bare_bear: (Library=Knowledge)
I just bought a Kobo (ereader thing that's not an Amazon product).  I'm actually pretty excited about this despite my technophobe tendancies and the general pro-book-anti-ereader stance I've generally taken.  I can load all sorts of fic and ebooks that I normally read on my laptop, as well as pdf documents like my knitting patterns!  To be honest, it was the pdf reader thing that won me over.  :D

Now if I could just get this thing synched with my computer...
bare_bear: (Library=Knowledge)
I finished reading Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer yesterday morning while curled up on D's couch.  There's nothing quite like curling up with a cup of coffee and reading in the morning while you're boyfriend makes you breakfast! 

Anyways, it was a really good book, a non-fiction account of Chris McCandless trek around the western States and final trip into the wilds of Alaska, living almost entirely off the land.  You know how the story ends, but Krakauer weaves the tale beautifully, alternating between McCandless's point of view, the point of view of his family and the people he encountered on his travels, the publics reaction to his fate, and comparisons with others who have ventured out into the wild on dangerous pursuits.  It's a sad tale, but a good one; you really get the feeling that McCandless was happy with the path he'd chosen, even if (or maybe because) it conflicted with the path his parents wanted him on.

I'm not good at book reviews, but I'd definitely recommend this one.  I've already passed it on to my roommate to read on her trip, and will likely send it along to others.  I think my Grandma would really enjoy it!

And now I can finally watch the movie with D.  :)

bare_bear: (Library=Knowledge)
Just put on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and I never realized that David Tennant (Barty Crouch Junior) and Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory) were in this!  It'll be interesting to see them in these roles, especially Tennant.

I'm so excited to be watching these movies again, but it's making me want to read the books again.  So good!
bare_bear: Caution sign showing a monster leaning over a cliff to eat a car (Default)
Okay, change of plans. I decided to bike down to see the rest of the Canada Day celebration, and that was sort of a dumb idea when you've a sore shoulder. 

This is what happened:
  1. Ride bike down the bike path next to the road, both hands on the handles
  2. Purse slips off hip and slides forward, bumping against legs and generally being annoying
  3. Remove right hand from handles to adjust purse
  4. Leave only left hand on handles, which is attached to left arm, which is attached to a very sore shoulder
  5. Don't pay attention to the road ahead
  6. Ride off the curb
  7. Take all the impact not absorbed by the shocks with my left arm and shoulder
  8. Nearly puke from the pain
Ahaha oh god, not my most shining moment.  I basically popped some advil, craddled my arm the rest of the way into city centre and prayed that the pharmacy was open so I could buy some A535.  They were, thank fuck.

*~~*~~*

I did wander into the local independent bookstore afterward though, and bought Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.  M and I are going to watch the movie, but he told me I had to read the book first.  And I will, once I'm finished the two other books I've been working my way through for the last few months. 

Babbling about A Study in Scarlet and Madam Curie, A Biography )

Anywho, I think this post has gone on long enough.  My shoulder is now nicely numb from the lotion and I think it's time for a cuppa before reading? watching a movie? playing a game?  Not sure yet, but whatever it is, it'll be nice and relaxing.  :D 

Happy Canada Day! 


bare_bear: (Darcy Admiration)
I just received a Jane Austin birthday care package from my best friend today!  It contained:Add a crochet project, I forsee a lovely evening tonight!
bare_bear: (If fire then exit)
Just watched the first episode of Sherlock.  Uh, yes please, I'll have some more of that. 

Actually, this came about because I just saw the second Sherlock Holmes movie last night at the theatre, and hell yes that was awesome.  Obviously I need to see the first movie now.  But since I forgot to go rent it, I figured I'd do the next best thing and watch the BBC TV series that I've heard people rave about.

I need to start listening to people when they tell me to see these things, because obviously I'm missing out.

Now bring on the fanfic!  And the original novels, because I also obviously need to re-read them too.

BOOK YAY!

Jul. 21st, 2011 02:07 pm
bare_bear: (Library=Knowledge)
Just got my library card!  YAY BOOKS! 

My local branch is teeny tiny, though, and seems to house All The Books No One Wants.  That's okay, though, because we can order books from one library and have it shipped to this one.  Within 5 minutes of getting my card, I've ordered:

Madame Curie: A Biography, by Eve Curie
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements, by Sam Keen
and a Torchwood novel...can't remember which one now

The first one because I am fascinated by Marie Curie's life, especially her dedication to science.  I came across a museum about her in Warsaw (I think? Somewhere in Poland, anyways), and have been curious ever since.

The second one because I am a filthy filthy science geek, and someone recommended it to me.  Never thought I'd be so geeky about chemistry, but what can you do.

And the last one because the recent Torchwood series has sparked an intense craving for the first 2.5 series of the show.  :D


bare_bear: (lollie)
I've just spend the morning (and a good part of the early afternoon) reading Charitable Getting by Sam Starbuck, and despite never having been involved in the non-profit sector - or even worked in an office environment (yet) - I am thoroughly enjoying the book.  Even if I keep shaking my head at the references to the authors own life.  :D  It's a funny read and I just want to keep reading, despite having Things To Do this afternoon.

For instance, I'm moving house.  Well, sort of.  I'm packing up my things and going to stay with another friend.  I feel a little bad, abandoning this place, but my hosts have been spectacular (despite one of them being out of country again), and I know they're going to have company again, and I kind of feel like I'm going to (or have?) wear out my welcome.  So pack up I must, and I want to tidy up the place before my one remaining host returns. 

Ugh, hate packing.  Would rather be reading.  :)

Books ya!

Jan. 11th, 2011 01:45 pm
bare_bear: Caution sign showing a monster leaning over a cliff to eat a car (Default)
I'm loving the local library, here in Small Town, Manitoba.  Not only does it have wifi and a nice quiet corner to work in, but it has books!  And not only text books and journal book and other similar types of books I'm used to signing out from the University libraries the last way to many years, but interesting, fun books!

This is a novelty to me, for way too many years.  It's so nice to sit down with a good book that I don't have to memorize or take notes from.  Unless I want to, that is.

I recently took out and practically ate a great book called Lottery, by Patricia Wood, and I could barely put it down.  It's a tale about Perry L. Crandall, a man who, while having an IQ of 76, is probably the wisest character I've ever met in fiction.  He, as his grandmother did, claims his middle initial stands for "Lucky", and it's proven right when he wins the Lottery, but not necessarily because of the money.  It's a story about luck and love, all kind of both, that being smart doesn't mean being wise, and that money doesn't bring happiness, only love does, and the importance of family - the kind you're born with and the kind you choose.

Seriously, read the book.  It's a heartwarming read, and for me, it really brought things into perspective and focus.

Now I'm looking forward to my next acquisition, The Housekeeper and the Professor, by Yoko Ogawa.  About a once-famous math professor who, after a traffic accident years ago, can only store about 80 minutes of short-term memory, his housekeeper and her 10 year old son, this story sounds like it's going to be a fascinating read.  It seems to have gotten decent to good reviews, and the Feminist Review seems to promise it'll be a gut-wrenchingly beautiful book.  Can't wait!

Today is totally a book day.  I also received my new copy of Pants for Real People this morning, which is really cool, if you're into sewing.  I've posted a brief review of it over on my sewing blog, Sewing On Pins.  :)

But in the mean time, I have my own book to write.  Shames it's so fricken boring.

Do-Dads

May. 18th, 2010 01:43 pm
bare_bear: Heart-shaped sugar cube on spoon above tea cup (Tea Love)
As a huge Jane Austen fan and as someone who appreciates old books, this makes my heart just a flutter. The British Library has a digital copy on their website of The History of England, as written by Jane Austen when she was 15 years old as a parody of the history texts she learned from in school. Not that I need the procrastination right now, but it'll be my reward for surviving this week, I think. :D

And just to add to that list of Things to Read When I Finish My Work, there's this article on A Proper Cup of Tea that I received in a newsletter from the Jane Austen Centre in Bath that looks interesting.

AND speaking of procrastination, I went to my very first Thesis Support Group meeting. Cut for boring babble. :D )
Alright, enough procrastinating. I have a presentation to make and a whole lot of research to do!
bare_bear: (Library=Knowledge)
Book Title: Fairest
Author: Gail Carson Levine

I couldn't put this book down! )
bare_bear: Caution sign showing a monster leaning over a cliff to eat a car (Research)
*eyes previous entry*  I should not be allowed to make posts at 3 am while stressed.  3 am posts while drunk are another matter entirely!  :D

Am in Yellowknife right now, and the sun. does. not. set.  EVER.  Strange to see, and very confusing.  Last night at about 9 pm (Yellowknife time), I was talking to Mom, where it's 10 pm (Manitoba time), telling her that it feels like 11 pm (Kingston time), but it LOOKS LIKE 4 PM OUTSIDE.  My internal clock was really messed up.  Didn't help that we'd been up since 6 am (Kingston time).  OH GOD TIME TRAVEL IS CONFUSING.

Otherwise things are going well here.  The exciting bit is I found out that Jay Ingram from Daily Planet is going to be here doing a book signing on Saturday!  SO EXCITED but I will refrain from fangirling too much.  :D  I plan to buy a book and get him to sign it.  And maybe get a signature for a buddy of mine since she loves that show too.  :)  It'll make her day, anyways. 

Can't wait to go north to the mine site.  Picked up a fishing rod this afternoon so we can spend the evenings fishing!  HERE FISHY FISHY FISHY!  :D

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