9. The No Asshole Rule - Robert I. Sutton, PhD
The subtitle of this book is "Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't". Definitely it's one I wish I could give to my organization but that wouldn't think that it applied to them. I did get some good ideas on dealing, though.
How to handle the assholes I work with every day, how they affect the performance of others, how to try and keep the negativity in check, how to keep yourself from becoming one of them and why they have some good points.
Recommendation: Totally recommend it. Nonfiction goodness - 5 outta 5 stars or books or whatever.
Received: borrowed from library.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Books of 2010
8. Unseen Academicals - Terry Pratchett.
I love Pratchett's books and this one was as good as I expected. Only confusion I'm sure anyone will have is the U.S. vs. everyone else's idea of football. This was soccer, but more that soccer. It always seems that while there's humor and an obvious story, there's also an underlying truth about humankind floating thru the story too.
Anyway, awesomeness.
I love Pratchett's books and this one was as good as I expected. Only confusion I'm sure anyone will have is the U.S. vs. everyone else's idea of football. This was soccer, but more that soccer. It always seems that while there's humor and an obvious story, there's also an underlying truth about humankind floating thru the story too.
Anyway, awesomeness.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Contest Win - Old Faves
7. Stardoc - S. L. Viehl. I won a contest on her blog for a copy and since my originals are still packed away, I was really excited to see it show up in the mail Tuesday. And then I promptly stayed up until 4 in the morning reading it all over again.
Definitely recommending this to sci fi readers out there, Viehl writes a compelling character based story that grabs you and doesn't let go even after you've finished the last page. I have to go dig the rest of the series out of storage now.
PS - I read for fun, not profit and anything I put up here I've won, bought or checked out of the library. I don't get paid for saying I like or dislike something.
Definitely recommending this to sci fi readers out there, Viehl writes a compelling character based story that grabs you and doesn't let go even after you've finished the last page. I have to go dig the rest of the series out of storage now.
PS - I read for fun, not profit and anything I put up here I've won, bought or checked out of the library. I don't get paid for saying I like or dislike something.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Books
2. The Dragon Book - ed. by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois
I liked it. Lots of little short stories, some better than others. I liked Naomi Novik's short - it gave a little background story to her Temeraire world.
3. Leviathan - by Scott Westerfeld
I cannot wait to read the next one in the series. (Behemoth) Steampunk vs. Darwin science and it's fascinating. And I love the cover.
4, 5, and 6. These are by Megan Whalen Turner - The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia.
Got these as a recommend from the Book Smugglers and I am going to happily recommend to others. Fantastic storyline about a thief and what he's sent to steal and how that all works out. At least, that's the first book. :)
Nothing I didn't like in this batch, good books all around.
I liked it. Lots of little short stories, some better than others. I liked Naomi Novik's short - it gave a little background story to her Temeraire world.
3. Leviathan - by Scott Westerfeld
I cannot wait to read the next one in the series. (Behemoth) Steampunk vs. Darwin science and it's fascinating. And I love the cover.
4, 5, and 6. These are by Megan Whalen Turner - The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia.
Got these as a recommend from the Book Smugglers and I am going to happily recommend to others. Fantastic storyline about a thief and what he's sent to steal and how that all works out. At least, that's the first book. :)
Nothing I didn't like in this batch, good books all around.
Friday, January 15, 2010
First Book of the Year
"The Mermaid's Madness" - by Jim C. Hines. Strong female characters, interesting twists. I'd definitely recommend to others. I'm looking forward to the next one about Little Red Riding Hood.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Cold
It is very cold here. *Shake, shake, shiver* Brrrrr. Anyway, I'm trying to keep my hands warm typing. News in my world - went to visit the sisters, a concert and Powell's bookstore. Work is fantastically absurd. I'm still trying to find other jobs. Not that it's easy right now. I'm going to surf the net for job postings now. Wish me luck!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
And Again
Work - it is strange. Now we are all good and friends. People are schizo.
Fat princess is in the background right now and Wire In the Blood is also. It's a good game and a good series. I've got all the Halloween cards and candy for the family ready to mail. The hubs need to sign stuff but mom's got her bag ready to go....except I want to put something in for the stepdaddy but he doesn't like chocolate and I can't find any halloween stuff he would like.
Meh, if I mention him in the card maybe that will be enough. (Crosses fingers.)
Fat princess is in the background right now and Wire In the Blood is also. It's a good game and a good series. I've got all the Halloween cards and candy for the family ready to mail. The hubs need to sign stuff but mom's got her bag ready to go....except I want to put something in for the stepdaddy but he doesn't like chocolate and I can't find any halloween stuff he would like.
Meh, if I mention him in the card maybe that will be enough. (Crosses fingers.)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Ghost Hunters
Been watching all the Ghost Hunter episodes and Ghost Hunters International. Fascinating for the most part.
I've also been reading a lot. Since I don't really have anything else to do, or anyone to talk to, I've been doing space fillers. I'll post the books at a later date.
The season premiere of Criminal Minds was awesome and full of "eep" moments. And the new CSI was most excellent.
And the start of the new Amazing Race was tonight. Excellent.
I am so friggin' lonely.
I've also been reading a lot. Since I don't really have anything else to do, or anyone to talk to, I've been doing space fillers. I'll post the books at a later date.
The season premiere of Criminal Minds was awesome and full of "eep" moments. And the new CSI was most excellent.
And the start of the new Amazing Race was tonight. Excellent.
I am so friggin' lonely.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Whole Lotta Nothin'
Well, almost. I've picked up about 9 hours a month (I think.) We'll see if that pans out. So, I'll keep looking. I'm going to try to get over to Home Depot some time this week and see if I can pick up an application. If I can't get a paper app., I'll get online and fill out one there.
In other news, the cat has been out on his lead and has been (pretty much) behaving. I'd like him to be more comfortable but he hasn't reached that level yet. Oh, and I've been watching a ton of Ghost Hunters. It's been fun, even if I have to have the lights on.
Anyway, reading Lev Grossman's "The Magicians" and so far so good. AND IN EXCITING NEWS - my first Subterranean Press book that my man bought for me showed up. w00t!
In other news, the cat has been out on his lead and has been (pretty much) behaving. I'd like him to be more comfortable but he hasn't reached that level yet. Oh, and I've been watching a ton of Ghost Hunters. It's been fun, even if I have to have the lights on.
Anyway, reading Lev Grossman's "The Magicians" and so far so good. AND IN EXCITING NEWS - my first Subterranean Press book that my man bought for me showed up. w00t!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Books 30+
30. Lord of the Silent - Amelia Peabody series
31. The Golden One - Amelia Peabody series
32. He Shall Thunder In the Sky - Amelia Peabody series
33. Children Of The Storm - Amelia Peabody series. And I've got three more to get and I'm current. I like this series a lot. Good, strong characters both male and female. Good history, and not using the time period as a reason to be bigoted.
34. Digital Barbarism by Mark Helprin. I tried to read it. Multiple times. He's got important things to say and I caught several of his points but I'd have to say it was a pretty dry read.
35. Un Lun Dun by China Mieville. This I enjoyed quite a bit and it's going on my "recommend to others" list. To me, this had the same sort of flavor as some of Neil Gaiman's works but still something all it's own. I wish I had a rebrella.
36. The Shamer's Daughter by Lene Kaaberbol. I think this lost a little something in the translation. The story is solid, sound and rather boring. It isn't a long book but it took much longer than I expected to get through it.
So far, so good. The list is by no means everything I've read this year but is the ones I've remembered to write down (and not lose.)
31. The Golden One - Amelia Peabody series
32. He Shall Thunder In the Sky - Amelia Peabody series
33. Children Of The Storm - Amelia Peabody series. And I've got three more to get and I'm current. I like this series a lot. Good, strong characters both male and female. Good history, and not using the time period as a reason to be bigoted.
34. Digital Barbarism by Mark Helprin. I tried to read it. Multiple times. He's got important things to say and I caught several of his points but I'd have to say it was a pretty dry read.
35. Un Lun Dun by China Mieville. This I enjoyed quite a bit and it's going on my "recommend to others" list. To me, this had the same sort of flavor as some of Neil Gaiman's works but still something all it's own. I wish I had a rebrella.
36. The Shamer's Daughter by Lene Kaaberbol. I think this lost a little something in the translation. The story is solid, sound and rather boring. It isn't a long book but it took much longer than I expected to get through it.
So far, so good. The list is by no means everything I've read this year but is the ones I've remembered to write down (and not lose.)
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Job Search
Still job searching. I've put in five applications in 3 weeks - no one hiring at the moment. If I don't hear from someone by the end of the week, I'll put in three more. I'm trying to space them out a bit.
I love my current job, actually. Books are my life. I love dealing with books and helping with questions and all that good stuff.
I hate my coworkers. With a passion. With the hot fiery passion of ten thousand suns. If that were the only thing required to utterly annihilate various people.
*poof*
Oh, yes.
I love my current job, actually. Books are my life. I love dealing with books and helping with questions and all that good stuff.
I hate my coworkers. With a passion. With the hot fiery passion of ten thousand suns. If that were the only thing required to utterly annihilate various people.
*poof*
Oh, yes.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Unnatural Castastrophes
It seems I'm plagued with bizarre home repair issues in my rental history. The water heater that rusted out and sent a slow puddle across the kitchen floor (yes, the water heater had pride of place in that kitchen right next to the sink), the gas heater that would never stay lit, the bathtub with no shower/faucet, bats in the shed attic, and our latest - some moron who cut thru the tile in the shower to insert a ceramic soap holder that fell out the other day because of improper workmanship.
And nearly took out the husband's foot, who was in the shower at the time. (Ladies, you all know how things like that go over.)
And can we find a replacement? Oh no. Have we come to the realization that the tiles are also shoddily glued on? Oh yes. Do we want to call the property manager? Definitely not. Her fix-it guy has to be seventy and as frail as a toothpick. And I have the sneaking suspicion he's of the class of gents that uses duct tape and superglue and calls it good. Not quality repair, in other words.
How do we get this weird stuff? Why can't it be something I can fix ON MY OWN? You know, door hinges, clogged drains, that kind of thing.
*sigh*
Time to surf the net for a soap holder.
And nearly took out the husband's foot, who was in the shower at the time. (Ladies, you all know how things like that go over.)
And can we find a replacement? Oh no. Have we come to the realization that the tiles are also shoddily glued on? Oh yes. Do we want to call the property manager? Definitely not. Her fix-it guy has to be seventy and as frail as a toothpick. And I have the sneaking suspicion he's of the class of gents that uses duct tape and superglue and calls it good. Not quality repair, in other words.
How do we get this weird stuff? Why can't it be something I can fix ON MY OWN? You know, door hinges, clogged drains, that kind of thing.
*sigh*
Time to surf the net for a soap holder.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Nagging Me
Myself is nagging me to sit down and write something. Anything. Just write. Take an idea and run. And instead?
I'm Cat Waxing.
And everything else but actually opening the word processor. I think I'm a bit intimidated by it all but the compulsion is getting harder and harder to ignore.
I'm Cat Waxing.
And everything else but actually opening the word processor. I think I'm a bit intimidated by it all but the compulsion is getting harder and harder to ignore.
Monday, August 10, 2009
And That's the Last of It
No more moving stuff. That's the last of it. Thank the Gods. I don't think I could handle anything else. Anyway, even the boy has decided that we need to do a garage sale. Ya think?
Anyway, the shed's full, the small shed is full, the house is full. Good grief.
And I've been having a hilarious time watching the original Iron Chef. The subs are so funny. The husband is also eating up the bandwidth watching the Office.
Mmmm...rice. Gotta go now. Nom, nom, nom.
Anyway, the shed's full, the small shed is full, the house is full. Good grief.
And I've been having a hilarious time watching the original Iron Chef. The subs are so funny. The husband is also eating up the bandwidth watching the Office.
Mmmm...rice. Gotta go now. Nom, nom, nom.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Hermes, Fair, Birthday
It's all good. This month I'm studying up on Hermes, making a moving trip to and from the mothership's, while I'm there I'll be hitting the fair and my birthday is also that week.
It is going to be interesting if nothing else. :) Unpaid vacation during inventory= I don't even mind I'm not getting paid because I've heard...stories. I'm glad to be gone.
It is going to be interesting if nothing else. :) Unpaid vacation during inventory= I don't even mind I'm not getting paid because I've heard...stories. I'm glad to be gone.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Big Move, Round 2, FIGHT!
OMG. Another "you haul it yourself" truck with money I don't have to pick up stuff I have no room for. Oh god, what was I thinking? And it's bugger-all kinds of hot here, how's your weather?
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Bunch of Books
24. The Snake, The Crocodile, and the Dog - Elizabeth Peters
25. The Last Camel Died at Noon - Elizabeth Peters
26. The Ape Who Guards the Balance - Elizabeth Peters
27. Seeing A Large Cat - Elizabeth Peters. The Amelia Peabody mysteries. Obviously, I'm really enjoying this series. I'll be picking up some more of them as soon as the next trip to the library comes up.
28. This Child Will Be Great - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Quite a good biography of Liberia's first female president. Even more appropriate considering the news the past couple of days. After reading her book I fail to understand why they are asking her to step down. She seemed to be quite open about her past, but I guess they felt it wasn't enough.
29. Drood - Dan Simmons. Interesting. Huge, but interesting.
25. The Last Camel Died at Noon - Elizabeth Peters
26. The Ape Who Guards the Balance - Elizabeth Peters
27. Seeing A Large Cat - Elizabeth Peters. The Amelia Peabody mysteries. Obviously, I'm really enjoying this series. I'll be picking up some more of them as soon as the next trip to the library comes up.
28. This Child Will Be Great - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Quite a good biography of Liberia's first female president. Even more appropriate considering the news the past couple of days. After reading her book I fail to understand why they are asking her to step down. She seemed to be quite open about her past, but I guess they felt it wasn't enough.
29. Drood - Dan Simmons. Interesting. Huge, but interesting.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Bump...a bunch of Books
Since I'm never really working much anymore, I've been taking advantage of the local library system.
12. The Language of Bees - Laurie R. King
13. The Clan Corporate - Charlie Stross
14. White Witch, Black Curse - Kim Harrison
15. Tangled Webs: a Black Jewels Novel - Anne Bishop. I love the Black Jewels books. They are high on my reread list. :)
16. The Hidden Family - Charlie Stross.
17. Death of a Bore : A Hamish Macbeth Mystery - M. C. Beaton. I'm enjoying the Hamish series on audiobook. These are definitely fun.
18. The Family Trade - Charlie Stross. Now I have to wait for the library to get the next one in the series.
19. Across the Face of the World - Russell Kirkpatrick. They only had the first one in the library. Waiting on that one too.
20. Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street: A Life of the World's First Consulting Detective - Baring-Gould. Fascinating "biography" of Mr. Holmes. Actually shelved in biography, too. :)
21. Bridge of Birds: a novel of an Ancient China that Never Was - Barry Hughart. Master Li and Number Ten Ox. I can't recommend this one enough. Awesome.
22. The Years of Rice and Salt - Kim Stanley Robinson. Would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Buddhism and what might happen in the bardo.
23. Death of a Witch: A Hamish Macbeth mystery - M. C. Beaton. Yet another audiobook, and I'm liking this author more and more. The reader for these books, Graeme Malcolm, is very good. I guess he's done hundreds of audio books but since I'm new to the genre, I'd never heard him before.
And that's all the books I've read since last time (that I remember).
In other news, the house is slowly coming together. Boxes being unloaded and keeping up on the rest of the house. Including giving the cat a bath. I can't say he enjoyed it, I certainly didn't and I know the fleas didn't either. But less fleas = happier cat.
Downside is that he's so fuzzy that it takes forever to dry him out. And I haven't unpacked my hair dryer yet.
The Wii Fit is also being used on a regular basis. Not that I'm seeing progress but whatever. -2 lbs. In a month. *sigh*
12. The Language of Bees - Laurie R. King
13. The Clan Corporate - Charlie Stross
14. White Witch, Black Curse - Kim Harrison
15. Tangled Webs: a Black Jewels Novel - Anne Bishop. I love the Black Jewels books. They are high on my reread list. :)
16. The Hidden Family - Charlie Stross.
17. Death of a Bore : A Hamish Macbeth Mystery - M. C. Beaton. I'm enjoying the Hamish series on audiobook. These are definitely fun.
18. The Family Trade - Charlie Stross. Now I have to wait for the library to get the next one in the series.
19. Across the Face of the World - Russell Kirkpatrick. They only had the first one in the library. Waiting on that one too.
20. Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street: A Life of the World's First Consulting Detective - Baring-Gould. Fascinating "biography" of Mr. Holmes. Actually shelved in biography, too. :)
21. Bridge of Birds: a novel of an Ancient China that Never Was - Barry Hughart. Master Li and Number Ten Ox. I can't recommend this one enough. Awesome.
22. The Years of Rice and Salt - Kim Stanley Robinson. Would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Buddhism and what might happen in the bardo.
23. Death of a Witch: A Hamish Macbeth mystery - M. C. Beaton. Yet another audiobook, and I'm liking this author more and more. The reader for these books, Graeme Malcolm, is very good. I guess he's done hundreds of audio books but since I'm new to the genre, I'd never heard him before.
And that's all the books I've read since last time (that I remember).
In other news, the house is slowly coming together. Boxes being unloaded and keeping up on the rest of the house. Including giving the cat a bath. I can't say he enjoyed it, I certainly didn't and I know the fleas didn't either. But less fleas = happier cat.
Downside is that he's so fuzzy that it takes forever to dry him out. And I haven't unpacked my hair dryer yet.
The Wii Fit is also being used on a regular basis. Not that I'm seeing progress but whatever. -2 lbs. In a month. *sigh*
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