Week 41: 10/1 - 10/7

[Heather]

poshpenny wrote: "I remember those, but I remember my family having the LPs. I specifically remember Herbie the Love Bug. You could open the sleeve into a book and..."

My favorite was Goofy the Mailman and singing along to "The Mail Must Go Through". That song regularly gets stuck in my head even to this day.

[Erica]

Happy Friday! Stressful week for me worrying about my grandma and a covid scare at her care home occuring right when we're visiting for her birthday. Fortunately it wasn't covid. No idea how thanksgiving is going to go for us this weekend.

Finished Reading:

Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals 5 stars
This series is so cute. This volume surrounds a fencing tournament and the rules and strategies are discussed and very interesting.

Heat Stroke 3 stars
Great characters and world. The book was a bit weak though. When you're frustrated with the main characters being stupid just so the story arc works it's hard to love the book.

The Old Guard, Book One: Opening Fire 5 stars
This was awesome. I watched the movie first and all the my favourite parts were from the graphic novel. However the artwork pales in comparison to the actually actors they cast in the movie.

Break Your Glass Slippers 4 stars
She took the Cinderella story as inspiration to heart when writing her poems. Ultimately this collection is about being you're own fairy godmother, prince, and princess.

Well Met 4 stars
My sister had recommended this and a bunch of my reviewers were reading it in time for the sequel being released last month. All had good things to say about it. I really enjoyed this despite not being into Renaissance Fairs.

PS 2020 48/50
PS Summer 20/20
PS Fall 4/10
PS 2016 36/40
goodreads 170/200

Currently Reading:
Heart Berries: A Memoir

QOTW:
My house was filled with books when I was growing up, but I wasn't a reader. My mom really wanted me to become one and took me to library regularly where I proceeded to enjoy running around. The loads of Nancy Drew books and Reader's Digests in the basement were excellent for making forts. I never read them. My grandmother had a library in her house that my sister would have lived in but I ignored it. Anyway things changed as I got older and discovered Fantasy. Thanks Harry Potter and Twilight.

[Ashley Marie]

Erica wrote: "Happy Friday! Stressful week for me worrying about my grandma and a covid scare at her care home occuring right when we're visiting for her birthday. Fortunately it wasn't covid. No idea how thanks..."

I loved the Old Guard graphic novel as well! Looking forward to grabbing volume two and rewatching the film :) I can't get over how phenomenal that cast is.

[L Y N N]

Theresa wrote: "Currently reading:
Murder in the White House by Margaret Truman - seemed appropriate."

Glad I'm not at work today. I could go ahead and laugh out loud at this. I can only assume you meant it in the way I interpreted it. Reminding me--my husband and I both voted in person today! Done! :) EVERYONE GO VOTE! If podunk Clinton County Indiana offers in-person early voting October 6-November 2, surely everywhere else in the US does as well! We had to go during the workday hours, but that's okay. No mail-in ballot with someone evaluating whether it is the same signature or not. No question. Done. Makes me feel a bit calmer since I know I have at least done my part.

[Nadine in NY]

Lynn wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Currently reading:
Murder in the White House by Margaret Truman - seemed appropriate."

Glad I'm not at work today. I could go ahead and laugh out loud at this. I can only assume yo..."



No, early voting doesn't start until the 24th in NY. We only get one week of early voting. And this is a new feature, we just got it a few years ago, I think we had it for the last election but I didn't take advantage, so this will be my first time voting early.

[Jennifer W]

Because I live in the boonies, I can vote early in a couple of weeks, but I would have to drive half an hour to do it. My regular polling place is a 10 minute drive, and that bugs me (I live just over a town line, there's a polling place 1 mile from my house, but in the wrong town... whomp whomp). That said, I can't wait to exercise my constitutional right to vote, it can't come soon enough!!

[Nadine in NY]

Jennifer W wrote: "Because I live in the boonies, I can vote early in a couple of weeks, but I would have to drive half an hour to do it. My regular polling place is a 10 minute drive, and that bugs me (I live just o..."



yeah we only have six early polling places in Onondaga County, but I'm lucky that one of them isn't much farther from my home than my regular polling place. I'm going to give it a try on the 24th - worst case, it's crowded, and I come back another day!

[Theresa]

Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Currently reading:
Murder in the White House by Margaret Truman - seemed appropriate."

Glad I'm not at work today. I could go ahead and laugh out loud at this. I can o..."

Yup I too am in NYC. I made the decision that I am not letting my ballot become a political football, although I truly don't see any problems in NY. I also don't want to wait until Nov. 3 when it will be crowded and there will be lines. I've got it all planned - mask, gloves, snack, beverage, reading material and chair. I'm expecting a line but if I'm that prepared, I'll stroll right and I'll leave my metal folding chair as a donation to the cause.

Fortunately early voting is a solid week including weekends.

And I suspect I will feel a lot better once it's done.

And yes, you probably are thinking the correct reason why it 'seems appropriate'.

[Theresa]

Nadine wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Because I live in the boonies, I can vote early in a couple of weeks, but I would have to drive half an hour to do it. My regular polling place is a 10 minute drive, and that bug..."

My early polling locale in Manhattan is the same place that I vote -- well actually the new place I will be voting. See, the old polling place was inside a local nursing home....and 2 days before the June primaries this year, they delivered notices of the move to a high school a few blocks away. I'd already voted absentee (also new to NY -- allowing absentee without any specific limited reason other than pandemic) because I was not going into a nursing home to vote during a pandemic! Could not figure out why they were taking so long to move it given the number of schools in the area and all closed.

[Teri]

Cornerofmadness wrote: "alphahole man"

This is now my new favorite insult.

[poshpenny]

Lynn wrote: "If podunk Clinton County Indiana offers in-person early voting October 6-November 2, surely everywhere else in the US does as well! We had to go during the workday hours, but that's okay. No mail-in ballot with someone evaluating whether it is the same signature or not."

Not here. We don't vote in-person anyway, the whole state votes by mail. It's awesome. I just checked the website. I'm registered, active, my address is correct and I know the date my ballot will be mailed. I can then mail it back or find a drop box.

Multiple people trained by forensic handwriting experts check the signature. If there is a question if mine matches, or I forgot to sign it, I will be contacted by an elections official and have two weeks to go in to fix it. I don't have to assume silence means it was accepted, I can check the website to make sure my ballot was counted.

I love it so hard.

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "No, early voting doesn't start until the 24th in NY. We only get one week of early voting. And this is a new feature, we just got it a few years ago, I think we had it for the last election but I didn't take advantage, so this will be my first time voting early."

That is unbelievable to me! So little time and yet so much population! YIKES! I can kinda understand how there are many people who end up not voting since it is not made to be easy! One of our faculty was telling me that his country the voting is all done electronically. You log in. You vote. Done. I don't know how they keep it all secure...

[L Y N N]

Theresa wrote: "I brought lots of books home for my sisters and public library visits became weekly events for them once I had my license to drive. When I went away to college, I would bring boxes of books home on holidays and over the summer...I took a lot of literature courses. The day my father picked up Finnegans Wake by James Joyce and tried to read it...well, he only cursed like that at the cows when he was milking still! He thought it total garbage, unreadable, and was even more outraged when I handed him the book that was a guide on how to read it!

Actually, I was just relieved he had not checked deeper in the box and discovered my copy of Justine, Philosophy in the Bedroom, and Other Writings. Or the Samuel Beckett. I was more careful after that what books were in the top layer..."

That is a priceless story about your father! :) And, I grew up on a dairy farm as well! I loved those cows and especially the calves! When we bottle-fed (well, bucket-fed) calves, they were in a small field just behind our house, so I got to know all the calves extremely well! I remember the one albino bull that was born. Tony. Yes, I named all the calves and most of the cows. Tony was so cool! He gave me the best rides as a calf! But...it wasn't long after he was grown that my grandmother had to sell him. He broke through the WALL of our barn 3 times! (Note: He didn't just break out through a gate, but through the wall!) Poor grandmother was such a softie when it came to me, that she was doing her best to try to keep him, but he proved to be too wild for his own good. I understood but I do remember crying...

[L Y N N]

Rebecca wrote: "I now have five prompts left to finish the challenge. I have just bought books to cover two of these, and I have ideas for the remaining three. I may actually finish the challenge this year!"

Good for you! You know, whether we complete challenges or not, hopefully, we all have fun with the books we read! Especially with regard to the communities of readers created by those challenges and our interactions with others! I, for one, am so grateful for these "groups"! :)

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Kendra wrote: "While there, one of the librarians let it slip that the library allowed you to check out up to 20 books at a time, instead of the 2 book limit my Mom had told me. ..."


LOL why do parents put limits like that on library books?"

I rather assume those are the people who don't want "clutter" and also don't want to have to track more books than a minimal amount.

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Theresa wrote: "... Brief History of Time - I have been reading this since MARCH! It's official: that high school C- in physics was no mistake. ..."

LOL okay, so I loved physics and I've got a Masters Degree in Thermosciences, and I found that book incredibly confusing. It was not accessible or interesting AT ALL and I'm mystified by its popularity. He was all "the event P at the P horizon is the eventuality of P or the elsewhere of P ..." and, like, dude, what is that? why do I care about P?

A MUCH better general "science and the universe" book is Sagan's Cosmos. Forget Hawking. Maybe he's a genius but he's no good as a pop-sci writer."

Well, we certainly have "high school science nerdism" in common, Nadine! I loved all science and completed all the sciences courses available to me in my rural midwestern school. Still loved it when I went to college, but didn't continue at that time to complete a degree for many reasons...one being my mother's breakdown...but I still love science and perhaps that's one reason my administrative career in higher education has been in science departments. :)

I'm so glad for this posting. I will definitely make it a priority to obtain a copy of Cosmos. Thanks for the information, you two! :)

[Nadine in NY]

Lynn wrote: "That is unbelievable to me! So little time and yet so much population! YIKES! I can kinda understand how there are many people who end up not voting since it is not made to be easy! ..."


But we have A LOT of polling places in NY. I don't know about in NYC, but up here, my polling place is on my way to work (haha back when I used to drive to work), hours from 6 am to 9 pm, I stop in on my way to work and never wait more than five minutes to vote.


I think in many areas (not in NY) they've been removing polling places, resulting in insane waits. It ought to be illegal to do that.

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Teri wrote: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - 3 stars; PS #6 (bildungsroman)/ATY #17 (neurodiverse character)
I'm still not quite sure what I think about this. The storyline and main character was interesting enough, and I liked the epistolary format. But my high school experience was so different than the ones often portrayed of constant drinking, drugs, smoking, and sex that I don't really relate. Plus I'm old now. ..."

I suspect that NO ONE'S high school experience is like that book. My high school experience was not like that in the 80s, and my kids' high school experience is not like that now. He wrote a fantasy high school experience, and I am afraid that teens everywhere are reading it and thinking "wow everyone else is having so much fun like Charlie and my life is so boring.""

I would agree that probably none of us who participate in this group had a similar high school experience to what you have described as presented in this book. I've never read this book but now I doubt I will. It sounds much like James Franco's short story collection Palo Alto which I totally panned and didn't even award one star! I do agree that perhaps my age had something to do with my intolerance...

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Sheri wrote: "I'm guessing parents put limits because a) they know they're going to have to carry them home and b) They don't want to have to keep track of that many books and deal with resulting f...

yes, it's true. I try to keep the kids library books all in one place, but that's not always possible ... I've paid for a number of books that we found much later. I now own The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet. None of us have read it. It just sits there, judging me for losing it."

OMG! That is hysterical, Nadine! Congratulations on your purchase! LOL I can remember that at my urging my sons created a "special box" for library books that we kept in the living room. That didn't mean we weren't hunting for one or two at the last minute before going to the library, but it did help I think... :)

[L Y N N]

Sheri wrote: "Luckily since it was a school library and I still went there, I took it back and the librarian refunded me my money once I found it, haha. I think the money I paid was still actually clipped inside a file, i'm guessing i'm not the first to have to pay for a book and then find it."

Awww...that was so kind of her! And I'm certain you are NOT the first...nor will you be the last! lol

[L Y N N]

Katy wrote: "Sheri wrote: "I'm guessing parents put limits because a) they know they're going to have to carry them home and b) They don't want to have to keep track of that many books and deal with resulting f...

In sixth grade the reading teacher had a table full of books that you could sign out for the night. You were supposed to bring them back every morning. One day I forgot mine. However, she had two copies of the same book and someone had removed it from the table, not signed it out, and left it there. She came up to me and asked about the book. I said I was sorry but that I had left it at home. She informed me that I had left it there, proceeded to yell at me for not taking it home when I had signed it out and signed it back in. When I got home, thinking I was crazy, I looked and there was the book. Not knowing what else to do, I kept it. I probably should have snuck it back somehow, but that teacher was always yelling at me and I just didn't want to get in trouble again."

Ugh. There's somebody who should have never gone into the teaching profession, IMHO! What a mean person! :(

[L Y N N]

Sheri wrote: "Katy, that's frustrating. I get trying to instill responsibility into kids, but making them afraid is hardly the way to go about it. Still are kids, even adults make mistakes."

Exactly!

[L Y N N]

Ellie wrote: "When I was at secondary school there was loads of underage drinking and smoking and I do remember being at a party and someone having weed. This was rural Scotland in the 90s, so I ended up thinking squeaky clean YA is unrealistic"

I'm sure there are high school students who do have those experiences... However, my bet is that most of them did not end up as adults who are avid readers. :)

[L Y N N]

Débora wrote: "I am currently reading The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side. I love Agatha Christie, but I readed more Poirot books than any other detectives from her. Time to read a Miss Marple mystery."

It has been years since I've read a Miss Marple mystery, but I love them!

"Then, my dad became a librarian for the law part of a company (that library wasn't fun, obvious), but he incentived his daughters to read books from libraries, because buying then was out of question. By that age, we had some non fiction books in the house, I think for my dad studies, but most books that would be interest for a kid was only available on the local library or were borrowed from other parents at my dad's job (this was the way we read most of Harry Potter books). I never leaved the habit of going to library to have new books to read and I think this is the best way to discover books without the fear of disliking and end up spending money with something you did not enjoy. I can't wait to the libraries to re-open here, I want new books to read (yes, to this time the libraries are still closed)"

I had to laugh at the fact that your Dad's law library books were no fun--obviously! LOL How wonderful that you father did encourage your reading, and I am so sorry the libraries are still closed where you are. Ugh. :( I sure hope they reopen soon!

[L Y N N]

Sherry wrote: "At the age of 8 I could ride to the local public library and I quickly figured out that if I told the librarian that the books I were taking out were for my Mom they would let me take out books from the adult section (as long as I slipped in a couple of kids books) so I pretty much skipped over the babysitters club and went straight to Stephen king and Dean Kootz, giving myself many nightmares and a very active imagination even to this day."

Oh, my gosh! What a sneak! And yet, I don't blame you a bit. Though I wouldn't have gone to those specific authors I admire your spunk as an 8-year-old to figure out how to "work the system" to your advantage! Thank you for sharing!

[L Y N N]

Sherry wrote: "Sherri wrote: QOTW: I do have to say something funny about my mom reading. My mom is pretty much blind from macular degeneration. She can read on the iPad because of the lighting & large print. Mom...

Funny story about My Grandmother who was quite the reader also suffered from macular degeneration and loved westerns, she was getting alot of audio books from her local library, One day she went in to pick up her selection of books and ended up grabbing the wrong pile due to her bad eye sight and all the books were "very dirty" as she put it. She told me she quickly returned them back to library but not before she listened to them all, (she quietly whispered to me) I love my grandmother and miss so much."

Oh, Sherry, what a cute memory of someone so precious to you! My grandmother was my rock and although I've been without her in my life for almost 35 years I still tear up periodically (as I'm doing right now typing this out) with my grief at her absence in my life...though I can't imagine her listening to those, perhaps she would have!

[L Y N N]

Mary wrote: "I just wanted to pop in to answer the QOTW, because I love it so much.

I had access to TONS of books in my home and in my grandparents house. No one else in my immediate family reads, but as soon as I showed an interest in books, my parents flooded the house with books and took me to the library whenever I wanted to go. I got a monthly stipend for Scholastic book orders, could buy basically an unlimited number at yard sales and thrift stores (within reason) and my Christmas list was always full of books. Conversely, my grandmother loved to read and read to all the grandkids at every visit, mostly ghost stories, which I loved. When she we into a nursing home, she gave me all of her books and all the books I loved from childhood that she had. My other grandfather bought me a collection of the 100 greatest books ever written in faux leather (He only bought 75 before he died), so basically my passion from reading has been encouraged and provided for as long as I can remember, and I learned to read by age 4, because of it."

How neat! And I am so jealous! Not only did you have a grandfather in your life but he bought books for you! How special!

[L Y N N]

Theresa wrote: "Nadine wrote: "The Marquis de Sade really had a resurgence in the 80s, didn't he? Why was that? I had his book, too, (plus Henry Miller, Anais Nin, all that risque lit).

As for Sade and the Philosophy of the Bedroom political tract hidden inside porn, I always wondered if he did that in part to make sure it was widely read."

OMG! Genius! ;)

[Heather]

Lynn wrote: "If podunk Clinton County Indiana offers in-person early voting October 6-November 2, surely everywhere else in the US does as well! "

I'm originally from Miami County, Indiana. My mom lives in Howard County now. We were neighbors!

Now I live in Pennsylvania where there is no early voting. My theory is that they don't want the swing state to swing too soon. They also can't start counting returned mail-in ballots until the polls open Nov. 3rd.

[L Y N N]

Erica wrote: "Happy Friday! Stressful week for me worrying about my grandma and a covid scare at her care home occuring right when we're visiting for her birthday. Fortunately it wasn't covid. No idea how thanks..."

I am grateful that it wasn't COVID-19, though still scary! I hope this weekend proceeds well for all of you!

"My mom really wanted me to become one and took me to library regularly where I proceeded to enjoy running around. The loads of Nancy Drew books and Reader's Digests in the basement were excellent for making forts. I never read them. My grandmother had a library in her house that my sister would have lived in but I ignored it. Anyway things changed as I got older and discovered Fantasy. Thanks Harry Potter and Twilight."

Aha! So you have been converted! How cool! :)

[Sherry]

Lynn wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Teri wrote: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I would agree that probably none of us who participate in this group had a similar high school experience to what you have described as presented in this book.

I very much had this type of high school experience and loved every minute of it. When I was there, of course, skipping was my main activity and I still kept a 75% average on advanced courses. Imagine what I could have done if I actually attended not stoned out of my mind.

Was actually told by my grade 12 math teacher about halfway through the semester that if I missed one more class I would be kicked out. About three weeks later I was going with my parents to a wedding and I was going to miss the Monday and I was super stressed out about it. But I got lucky as that Monday was the day that one of the other students decided to run up and down the hallways with gasoline and proceed to set the school on fire. Let me off the hook. Thank you Wendy's boyfriend (I don't remember his name)

[L Y N N]

Jennifer W wrote: "Because I live in the boonies, I can vote early in a couple of weeks, but I would have to drive half an hour to do it. My regular polling place is a 10 minute drive, and that bugs me (I live just o..."

Ha! Ha! This reminds me so much of a former coworker (and now best friend) of mine. One day I was giving directions to a student and she interrupted, saying, "But that is clear across town! There's one on this side of the river." After the students left I just started laughing. "Clear across town" was 2-3 miles at most. She lived just off campus and had all of 2 miles or so at most to drive to work. I lived 35 miles away, so for me 2-3 miles was a negligible drive, but to her it was HUGE! ;) It all depends upon perspective and our routines. Our voting yesterday required an additional 20-minute drive to get to the county seat and courthouse on our way home, but we live 20 minutes from any "town" with any stores, etc., so that was negligible for me. Plus my commute to work is 40 miles... Anyway, wherever you must go to do it, glad to know you are determined to act upon your right as a US citizen! ;)

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Because I live in the boonies, I can vote early in a couple of weeks, but I would have to drive half an hour to do it. My regular polling place is a 10 minute drive, and that bug...

yeah we only have six early polling places in Onondaga County, but I'm lucky that one of them isn't much farther from my home than my regular polling place. I'm going to give it a try on the 24th - worst case, it's crowded, and I come back another day!"

I admit I was shocked when I realized there were 5 people ahead of us in line. And this place where I live... I get so frustrated. There was a sign on the courthouse door about requiring masks, but the police officer who was seated in the entryway helping direct people to the room for voting had his mask in the "nose hammock" position and I was SOOOOO tempted to say something to him, but I knew better than to do so. Then the room setup with voting machines had no one at least 6 feet apart. More like 3-4 feet. They were masked and they were being careful about cleaning the machines thoroughly, etc., but I was just shaking my head... My only thought was that at least I wasn't waiting amidst 10's or 100's of people, so we were a bit safer. THEN as we're leaving Mr. "Nose Hammock" masking cop had literally pulled the whole mask clear down onto his chin! I was so angry that I just started mumbling under my breath and walked as fast as I could out the door. These people... :( I keep telling myself most everyone else was masked appropriately, etc. It was only this one person, but he should be a good role model for following the law/guidelines for everyone's safety...but then I remembered the White House staff/POTUS/FLOTUS and figure I probably know which political party he's supporting right now! lol

[L Y N N]

Theresa wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Currently reading:
Murder in the White House by Margaret Truman - seemed appropriate."

Glad I'm not at work today. I could go ahead and laugh out loud a..."

Glad to know you are well-prepared for a possible wait in line! Good luck!!

[L Y N N]

Theresa wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Because I live in the boonies, I can vote early in a couple of weeks, but I would have to drive half an hour to do it. My regular polling place is a 10 minute driv..."

There is a similar situation with one of my best friend's polling place. She lives in a subsidized apartment complex where they provide some oversight to the residents though it is not "assisted living," per se. Their complex was a polling site in the past, but it has been moved to another location. I am trying to help them obtain and process absentee ballots. There are 400 people there! That's a lot of votes!

[L Y N N]

Teri wrote: "Cornerofmadness wrote: "alphahole man"

This is now my new favorite insult."

Ha! Ha! I missed that! :)

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "That is unbelievable to me! So little time and yet so much population! YIKES! I can kinda understand how there are many people who end up not voting since it is not made to be easy! .....

But we have A LOT of polling places in NY. I don't know about in NYC, but up here, my polling place is on my way to work (haha back when I used to drive to work), hours from 6 am to 9 pm, I stop in on my way to work and never wait more than five minutes to vote.

I think in many areas (not in NY) they've been removing polling places, resulting in insane waits. It ought to be illegal to do that."

That is wonderful! I've been known to wait 15-20 minutes in my little podunk town! That's so good!

And...I remember reading that polling places had been removed in Louisville, KY to the point that they really only had one convenient location left. I don't remember who published that. I just hope it isn't true! Voter suppression should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. At least Stacey Abrams' organization Fair Fight is doing all it can to fight for everyone's right to vote. I admire her so much. She took an outcome that to many would discourage them enough to resume a private life and forego trying to have a public life and turned it into a pragmatic fight to enable all US citizens to enact their constitutional right to vote.

[L Y N N]

Heather wrote: "Lynn wrote: "If podunk Clinton County Indiana offers in-person early voting October 6-November 2, surely everywhere else in the US does as well! "

I'm originally from Miami County, Indiana. My mom lives in Howard County now. We were neighbors!"

I have lived in Clinton County with my husband for 20 years. However, I was raised in Rush County...though our farm was just across the line from Henry County. (One mile south of 40.) I spent my first four years of life in Indianapolis, Indiana, located in Marion County. Since then I have lived in Rush County, White County, Benton County, and Tippecanoe County. I may never end up living anywhere outside Indiana. But that is not due to my lack of desire to do so! :)

"Now I live in Pennsylvania where there is no early voting. My theory is that they don't want the swing state to swing too soon. They also can't start counting returned mail-in ballots until the polls open Nov. 3rd."

Wow. That kinda sucks. I bet you're right about a "swing state," etc. And not counting mail-in ballots before election day just makes no sense to me.

[L Y N N]

Sherry wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Teri wrote: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I would agree that probably none of us who participate in this group had a similar high school experien...

I very much had this type of high school experience and loved every minute of it. When I was there, of course, skipping was my main activity and I still kept a 75% average on advanced courses. Imagine what I could have done if I actually attended not stoned out of my mind.

Was actually told by my grade 12 math teacher about halfway through the semester that if I missed one more class I would be kicked out. About three weeks later I was going with my parents to a wedding and I was going to miss the Monday and I was super stressed out about it. But I got lucky as that Monday was the day that one of the other students decided to run up and down the hallways with gasoline and proceed to set the school on fire. Let me off the hook. Thank you Wendy's boyfriend (I don't remember his name)"

And see, that's what I get for assuming! (You know what they say about that! :)) I would guess you may have a photographic memory to be able to perform so well in school while "under the influence"!

I cannot imagine a high school student doing that! I assume they sent everyone home in the aftermath and closed school for that day? I'm glad you were not expelled for the absences. Sounds as if it was close, though.

[L Y N N]

poshpenny wrote: "Not here. We don't vote in-person anyway, the whole state votes by mail. It's awesome. I just checked the website. I'm registered, active, my address is correct and I know the date my ballot will be mailed. I can then mail it back or find a drop box.

Multiple people trained by forensic handwriting experts check the signature. If there is a question if mine matches, or I forgot to sign it, I will be contacted by an elections official and have two weeks to go in to fix it. I don't have to assume silence means it was accepted, I can check the website to make sure my ballot was counted.

I love it so hard."

OMG! That is sooooo awesome!

[Sherry]

Lynn wrote: "Sherry wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Teri wrote: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky


I cannot imagine a high school student doing that! I assume they sent everyone home in the aftermath and closed school for that day? I'm glad you were not expelled for the absences. Sounds as if it was close, though.

He did such a good job the school closed for the rest of the year and we had to finish schooling at the high school in the town closest to us (they went to school in the morning. we went in the afternoon) Little different for my graduating year. I was happy cause the teachers had so much going on they didn't really keep many tabs on little old me.

[Nadine in NY]

Lynn wrote: "THEN as we're leaving Mr. "Nose Hammock" masking cop had literally pulled the whole mask clear down onto his chin! I was so angry that I just started mumbling under my breath and walked as fast as I could out the door...."


Over the last two weeks, I've been to the pediatrician's office twice, for physicals for each kid, and BOTH TIMES, I saw the main doctor - who owns the practice - with his mask pulled down to his chin. (I mean, I saw him down the hall - he was not the doctor who we saw for the physical, or I would have said something to him.) URGHHHHGDSFHSDFS!!! Talk about a bad role model! And he was talking to other employees each time. And what can they do, he owns the place, they can't tell him to pull his mask up or they might lose their jobs! The first time, I whispered to my daughter & the nurse "Dr D--- isn't wearing his mask!" and the way the nurse sort of chuckle-huffed but didn't reply, I could tell she knew, he did it a lot, and she felt she couldn't say anything.

[Cendaquenta]

Right, gonna do my quick (late) update then read the rest of the thread, 'cause if I try to read it all first I'll end up waiting till next week again.

Finished:

The Haunting of Hill House - Enjoyed this but didn't find it scary per se. Shirley Jackson's great.

Sharp Objects - Well that was... disturbing. I enjoyed the writing though, even though the situations were messed-up Gillian Flynn was excellent at creating and describing them, and obfusticating just enough that I was thrown off the trail of what was really going on. I'll probably try some more of her books.

The Family Upstairs - Interesting + solid thriller but didn't quite live up to my expectations. I bought it because one of my absolute favourite Booktubers has been raving about it, rated it 5 stars, and it wasn't that for me. Definitely a pageturner though.

Currently reading Dread Nation. Not far into it but it's keeping my attention.

QOTW:
ohohohoho.
Honestly, I was such a supremely lucky kid as far as books go. I had more than any kid I knew, and there was a public library directly across the street. Can't praise my mum highly enough for encouraging my reading, she loved buying books for me and put effort into making sure I had the opportunity to read about diverse characters and cultures. I remember when I was little she'd keep a stash of picture books in the airing cupboard, so she could surprise me with them whenever I didn't know what to read. I was signed up to the Disney Book Club, I loved those books and demanded to be read 5 of them a night.
Oh and there were mail-order book catalogues, book fairs at school... and that was all before we got internet access...
I had older cousins, too, so I got their books handed down to me when they grew out of them. That may have been how I was introduced to Babysitters' Club and Sweet Valley High.

I think I've mentioned this before - for a good while as a kid, I pretended to be scared of the dark. I'd plead for the hall light to be left on as a nightlight. Of course, the whole thing was entirely a ploy so that I had light to read by when I should have been asleep.
Don't do that, kids, you'll end up legally blind.

There also weren't many limits placed on what I could read - Mum never really "vetted" what I picked up. I did come across a few inappropriate things but I'd say the sense of freedom was worth those missteps.
(Besides, the most disturbing things I ever read as a child were in fanfic, not books. 😄)

Plus, I had a disrupted education due to, basically, autism and the mainstream system being crap about it, so I had to school myself with nonfiction. ... This is why I've practically memorized a bunch of David Attenborough documentaries but can barely do maths.

[L Y N N]

Nadine wrote: "Talk about a bad role model! And he was talking to other employees each time. And what can they do, he owns the place, they can't tell him to pull his mask up or they might lose their jobs! The first time, I whispered to my daughter & the nurse "Dr D--- isn't wearing his mask!" and the way the nurse sort of chuckle-huffed but didn't reply, I could tell she knew, he did it a lot, and she felt she couldn't say anything."

Not only is that sad, but it is so dangerous! What if one of his patients decides he doesn't need to wear a mask either, contracts COVID-19, and dies? IDK. I just want us all to be safe.

[Johanne]

The hall light thing is awesome Cendaquenta! I just read with a flashlight under my covers, when I was told to go to sleep :)

[L Y N N]

Cendaquenta wrote: "QOTW:
ohohohoho.
Honestly, I was such a supremely lucky kid as far as books go. I had more than any kid I knew, and there was a public library directly across the street. Can't praise my mum highly enough for encouraging my reading, she loved buying books for me and put effort into making sure I had the opportunity to read about diverse characters and cultures. I remember when I was little she'd keep a stash of picture books in the airing cupboard, so she could surprise me with them whenever I didn't know what to read. I was signed up to the Disney Book Club, I loved those books and demanded to be read 5 of them a night.
Oh and there were mail-order book catalogues, book fairs at school... and that was all before we got internet access...
I had older cousins, too, so I got their books handed down to me when they grew out of them. That may have been how I was introduced to Babysitters' Club and Sweet Valley High.

I think I've mentioned this before - for a good while as a kid, I pretended to be scared of the dark. I'd plead for the hall light to be left on as a nightlight. Of course, the whole thing was entirely a ploy so that I had light to read by when I should have been asleep.
Don't do that, kids, you'll end up legally blind.

There also weren't many limits placed on what I could read - Mum never really "vetted" what I picked up. I did come across a few inappropriate things but I'd say the sense of freedom was worth those missteps.
(Besides, the most disturbing things I ever read as a child were in fanfic, not books. 😄)

Plus, I had a disrupted education due to, basically, autism and the mainstream system being crap about it, so I had to school myself with nonfiction. ... This is why I've practically memorized a bunch of David Attenborough documentaries but can barely do maths."

Sounds as if in some ways you had the best of opportunities but then limited opportunities due to the public school system in which you lived. I am sorry for the latter experiences. But it sounds as if your mother was brilliant! If I had to choose I would choose the excellent parent over a school system. I hope books and reading have helped you cope with life as it has for me in many ways... I've watched one of my best friend's daughters raise her 3 children, 2 of whom are "on the spectrum." (I rather dislike that term...) She is without doubt the absolute BEST parent I have ever known or met. She has managed through all types of marital discord (a now ex-husband suffering from PTSD and who knows what all else who disliked taking medication and therefore rarely did...) including fearing for her and her children's lives, to raise these three children to overcome their challenges and most obstacles presented to them. She worked with them constantly. I simply stand in amazement of her. Her efforts. Her realizations. Her coping skills. Her teaching skills. She is unbelievably successful as a parent where I can only imagine most of us would fail...

[Theresa]

Lynn wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I brought lots of books home for my sisters and public library visits became weekly events for them once I had my license to drive. When I went away to college, I would bring boxes ..."

We never had a bull but the neighbors did and it was unruly to say the least. We were warned as kids to never go near the firpelds abutting ours where he ruled. All bull calves were sold PDQ.

We never named the cows or calves or chickens. Maybe if we raised a pig or lamb for 4-H, but when time right all were auctioned, including the pig my sister raised she named Petunia but we dubbed Priscilla because it irritated her so much. Cats and dogs were the only beneficiaries of names on our farm.

[Theresa]

Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "That is unbelievable to me! So little time and yet so much population! YIKES! I can kinda understand how there are many people who end up not voting since it is not made to be easy! ....."

Depends where you are in NYC. Seems fewer open for early polling in borrows than in Manhatran. Of course, Manhattan has the densest population. A client lives in Astoria and the nearest early polling place is a 30 minute walk away. She is mailing in her absentee ballot this week. However, don't really expect problems in NY.

[K.L.]

Good afternoon, everyone! It’s been a pretty quiet week, which is just how I like it.

I really enjoy the month of October. It’s a great time to read horror novels (and watch spooky movies), and the weather so far has been lovely! It’s been really nice to be able to turn off the air conditioner this week, and spend time curled up on the couch with a blanket and a book.

I decided that instead of participating in Inktober this year, which is how I would normally be spending the month, I am going to create a new bookmark every day throughout the month of October. I’m calling it the “31 Days of Bookmarks” challenge. I’ve already completed 9 bookmarks this month, and I’ll be working on my 10th as soon as I finish posting this. If you’re interested in seeing my completed projects, I’ve been posting them on my Twitter account: https://twitter.com/UnapologBkworm. I’ve been having a lot of fun so far!

POPSUGAR: 50/50
Goodreads: 186/150 — I definitely need to set a higher goal next year.

Finished Reading:
N/A — I actually spent more time writing than reading this week.

Currently Reading:
The Holmes-Dracula File

QOTW:
I grew up in a family of readers, so there were tons of books in my house when I was growing up.

Even though we had quite a few books at home, and often went to the bookstore for family outings, we also loved going to the library. Funny story…the first time my mum took me to the library after we moved into our new home, I checked out so many books that the librarian informed us that we were “going to be good for circulation.” And we definitely were!

[Ali]

It's interesting for me to understand the early voting thing. I'm in the UK and we have no such thing. Everyone votes on the one day - almost always a Thursday. The main thing we do have though is regulations that mean there must be a polling station for every x people so it's not up to politicians how many polling stations to have or really where they should be. They obviously have discretion on what building specifically but I've never not been able to easily walk to my polling station.

The only real queues tend to be just before they close at 10pm and quite a few people sometimes turn up at like 3 minutes to. The rule is that the station must stay open for anyone in the queue by 10 though.

Hopefully you can all get something workable. I certainly wouldn't want to freeze outside for hours in November!!