The idea of a post-apocalyptic world has been rampant the last few years. Zombies? Check. Being put into an arena to kill others your age? Check. The apocalypse is fashionable these days. Enter Gray: Part I by Loud Cadle. The first of a trilogy, this book has what others lack: reality.
Details below (spoiler alert, of course).
Continue reading Chewing Up “Gray Part I” by Lou Cadle
So I had a bright idea. It really illuminated my way of thinking, and and helped to bring me out of the dark. After all, it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Today, dear friends, we honor… the light bulb! On this day in 1879, our beloved Mr. Thomas A. Edison accomplished a miracle that I use every night to read by.
The light bulb is one of those inventions that we all take for granted. Without it, however, life around the world would be vastly different. Can you imagine trying to read by candle light? Or imagine life without movies, or televisions? What about the simplicity of the alarm clock? Without Mr. Edison’s invention, we would still be in the Dark Ages. (Tired of the cliche’s yet?)
In seriousness, Mr. Edison gave us many gifts, and many insights (come back for tomorrow’s quote of the for an example.). Today, I honor the man who lets me read myself to sleep at night. Mr Edison, I thank you for your contribution to worldwide advancements, and for all of the inventions that came after based on your simple idea.
Every once in a while, I read an article that I feel the overwhelming urge to share with the world. This morning, thanks to a friend, I found one.
I urge you all to read the following:
A 13-Year-Old’s Slavery Analogy Raises Some Uncomfortable Truths in School
I do not know this girl, but I am proud of her and hope that we can continue to raise such intelligent children. The insight described in this article is profound, and exhibits high levels comprehension and critical thinking; many adults I know are incapable of this.
The fact of the matter is that, while there are many fantastic teachers, in some ways we are still living in a bygone age. The fact that this child would be forced to withdraw from school because she wanted to learn is horrendous and beyond comprehension.
I would love to know what the school’s logic behind this was. I’m sure the official answer from the school is that this was not an official action – however when officials act, the actions become official. Like it or not, the educational staff at an educational facility cannot be considered unofficial by anyone’s definition.
Please read this – in light of all we have been through we cannot allow a few misguided people return us to the stone age. After all, do you want your children being taught the same message as this girl?
Friday night, with malicious intent, I drove down the highway.
Friday night, with malicious intent, I made a couple of pit stops along the way.
Friday night, with malicious intent, I cracked open a new book.
Tis a harrowing tale that brings us here. A tale of such frightening aspects like counting, and buying, and staying in on a Friday eve! Proceed with caution, if you dare to proceed at all.
After waking on Friday morn, I felt the urge to… correction… I felt strongly compelled (!) to count – yes COUNT – the number of books on my bookshelves. The tally: 303. But oh frightening part, the truly truly truly knee-shaking hair-raising turning-you-into-a-quivering-mass scary part is that I realized I needed more. More!
With malicious intent I counted and knew the number 303 was vastly too small. With malicious intent, I vowed to increase this number.
And so, with no compunction for those around me or for myself, on my way home that evening, I stopped at Half-Priced Books. I had the singular goal, the goal of filling in a gap in my collection. I needed Terry Pratchett‘s Small Gods. (You may have noticed the plethora of Pratchett quotes lately – this has been the result of this growing uncontrollable urge to re-read this very book.)
Alas, Half-Priced Books failed me on this occasion. They had precious few of Pratchett’s books, and Small Gods was not one of them. So I had to settle with the following:
Having been disappointed in my quest, I pressed on. Next on my barrage of book buying: Barnes (and his friend Noble). Surely a full priced book store would help me quench my lust for the printed word. “Surely!” I exclaimed as I fishtailed into my designated parking spot at the front of the lot (Summer’s Shadow had grasped the importance of my mission – she’s a good girl and how I love to hear her growl!).
Barnes quickly pointed me to the malicious intent section (which encompasses the entire store) and I managed to find not one, not two, but three (thank you Count, ah ah ah) books that I absolutely had to have:
And so when I arrived home, after feeding myself, and feeding Riley, (Summer’s Shadow wasn’t hungry), I proceeded to do something dangerous.
With malicious intent, I cracked opened a new book to feed my mind.
“I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind… and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge. That’s why I read so much, Jon Snow.”
-Tyrion Lannister in A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin
the dingo was here 