Sword of Truth

One of the first books I purchased for my Kindle was Wizard's First Rule, Book 1 of the Sword of Truth series.  I have had this on my reading list for a long time.  I first discovered this series while reading the Wheel of Time. Many of the reading & literature bulletin boards indicated similarities between these two series, and  I hesitated to begin another epic fantasy series while the other one was unfinished.   I became more interested during the TV series Legend of the Seeker which ran 2 seasons from 2008-2010.  Legend of the Seeker was loosely based on the Sword of Truth.  I loved the show, but had not yet read any of the books other than a short prequel called Debt of Bones.  So this week, I got into Book 1 & could not put it down. 

Multiply is closing, no export feature

I started posting a blog on Yahoo 360 in 2006.  When that closed, I exported the posts to Multiply.com.  They are closing their social network feature including the blog, as of December 2012, and there is no export feature.  Blogger appears to be the most stable blog, so I will be using it for posting my future random thoughts. 

Amazon Prime

I got 1 year free Amazon Prime when I signed up for Amazon student. I really appreciated free 2-day shipping, especially at Christmas time  When it came time to renew Prime, I was offered 1/2 price.  This year, I kept getting a notice that I needed to update the card, but no mention of whether the renewal was still 1/2 price.  I did a little searching, and the Amazon student membership is good for 4 years, after which I will have to pay full price for Prime.  I have discovered many benefits to having a Prime membership. I use the Kindle lending library, and now I found free Instant video.  

Online calendars

I have a calendar in Outlook, one on Yahoo, one on Google & one on Windows Live.  They are not coordinated in any way; I have the birthday list on Yahoo, & a daily prayer set up on Google; not sure what I have on Windows Live, and nothing set up on Outlook.    I send reminders to myself, but I never set up sharing.  I recently started using the Cozi Home Calendar. I added some events today & downloaded the iPhone app. I like it, but I am only using it for a personal calendar. 

Kindle edition vs paperback/hard copy

I bought a used 2nd generation Kindle, and I really like it.  Especially now that I actually have time to read.  One thing bothers me about Kindle e-books (don't know if this is true for Nook or other formats but it probably is).  Why do so many Kindle books cost as much or more than the paperback?  Some titles are available for borrowing if you have Amazon Prime, and there are many books available for $2.99 or less, and some are available for free. But many titles I have searched for cost as much or more than the paperback edition.  OK, I understand that with a Kindle edition, I have a copy that does not take up space in my bookshelf or wear out, but I can't lend it to anyone. I used to share my paperbacks & book club editions with my father or my sisters.  If the Kindle edition is more than $2.99, I prefer to get it from the library and return it when I am done.  Supposedly, my library offers e-books including Kindle versions, but the wait list is very long, and it seems like I can get the paperback or hardback copy much faster.  I asked the librarian about this and he told me it was a statewide wait list, and it moves faster than I thought, so I will try requesting a Kindle book.

Watching entirely too much TV

With Netflix & online episodes, I can pretty much watch TV whenever I want.  I had a DVR for a while, but I did not use it enough to justify the extra expense through the cable co.  I have a TV tuner card installed on one computer, but it is an older card & it does not have a remote &  does not work with Windows Media Center.  When I get a newer TV card, I will turn that TV into a DVR.

Weighing in on Occupy Wall Street: 60s wannabes or what is the message?

I firmly support the right to freedom of assembly.  The OWS supporters have just as much right to be heard as the Tea Party.  I don't have to agree with the message of either. but they do have the right to assemble.  Having said that, I do not agree that they (OWS protesters) have the right to camp out in areas where camping is not allowed, and for which they have not paid a user fee.  In Baltimore, the mayor has tread very carefully. She did cut off their access to electricity (occupy campers were plugging in heaters & coffee pots to the outlets on the light poles). I drive by the tents every morning, & they are an eyesore.  A legitimate charitable group that paid their fee was denied access because the Occupy group refused to move.  There has been at least one incident of sexual assault & drugs/paraphernalia found among the tents.  Still, there have been very few arrests here, and the protests have remained peaceful.   They conducted a positive march & demonstration at the Howard St. Bridge this past week.  But I don't really get their message. I understand the 1% vs 99% part, but the protesters offer no solutions. Neither the solutions of the 40s (jobs through public works) nor the solutions of the 60s (end the war) seem to apply to the current situation. Do they want socialism?  Do they want corporations abolished?  To pay higher taxes? To be regulated? To limit profits? To abolish bonuses for CEOs? I agree that these individuals (OWS protesters) need jobs, but who will hire them if there are no corporations?  Who will hire them when they have an arrest record (charges of loitering, trespassing, fail to obey, vagrancy or even assault - takes very little to be charged with assaulting police)?  Who will hire those who are unwilling to start at entry level and establish a work record worthy of promotion? At best, they are engaging in civil disobedience, which is a time-honored method of bringing about change.  At worst, they are a nuisance and an eyesore, with a negative effect on tourism & increased potential for crime.