All About Books discussion
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General Chit-Chat Part 2!
About the newness of terrorism - I’ve just finished March by Jon Lewis and I was amazed to learn how often cars, trucks, bombs, chemical fumigants and guns were used to attack children in the U.S.A. In the 1950’s and 1960’s.In one case 2 Eagle Scouts were inspired by a Klan rally and so shot a 13 year-old riding home on his bicycle. Heartbreaking that so little has changed.
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It is very sad Joan
Joan wrote: "About the newness of terrorism - I’ve just finished March by Jon Lewis and I was amazed to learn how often cars, trucks, bombs, chemical fumigants and guns were used to attack children in the U.S.A..."Precisely. The media skews things to make it seem like it's new or limited to fewer types of groups that it actually is. This sort of thing has gone on for millennia in different ways and by people who are athiests, religious, political, apolitical, etc. Some humans are horrible--sad but true.
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This is so true Karin! - you can go back as far as ancient Roman times and find this. There is mental illness of course and also truly evil people.
But for the rest of us, I think the key thing is to hold firmly in one's heart to a line that won't ever, ever be crossed for any reason. There is often great injustice, sometimes partly imagined but other times very, very painfully real, and it's possible to make oneself believe that anything is necessary to stop it .. the human mind is just too self-deceptive, and some things can't be undone. There has to be a line that no matter how intellectually convincing the argument or how emotionally pulling the conditions, one won't step over for any reason because it is better to die than to cross it. When I was younger, I didn't understand that, but thankfully I lived in a historical time, place, and condition where I wasn't led astray. I shudder to think of all the people who live in conditions of civil strife and war, where choices aren't easy and consequences are beyond imagining.
Something to make you smile: a link to the 2017 finalists for the best comedy in nature photo:
http://digg.com/2017/funny-animal-pho...
http://digg.com/2017/funny-animal-pho...
Greg, well said. I just finished listening to David Suchet reading The Book of Job from the Bible - it too is about deciding how you will respond to provocation, why good people suffer and how can a person of faith express anger to God.
Terri, they were REALLY amusing photos. Thanks. I like starting my day with a laugh.
Terri, don't you just love these? :) :) :)
Chrissie and B, glad you liked them. :)
Terri - those were great but I cannot pick just one that is the funniest. I’m glad I’m not a judge for the competition.
Anyone remember when I said my ex was going to send me back my whole lot of books? Well, forget it. It's now been two months since he wrote me that, and I give up all hope. I'm very angry and sad because I now realize it was just another sly way of trying to get in touch. He obviously expected me to reply thanking him profusely and maybe even telling him I love him, who knows? Needless to say I did nothing of the kind, I didn't even reply. I guess someone who is emotionally abusive never stops behaving that way, regardless whether you play the victim or just plain ignore him. It's now been four years since we split up and I never got in touch with him all of these years. I guess he'll never stop trying.
Marina wrote: "Anyone remember when I said my ex was going to send me back my whole lot of books? Well, forget it. It's now been two months since he wrote me that, and I give up all hope. I'm very angry and sad b..."That is so upsetting! What a creep.
Marina wrote: "Anyone remember when I said my ex was going to send me back my whole lot of books? Well, forget it. It's now been two months since he wrote me that, and I give up all hope. I'm very angry and sad b..."Still, no books! I asked you about two weeks ago, if I remember correctly. I feel like bashing the guy myself. YOU must be furious. He is playing with you and that is totally despicable. Grrrr.
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http://digg.com/2017/funny-animal-pho..."
Oh my gosh, I loved this Terri!!! The seal picture in particular was hilarious!
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Job is written so poetically too Joan - beautifully written. I would love to hear that with Suchet reading!
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So sorry Marina - how exasperating!!!
Marina, he sounds like a bit of a stalker to me, doing anything to get your attention and stay in touch. I'd advise blocking him, if you can, so you do not get any more of these contacts.
Ah Marina, I'm sorry about your books, but maybe it's best that he doesn't send them and see it as a way back into your life. Stalker type behaviour is never nice and the smallest thing can set them off again. I agree about blocking him. If you can, treat yourself to a new book and try to forget about those you have lost.
Marina, I still think you should get your books back. Like, only meet him at a place designated by you and with the books in-tow. Do not meet him alone. Get the books and then it is toodaloo. Infuriating.
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What a shame!!!!
Thanks everybody. Chrissie, in fact, I wouldn't have to meet him to get my books back, he said he would send them to my parents'. So that would be good. I definitely don't want to meet him.
Bette and Pink, I've blocked him everywhere, but he always seems to set up new email addresses just to be able to write to me. He sent me a new email about the books just a few hours ago. I was furious! Yes, he is a bit of a stalker, though not close enough. I consulted a lawyer about three years ago and she told me he wasn't contacting me often enough to press charges. Apparently he should contact me every day or so, in order to talk about actual stalking.
Marina, do you have a large male relative who could go round and 'sort' him out? Or - I'd be insisting my lawyer send him a 'cease and desist' letter now! Do not take this ex lightly!
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Greg, it is beautiful- the Chiluly museum in downtown Seattle is worth a trip if you have time.
Marina wrote: "Thanks everybody. Chrissie, in fact, I wouldn't have to meet him to get my books back, he said he would send them to my parents'. So that would be good. I definitely don't want to meet him.
Bett..."
Good luck Marina - I hope you find a response that works for you soon. And friends that remind you that his behavior is not your fault - that can be hard to remember.
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Thanks Joan! - this trip the timing will be too tight, but I'll definitely try next time. I come here 2 to 4 times a year. :)
Greg, that's a beautiful window! Really lovely!
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I thought so too Petra! - Seattle airport has a lot of interesting artwork!
What a beautiful window, Greg! Thanks for the pics.
Greg, thanks. So pretty. Xmas is approaching quickly.
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This a great styained window in a church close to where I work. The artisan worksho that have made it is famous all over the world: one of their work - a copy of the Last Supper by Leonardo is in a church in California! http://forestlawn.com/glendale/
This another window depicting Queen Margerita - the same of the pizza!!!!
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Laura, that's beautiful! Very exquisite!
Is the pizza really named after a queen?Beautiful picture, thanks.
@MarinaI take it changing YOUR email adress is not an option?
idiffer wrote: "@MarinaI take it changing YOUR email adress is not an option?"
Unfortunately not, because I use it for work and I would have to alert dozens of clients as to my new address... not to mention potential clients whose emails I would never get if I changed my address.
Marina wrote: "idiffer wrote: "@MarinaI take it changing YOUR email adress is not an option?"
Unfortunately not, because I use it for work and I would have to alert dozens of clients as to my new address... not..."
That sucks. My sympathies. But hey, at least he's not calling you. I've had ppl call me from different numbers for like a month, and that was infuriating (I don't remember why I didn't change my number, think I was lazy and hoped they would stop soon).
Way to make it all about you, idiffer...
idiffer, in fact he did call me and text me countless times at the beginning. However, blocking his number on my phone is way easier than blocking him on my email, apparently (I guess that's because he only has one phone number, while it's easier for him to set up loads of email addresses).
Greg wrote: "Saw this beautiful window glass art at the airport when I flew into Seattle yesterday:"That is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your photos with us, Greg.
LauraT wrote: "This a great styained window in a church close to where I work. The artisan worksho that have made it is famous all over the world: one of their work - a copy of the Last Supper by Leonardo is..."
Wow. I love her dress.
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That is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your photos with us, Greg."
Thanks Esther!
I love the stained glass photos! Thanks for sharing, Greg & Laura!The book launch turned out to be quite enjoyable. By the end only three copies were left! I've posted photos on my profile if anyone is interested. Two more days of small gatherings with friends and I'll be on my flight home.
Alice , so glad the launch went well . Enjoy the rest of your time ! Off to check out your pictures.
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Which proves what I have always said (I'm Canadian originally so not opposed to gun control) that blaming the weapon is not the answer. The problem is much deeper and different; it's the culprits not the how.
Sadly, this sort of thing is not new, although we are seeing a surge it seems.