You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Watcha' Doing - 2020
Shirley wrote: "When I read about world events, I start to think that some people have lost their sense of reason, and then I think, maybe it's me that's wrong-thinking. In my lifetime, this has been the first tim..."If it is an age thing, we are the same age. I pretty much disconnected a few weeks ago. I limited myself to a few minutes of reading headlines and, if i felt the need, an article so I would not be totally disconnected. But no more.
On another topic, I went to a funeral today. Not a simple event nowadays. All things considered it went well, but the situation made it so much complicated and harder on everyone.
Margo and Saar - thanks for your comments. Yes, getting stuck into a good book is a great diversion.
Esther wrote: "Shirley wrote: "When I read about world events, I start to think that some people have lost their sense of reason, and then I think, maybe it's me that's wrong-thinking. In my lifetime, this has be..."Funerals must be so difficult these days. Not even to be able to hug family members, to have to maintain social distancing - it's unthinkable.
There is a huge scandal taking over the news outlets over here. There was a big funeral mass in Northern Ireland for a prominent republican. There were thousands of people attanding including all the big names of our republican party. This was in spite of a government ban on mass gatherings!
Afterwards there was a big procession to the crematorium where a service was help for the family. The same day, in Belfast, 8 other funurals were refused permission to hold any sevice at the crematorium. If I was one of these families I would be furious - as it is I'm boiling mad. Will things never change? One law for "important" people and another for the rest of us. And this is our far left party who are power sharing in the north anf came close to getting into power over here.
Rusalka wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Well, it now has been more than a year and we still don't have a governement."I've always wondered Saar, as I know this happens a bit with how the Belgian government is ..."
Good question Rus. We had about 2 months of post election negotiations this time before a government could be formed. Now Leo is gone - I'm gutted!!!
Rusalka wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Well, it now has been more than a year and we still don't have a governement."I've always wondered Saar, as I know this happens a bit with how the Belgian government is ..."
I don't follow the politics very regular, because we have a lot of political parties and it gets more complicated, because we've got the Flanders (so, the side who speaks Dutch) and on the other side of Belgium there's Walonia (the side who speaks a version of the French language). The political parties that Flanders have are also in Wallonia (not all of them and vice versa), but the French version. Then we have Brussels and the East - cantons. (These got other rules) Still following? :)
So, all of them needs to form a governement on federal level together, but the main parties (I think there are 4 or 5 of them on Flanders and Wallonia each) keeps on arguing and don't come to a negotiation.
I think they won't let the country without a governement for 2 years or so. The last time it took so long, there were re - elections. So, this will happen again, I hope. More parties are not always a good option.
I hope this was an answer to your question ;)
I was thinking a couple days ago how over the past few years I have gone heavily into reading nonfiction. There's just so many false truths out there these days I find myself wanting to try to get to the history and truth of whatever it is.I also don't like to stop by and discuss non fiction. IDK why but I feel like a teacher.
Anyway I think to w certain extent I moved away from Goodreads when my reading shifted.
I'm going to Edmonton today and will be back on Friday night. It's not likely I'll be checking the group while I'm away.
@Esther, I'm sorry. Funerals are awful without the pandemic addition.@Saar, I stopped trying to understand Belgium politics the year we spent in Lille. I don't blame you for finding hard to keep up.
@Travis, it makes perfect sense to me. We are not the same all the time, nor we have the same needs and expectations.
@Janice, travel safe.
Margo wrote: "Good question Rus. We had about 2 months of post election negotiations this time before a government could be formed. Now Leo is gone - I'm gutted!!!"Seriously?!? I had no idea! I thought he was rather sensible. What an accolade in these times /facepalm
Janice wrote: "I'm going to Edmonton today and will be back on Friday night. It's not likely I'll be checking the group while I'm away."Safe travels, Janice!
Saar The Book owl wrote: "I hope this was an answer to your question ;)"Sort of but not quite. Here in Australia, an election is called and in 3 years time (the constitution has an exact time frame) and election has to be called.
I was wondering if Belgium has a similar thing, and if it is set (eg American every 4th year in early Nov), or like us based on the last election, or more fluid depending on when you form government?
Travis wrote: "I was thinking a couple days ago how over the past few years I have gone heavily into reading nonfiction. There's just so many false truths out there these days I find myself wanting to try to get ..."Don't feel like a teacher! Tell us what you learnt and what books are good in this space as there is a lot of crap.
Travis wrote: "I was thinking a couple days ago how over the past few years I have gone heavily into reading nonfiction. There's just so many false truths out there these days I find myself wanting to try to get ..."That makes sense Travis. There is a lot of misinformation around and the only way to sort that out is to read around the subject, different sources written by experts, so that you can better form an opinion. I too have increased my non fiction reading in the last couple of years, although mine mainly relate to work although not totally. I don't discuss my non fiction reads on here either for some reason. I often think people wouldn't be interested as what I read about is perhaps a bit niche. Perhaps we could set up a thread on non-fiction books where we can discuss are reads there?! It would be great to have to around more again Travis!
I can't imagine what a funeral must be like right now. They are hard at the best of times. I hope the one you went to went off ok Esther. I can't believe that Margo about the Republican funeral! I hadn't heard about that.
Esther wrote: "On another topic, I went to a funeral today. Not a simple event nowadays. All things considered it went well, but the situation made it so much complicated and harder on everyone."So sorry to hear this Esther. May I ask if you could go in person? Sounds like from your comment and that's really hard with social distancing and the like.
I ask as we still have State border restrictions, and until 2 weeks ago here funerals were limited to 10 people. one of my staff had to attend his aunts funeral a month ago via zoom for example. So understand this is a odd world to do these important social rituals.
Hope all is okay. Thinking of you.
Sarah wrote: "Perhaps we could set up a thread on non-fiction books where we can discuss are reads there?!."Good idea! I need to read more too
Well currently I'm reading the new Jim Crow since according to Facebook people of color are making up systematic racism. The fact is there is more black on black violence. Yeah. That's what happens wheb you give felony charges to majority of poor black people and they can't get jobs and eventually turn to crime. Gotta look at the why behind the facts. Why is there black neighborhoods why is the black on black crime what it is and so many in jails. Funny to me how I know black folk with black.friends who are felons and the things they got felony charges for I know several white people around here who have been arrested for the same thing and at most got 50 hours of community service. Funny too how these are the white folk who are most vocal about racism not existing. A lot of people have clearly never had a conversation with black people from am inner city neighborhood. They base things off the handful of people who aren't the 93% Caucasian population around here and really aren't dealing with the same racism as a larger city has. Not to say there isn't racism but as far as it showing up in our local jails. We're way too white of course it's mostly white people arrested locally. It's almost all that lives hereIn other news my son's year old beagle had a seizure and has to get blood work. If organs are all working then he may just be epileptic. Just what I always wanted an epileptic dog lol
What's the book, Travis? Sorry, just as Jim Crow isn't on the radar here in Aus so making sure I'm looking at the right one. Sure sounds topical, and for us here too in Aus!Mum had an epileptic dog. Wasn't the cheapest dog, but she lived for a good 9 years with medication. The things life throws at you, hey?
It's been hot here I'm hoping the seizure was somehow heat related or dehydration or something. He's been fine last couple days since it happened
For info, I have just created a non-fiction thread which can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Travis wrote: "The book is The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness"I have it already in my TBR but I don't remember who recommended it to me.
Sarah wrote: "For info, I have just created a non-fiction thread which can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."Great! Thank you, Sarah. I have been trying to read more non-fiction and classics this year. I'm doing better with classics than non-fiction so far, but I've read a couple of good ones.
Sarah says there Travis now what's your excuse lol.Well played
I think someone mentioned flat earthers earlier around here. I have a story on thatLast month was pride month and city hall had a pride flag hanging out front. Or I guess that's what you call the kind of rainbow flag. Anyway this white probably 30 something heavy set guy, I provide the description because if you picture a guy living in his mom's basement using the internet you'd get this guy, went down there carrying a Bible and took the flag down. Then ended up in all the news saying he's a flat earthers and will be running for an elected position in local government because in the name of God he can't let such beastiality and unnatiral things such as supporting pride month happen in his city anymore. He did nothing wrong the flag was in public property
He was also arrested several days later on several charges so I guess the law disagreed with him. Lol
Travis wrote: "Sarah says there Travis now what's your excuse lol.Well played"
Haha!
I still can't understand how there are still people that think the earth is flat. I just can't fathom it out. And young people too!
Sarah wrote: "I still can't understand how there are still people that think the earth is flat. I just can't fathom it out. And young people too!"Yes, it's unbelievable.
Rusalka wrote: "So sorry to hear this Esther. May I ask if you could go in person? Sounds like from your comment and that's really hard with social distancing and the like.."Thank you. Yes I was there as I am family. There was a 50 person limit. You had to "RSVP". I think this number has to do with the size of the largest room of the funeral parlor, which was large enough to accomodate 50 well distanced chairs. Everyone with a mask. Everything was controlled. Part of the ceremony was broadcasted for those who could not make it.
Distancing really makes it hard and a bit surreal.. When I arrived, my cousin's wife saw me and started to cry. And all I could do is say something silly like" in my head, I am hugging you big time." argh.
Speaking of silly. Part of the service was a religious one. At communion time. the priest told that those who would take communion (??) to stand up and he would come to them. As there is a chance that hand bumping each other, i got to see one of my cousin trotting on the priest's heels with a bottle of purell (as per aforementioned regulations). Made sense but it did look on the silly side.
Oh my god, I've been doing nothing but play animal crossing ever since I got it.I haven't finished the book I'm currently reading since It went on a direction I did not like that much :( but I do need to go back to reading soon.
This is my favorite example of the injustice of our criminal system. Their was a white college student. He was on a path to become member of the Olympic swimming team. He was caught raping a girl. He was pulled off the girl by two men. He spent less then a month in jail. Recently a black man was released after 30 years in prison. The innocence project got his case reviewed. Their were finger prints in the room that were not his. Their was no evidence he was in the room. The DNA proved it was not him.
A black man with no proof he was their got 30. The white man who was pulled off his victim got weeks.
The thing that really made me angry was the white man's father had the nerve to say he shouldn't be on the sex offenders registry. It would ruin his life. If that is not a definition of whit privalge what is?
It happens so often Renee and we conveniently ignore these things it's sad
Renee wrote: "This is my favorite example of the injustice of our criminal system. Their was a white college student. He was on a path to become member of the Olympic swimming team. He was caught raping a girl. ..."Racism happens everywhere, black people face the worst kind of racism, I've seen it in my own country (Middle eastern here) and when I went to Germany, anyone from Africa and middle east had to go to a "special" screening to get checked where white people can go to their flights normally, we were informed too late. we (2 black women and my family) had to find that place (without any help) before we miss our flight, two white men sat on our seats didn't like that they had to get back to their seats so they complained to someone and we got were told to get off OUR OWN SEATS or else we'll be kicked out.
And People say white privilege isn't a thing?
I for one have been more than willing to admit that I have had the same foolish attitude as I see in many others. Having kids was the first thing that made me start opening my eyes and our current president was the next. I knew it was time to start listening because everything has to start and stop somewhere and it's up to us to teach the next generation how to be better. 10 years ago before I had kids I probably would have said white privilege wasn't real. Now, especially lately with so many middle class white folk experts on racism and being way too vocal out there on it being fake I clearly see it's definitely real. All we can do is listen, learn and try to do better. First we have to be willing. My wife and I have been heavy into books about race Honestly it was the phrase until black lives matter no lives matter and also all lives matter but right now our focus is on black lives that made me really stop and think about things. And it clicked with me finally.
I'm not trying to change the world just raise my kids with a different view and try to lead by example. Which is always how we have tried to parent
There is no switch that's going to be flipped it's going to take the effort of several generations willing to try to do better to actually change the world
The level of heat and humidity we are currently having around here is just plain stupid.I may as well just fill a kiddie pool with gold Bond powder and roll around in it 4 or 5 times a day lol
I hope your dog is ok Travis!The weather has been really rubbish here the last week or so. We had some crazy hot weather a few weeks back and then it went all rainy. Apparently we're due another heatwave at some point soon?!
For the last two days I've had sciatica day and night. It's all this sitting around on my arse during lockdown. I used to have back and sciatica problems years ago but it went away. Every couple of years I get a flair up and it normally sorts itself out with a couple of chiropractic sessions. But I can't do that now with covid. So I'm going to have to do extra yoga and walk more I think. It's driving me crazy.
I hope it eases up soon Sarah! The weather has been rubbish here too. There has been no rain for 7 weeks or so and it was extremely sunny starting in March, which was great at the beginning of lockdown. But the past week feels like it's autumn. Lots of rain, strong winds, cloudy. There were a few nice days in June, but not many. My yoga class was planned outside instead of online in June, and I've been only able to go once.. I think 3 out of 5 classes I signed up for were cancelled because of the weather.
I'm SO done with work at the moment. I can't motivate myself, I get annoyed quickly when meetings take too long, I'm tired of sitting behind my laptop at home all day.. I wake up already a bit grumpy, snooze 3 times, skip my daily walk. I feel a bit stressed all the time, even in the evenings when I'm on the couch reading a book or watching tv, I just feel hyper alert, my mind doesn't stop thinking about things besides the book or the tv-show, and I notice even when I do those things that normally relax me my breathing is very short and shallow and rapid. The weather isn't helping with all this either.I have a meeting at 9.30 and after that I'm going to make this a selfcare day.
Only one more week of work to go! Half actually, as on Wednesday we have graduation ceremonies all day (due to corona, it's in a football stadium and the graduates can enter the field through the tunnel that players normally use to enter the field, and they line in up in front of the stands where their parents or loved ones will be. All at 1.5m distance of course. Thursday is for actual physical real lunch with your team, and Friday is Friday before the holidays so I hope I don't have anything to do anymore.
The current situation definitely makes life more stressful Peggy. A self care day sounds perfect. I'm in the same boat stress wise but for different reasons. It's not nice. I went for a 40 minute walk and did a 30 minute yoga session yesterday which helped my mood and my back enormously. It made me feel much more motivated and positive too. I booked in a couple of clients, the first since before lockdown. I was planning on waiting until the end of the month but i thought 'what the hell'. Still online, i'm not comfortable seeing them face to face yet. I also did some prep work and reading. Probably most i've done for a while.
A walk and yoga always help me too. Also, colouring while listening to some nice easy-listening music. And reading, if it's not about a negative or difficult topic.Ugh, that 1-hour meeting turned into a 2-hour meeting and then other things that need to be handled popped up, so now I'm still working all the hours I usuallo do on a Friday.
I get impatient with colouring weirdly. I started drawing again this week though which has been good. Yes I'm tending towards fluffier books for my fiction at the moment.
Yes, and fantasy, just to escape into a completely different world.
Oh, that's too bad, Peggy. Seems things always "pop up" at work to keep us there. I hope you end up with at least a little time for some relaxing self care.
Peggy wrote: "I'm SO done with work at the moment. I can't motivate myself, I get annoyed quickly when meetings take too long, I'm tired of sitting behind my laptop at home all day.. I wake up already a bit grum..."I'm not surprised, Peggy. It was a particular stressing semester for everyone. In your case having to change classes in-school to remote learning and making it work, always with the uncertainty of what is going to happen and for how long this is going to be the normal. It felt like more than a semester in amount of work and stress for my husband, I know that.
I also had a 2 or 3 weeks period in May when I was feeling the way you describe. Not very easy to handle with other 9 people living here with me. :) I've been feeling better lately. Going out helped. We are not doing too much (there isn't too much to do) but at least once a week we go hiking (easy to maintain distance) or to swim in the lake (a small lake were there are never more than 15 families, and where it is easy to stay in your social bubble). Even it is only once a week, it is helping, and compared with what we had since March, it's like going on vacations.
Still my stress level went up a little these last 2 or 3 days since this is the weekend we have to decide what to do with our kids next school year. I am receiving tons of emails and information about the plans, etc. We have to decide on in-school classes, remote learning, busing... It is a responsibility and I am feeling it. No matter how much I think and try to pick the best option, I am never sure and there seems not too be a good option.
I hope this last week is not as stressful, and things start improving when you are done with work. For how long are you on "vacations"? When do you have to start again?
Getting out to nature definitely helps Sandra! Whether it's hiking, cycling, swimming.. except when it rains, is cold, and there are string winds, which is what we've been having lately. Are your kids staying in the same school and just moving up a grade? And they still give you all those options for each kid? Wow! It's nice to be given options, but I can imagine it's stressful too. This is so new, you can never be quite sure how things turn out. I'm sure you'll make the right decision though, and perhaps changes can be made during the school year?
I have 5 weeks of vacation! Not starting again until the 24th of August. The first 2 weeks I'm home by myself, the other 3 Rob has off too. We'll be on holiday (staying within the country) for 16 days.
It should be plenty of time to unload and recharge for next year. We'll be teaching 80% online at least until February. In September-October I'm teaching a course that's partly given at the school, so I'll be able to go to work 1 day a week. Yay! Not the kind of course I'd normally teach, but I'll just be happy to be out of the house and in a class room!
Five weeks sound good, and hopefully the weather will improve.I typed my answer and realized that it might be too covid focused, so I moved it to the Corona Chat thread.
Sandra wrote: "@Esther, I'm sorry. Funerals are awful without the pandemic addition.@Saar, I stopped trying to understand Belgium politics the year we spent in Lille. I don't blame you for finding hard to keep ..."
@Sandra: Lille is a city in France, not in Belgium, but it's not far from the border between both ;)
Rusalka wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "I hope this was an answer to your question ;)"Sort of but not quite. Here in Australia, an election is called and in 3 years time (the constitution has an exact time fra..."
Hm, I must admit that I dont' know. Politics are not realy my cup of tea, but maybe it should. I know that elections for a new governement are every 4 year in May, but I don't know if it's fluid like when there's no governement yet. I'm trying to remember the last time that happened, not long ago. I can ask my collegue Monday. He's more into politics.
I mentioned in the Corona Virus thread that my trip to Edmonton was for some tests at the UoA hospital.I have to go back for another test on Tuesday. I meet with the specialist again on Wednesday morning. He's asked for a family member to attend the appointment because there's a lot of information to digest. He's tentatively booked me for the final procedure on August 5th. Providing there are no complications, I will continue on life as usual after that.
All that to let you know that I'm not going to be online much in the next month or so while I take care of this glitch.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lost Man (other topics)The Glass Woman (other topics)
The Survivors (other topics)
The Survivors (other topics)
The Glass Woman (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Roberto Bolaño (other topics)Dervla McTiernan (other topics)
Kevin Hearne (other topics)
Rachel Caine (other topics)
Tan France (other topics)
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I've always wondered Saar, as I know this happens a bit with how the Belgian government is set up and the amount of parties you have (I wish we had more parties here, but the negotiating sounds intense). But when you don't have a government for a year, does the next election date get pushed back until the government forms? Or do you know you have to go to the polls again in 3-4 years time (or whatever it is) even if you don't have a government for 2 of those years?