Things that do not rock

[Tommy]

Oh, I do fully agree with all things said here. Just, for me personally, it helps, while being devastated and disappointed, that it is happening less and less than many people think. Tons of people really do believe that all types of violent crimes are at an all time high because reports of them are. It's a pretty easy conclusion to come to.

An--for lack of better word--event like the one that happened in France is always worth mourning and raising awareness of, and as awareness is raised more and more, it is, by the numbers, getting better. Sadly, getting to the point of zero attacks a yeah is just unrealistic. Too many people are too scared or angry by people who are not like them and, for whatever reason, feel they need to strike. But the more we express our shame, the more we stand together, not against any belief, but against this type of action, the better the world will be over longer periods of time. That's my way of thinking, anyway.
It helps me personally to remind myself that these maniacs are the minority.

[Heidi]

Gotcha Tommy. Yes. It is good and helpful to remember that there is more good than evil and more united than divided :)

[Tommy]

Definitely. I hope I didn't give the vibe that it was better to remember that than to mourn the loss of lives. Even one life taken too early is absolutely worthy of attention, let alone hundreds of lives.

[Heidi]

Nope. I got what you are saying Tommy :)

[Brigid ✩]

A little late to the conversation, but––well said, all of you. I haven't really talked to anyone about what happened, it's just so shocking and terrible and sickening that I don't know what to say. I've just kind of been absorbing it all and it's so sad. And then I realize that things like this happen all over the world––every day in some places––and will continue to happen and it makes me feel so hopeless. Although I've also seen a lot of things about people helping each other during the tragedy and that gives me some hope for humanity. After horrible things like this happen I always think of this Mister Rogers quote: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'”

[Heidi]

Great quote Brigid!

[[deleted user]]

So many great things said here. Brigid is right that this happens all over the world and it amazes me that we don't hear about it.

Thank you for the Mister Rogers quote, Brigid. I *heart* him.

[Heidi]

I love this group :)

[Brigid ✩]

Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "I love this group :)"

Me too. :D

[Kristen]

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "A little late to the conversation, but––well said, all of you. I haven't really talked to anyone about what happened, it's just so shocking and terrible and sickening that I don't know what to say...."

It's so easy to get swallowed by the hopelessness, but the Parisians have done an amazing job showing us how not to let that overcome us. They've been United in showing that they are mourning, yet refuse to give in to fear, making a point of saying they would go straight out to the restaurants and parks again, not distrust immigrants, and would not live in anticipation of something bad happening again. It has been humbling to see my Parisian friends posting empathy for the Syrians and posting messages to ISIS that they did not succeed in changing France's views, while many of my other friends are terrified and warning of imminent attacks everywhere. I'm in Atlanta and another friend just sent me a link warning of an attack here and told me I should not leave the house!
I have decided I'd rather be like my Parisian friends than live a limited life in fear inside my house.

[Heidi]

Kristen wrote: "Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "A little late to the conversation, but––well said, all of you. I haven't really talked to anyone about what happened, it's just so shocking and terrible and sick..."

Good plan Kristen! So often fear breads hate. I understand that; but I am always refreshed to hear when people choose to react to fearful things with an open mind and an open heart. It renews my faith in humanity :)

[Brigid ✩]

Agreed, Kristen. :) I think important thing to understand about ISIS is that they purposefully want to create distrust and Islamophobia, so giving in to that fear is giving them exactly what they want. I'm glad to see that so many Parisians, and other people worldwide, refuse to give in to that fear.

[[deleted user]]

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "Agreed, Kristen. :) I think important thing to understand about ISIS is that they purposefully want to create distrust and Islamophobia, so giving in to that fear is giving them exactly what they w..."

Exactly, Brigid.

[Kristen]

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "Agreed, Kristen. :) I think important thing to understand about ISIS is that they purposefully want to create distrust and Islamophobia, so giving in to that fear is giving them exactly what they w..."

Well put

[*b*l*u*e*m*o*o*n*]

Things that do not ROCK...

workload just before you go on vacation -_-'

[Heidi]

Oh yes. I always feel the crunch at work before I leave for a few days on vacation!

[*b*l*u*e*m*o*o*n*]

I'm going to be gone for a month so, I need to make sure all my work is done before then -_-

[Elora]

Things that do not rock.....

Having books due at the library...

And only enough time in the day to return them, not peruse for more.

Thank goodness for digital books being available! :)

[Brigid ✩]

Haha that's definitely frustrating, Elora! I usually stop at the library to or from work, but I often don't have much time there. I wish I could just be there all day. :P

[[deleted user]]

I didn't even finish the last book I checked out from the library. :( It was really inconvenient to carry the book around and I only read a little bit of it. So much for saving money by using the library!

[Heidi]

That stinks Shannen! I love library books. How is your libraries Overdrive ebook selection???

[Tommy]

I'm the opposite. It's rare for me to leave the library without at least 10 books and more often than not I leave with somewhere around 20 and with renewals I'll more often than not finish them all before my next batch. And that's with my typical library trip being me trekking the books there and back in a backpack haha.

[Becky]

Things that don't rock is having unexpected gall bladder surgery in the middle of December. At least it wasn't Christmas. On the other hand, I got to see how great my husband is as he had to deal with the kids, house stuff, cooking and taking care of me. Thankfully, I'm just about recovered in time for the holidays.

[Brigid ✩]

@Shannen - I hate when I have to return a book without reading it! Sometimes I renew things for like two months before I actually read them, haha. Recently I had to return a book without reading it and I still feel guilty about it––which I know is kinda dumb since I can just check it out again, but still. :P

@Tommy - 20 books???? How do you carry them all??? o_o Lol. I usually limit myself to like 2-3, and I don't like having out more than 5 or so books at a time. I tend to go to the library at least once a week, though!

@Becky - oh no, I'm sorry to hear that! :( It's good it wasn't on Christmas, though. And that's awesome of your husband to help out so much. Feel better soon!

[Becky]

Thanks!

I return books unread to the library all of the time. I guess it helps when you only live a couple of blocks away.

[Heidi]

Heal well Becky!

[Becky]

Thanks, Heidi. You would think I would have read a bunch of books while I recovered but I fell into a Netflix vortex instead. But I should be getting some new books for Christmas.....

[Heidi]

Understandable Becky! I power watch shows when I am off work due to surgery or illness. I love that new Amazon Prime commercial about getting sucked into a show and being depressed when you are done.

[Elora]

Any of the rest of you now getting ads on the app and a bunch of "sponsored" books in the updates?

[Heidi]

Not yet Elora - I hope not :(

[*b*l*u*e*m*o*o*n*]

I don't really use the app that much, but never got that problem yet, when I do use it

[Ashley Marie]

I don't have a smartphone, thus no app here.

Although, on the topic of things that do not rock, I woke up with a nasty kink in my neck so I can't turn my head to the left :P

[Heidi]

That is the worst Ashley. It doesn't go away until you go back to sleep either!

[Ashley Marie]

Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "That is the worst Ashley. It doesn't go away until you go back to sleep either!"

Right, and even then it might take a few days. ugh.

[Brigid ✩]

Oh ouch, I'm sorry Ashley. :( Hope it's feeling better now. That happened to me once last summer––I don't even know what I did, just woke up and my neck hurt SO much. I couldn't even turn my head or look up/down or anything, haha. Weird how that happens.

[Kristen]

I'm so sorry, Ashley. I hope you can work it out before a few days!

[Ashley Marie]

Still kinked :-/ it gets a little better every day though.

[Heidi]

A few months ago I kinked up my neck/shoulder so much from lifting weights improperly (lazy way) that I eventually paid for a 1/2 hour deep tissue massage and had her focus only on that area because I couldn't hardly work it was bothering me so much! She did end up massaging the lower part of my back on the opposite side too because I guess she told me people over compensate and use that more so it was all knots too! I would love a weekly massage - I get knotted up easily with my Type A personality!

[Ashley Marie]

Ahhhhh weekly massages would be AMAZING.

[Donna (BookDragonGirl)]

Heidi, it doesn't rock that you kinked up you neck and shoulder. But I bet that massage rocked!!! Glad it helped.

[Heidi]

It was sweet relief Donna and reminded me to always pay attention when I am lifting weights!

[Ashley Marie]

RIP Prince. Holy crap. Can we just rewind this year and start it over?

[W.J.]

Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "RIP Prince. Holy crap. Can we just rewind this year and start it over?"

Just heard, Ashley. Can't believe it! Another great gone :( Feel the need to listen to Purple Rain now.

[Brigid ✩]

Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "RIP Prince. Holy crap. Can we just rewind this year and start it over?"

Seriously. :( We've already lost so many great artists this year.

[Heidi]

Being a MN girl at heart I am so sad to hear about Prince. I am irrationally sad about his passing because his songs remind me of my youth.

[Brigid ✩]

Aw that's not irrational, Heidi. I get very sad about the deaths of famous people. Even if you didn't know them or anything, it's still upsetting because their work meant so much to you and thousands of other people.

[Ashley Marie]

What Brigid said. I know his hits but I'm sure it would've affected me more had I grown up when he first reached stardom and seen the effect he really had on the world.

[W.J.]

Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "Being a MN girl at heart I am so sad to hear about Prince. I am irrationally sad about his passing because his songs remind me of my youth."

Me too, Heidi. Played his albums a lot in my teens & early twenties.

[Elora]

Hi, dear mods.....
Can we do a "Things That Rock" thread? :)

[Brigid ✩]

There is one, Elora! It's called Things I Love. :) Looks like no one's used it in quite a while, haha. It might be time to start a new thread, though. What do you think, other mods?