry" or trying to make amends. Well, except for this last week with me and my sister... I just told her off nicely and said I had nothing to say to her for a while. Instead of apologizing she acted like nothing happened and said 'If you ever want to talk you know how to find me." So I know we're ok and I just don't talk to her right now. I also know she won't ever change and realize what a dick she is. lol
As for you, I have a hard to time thinking you've been like her. BUT I guess you can prentend nothing happened and get squashed by the elephant. Or just say "Let the past stay right where it is. I hurt, you hurt, lets move on."
I've read a few of your books in the pile but my all time brain junk food is Dean Koontz. I could read him for bedtime stories and be as happy as ever. He's one of my favorite authors. Well so is James Rollins. There are too many people to list...lol
Posted by: Blondie | November 8, 2006 7:22 PM
That is quite the bookstack you have there honey!
Posted by: spitfire | November 8, 2006 9:11 PM
Hey sweetie!
Happy HNT!
~xo
Posted by: Lee Ann | November 8, 2006 10:15 PM