Lilho's Journal

01/22/2009 00:45 #47482

a wealth of historical knowledge
Category: books

i just finished reading, The Devil in The White City by Erik Larson. So, I think it is maybe one of the most well written books I have ever read. I think it sat on my bookshelf for almost two years; my bad. I think I maybe started it once and deemed it boring, but I was so very wrong.

You need to read this book, if you like historical fiction, the city of Chicago, crime novels, architecture, stories of struggle, triumph and heartbreak...

So really all people need to read this book. It kinda makes me want to go to Chicago now and see the where the World's Fair took place in 1893, even though the building aren't there, but, there is a museum that has a ton of artifacts and info about the fair.

I especially loved the way the book was written. The language was so descriptive and beautiful, but simply put... I really can't stand too much flowery language when I read and the author did an amazing job of retelling such a complex story in a way that the reader sort of slips into the past.

Ok, I am not good at all at book reviews, but I would like to give a shout out to (e:hodown), as I believe this may be her book, or at least I know she read it forever ago, and told me to read it, but I clearly did not listen.

Now, for my next read, I would like something fun and light... suggestions?

jacob - 01/25/09 01:02
WOW! I found that book at a second-hand bookstore. I loved it. It made me broaden what I think to read.

jenks - 01/22/09 15:06
I recommend "born standing up"- steve martin's autobiography. Since it's steve martin, it's funny, but it's not like total fluff.

Anything by David Sedaris will also make you wet your pants laughing. And it's short stories so it's easy to just read a little before bed, etc. Though you'll most likely find yourself not wanting to stop.

And sadly, that's about all i've read in the last... year. Boo. :(

hodown - 01/22/09 10:11
Simple way to identify it as my book. Were the first 20 pages or so detached from the book? If so then it was mine.

All my books are in some sort of sad shape. I attribute this to my loveing them a bit too much.

01/19/2009 00:16 #47443

from now on its only pg or comedy

i just went to see slumdog millionaire. really good movie. also so disturbing.

i am also currently reading "the devil in the white city". great book. also extremely disturbing.

and i received a book for xmas about the holocaust, also good but disturbing.

i see a theme here, and intend to put an end to it now.

i definitely think people need to read about and see awful things that happen in the world, because turning a blind eye is ignorant. however, i need at least a month of feel-good books and movies, because my anxiety level is at a high, and i have been having awful nightmares the past few weeks.

i begin to wonder, am i just a huge baby, or are other people really bothered by violence, death, murder, sexual abuse, and other such things in books movies to the point that it gives them a stomach ache??

anyway, i am going to drink some water now and think happy thoughts before bed!

metalpeter - 01/19/09 17:57
(e:paul) I really liked Pan's Labyrinth and Iron Man (Pans I saw on TV and not at the movies). That being said Paul I think you should continue going to the movies just make sure that they are ones you know you will like.

(e:Lilho) Slumdog Millionaire was very good. I think one of the reasons why you might find it disturbing is that as movies go it was real. What I mean is that there was cultural aspects and it was something you could see happening. I think the same themes and stories being animated or on another planet or some other setting wouldn't effect you as much. Also when one reads they form their own pictures in their head so something that is down or depressing or violent I think has more effect then say that same story in a video form.

theecarey - 01/19/09 17:34
Yes, I've experienced my head just hurting and feeling low after too much of it all. Definitely need to switch it up, you will likely feel better. Go for funny, feel good, inspiring or whatever it takes to not feel sucked down by what you have been watching and reading. Too much darkness, death, depression- How can it not have some effect?

paul - 01/19/09 14:59
It makes me feel sick too. After the movie about that fog by Steven king, pan's labyrinth and ironman, I stopped going to the movies.

theli - 01/19/09 12:18
Most people that view this kind of thing in its entirety tend to just shut down. (And I'm no exception.)

leetee - 01/19/09 08:35
We saw Slumdog Millionaire on Friday. Amazing film, but yes, disturbing. Loved the Bollywood bit at the end.

I, too, need to be uplifted by something a bit lighter just after i have seen the kind of film that alters my view of the world in a negative way. Also makes me feel less like complaining about the little things in my life...

01/13/2009 01:30 #47389

photo spree

so, for a while i was having photo uploading issues. and it seems to have worked this time! below are mostly pics of family stuff, including the incredible trifle(made by moi!), pics of my fab cougar mom(raaaar), my fab well-read non tv watching sis, my more silent, but still very cute brother and other randoms of a very tan me of course! also, some havalina in the yard...enjoy! you will also take note of the 4th of july sidecars made by moi, they pretty much killed my mom, and i did not post the after shots of her, but it was a fun 4th! i'm too lazy to name my photos and comment after each one...

i'll post some from my new years trip in the am...

libertad - 01/13/09 22:06
Third one down of you looks like you got your hand stuffed way up your kooch or you are missing a hand or something.

kookcity2000 - 01/13/09 21:51
ARIZONA IS HOT

hodown - 01/13/09 09:25
Good job. You posted all attractive pictures of myself.

01/07/2009 14:12 #47321

jobs galore

so this job i have been wanting turns out to seem not so great, and i kinda missed out on some fun in blo because of it. anyway, i still have the interview on friday, but i feel like it will be just to go and in case i want a job with that hospital in the future, i won't look bad.

it doesn't pay much, and seems like super hard work. pays less than both job i have right now, and turns out they only pay for those going to school to pursue nursing. anyway, maybe it is better than i think.

i may be able to pick up extra hours with the agency i work for, and there are clients i could work with here in town, which would be so nice not to have to drive 35 minutes to work.

i feel like i really just need to make school more important even if it means i will be broke. i was making decent money for a while there, but i can just cut back and it shouldn't be an issue.

taking a full time job is a lot of responsibility when i have another job and school full time.

it's nice to be home!

on the way back i got bumped in exchange for a voucher, so my next blo trip will be free...woohoo!

12/30/2008 19:02 #47222

old whitey

my infamous white coat, for those of you who know me and have seen it, has not unzippered at the bottom for two years.

well, now tonight, i came home, well home to the (e:pmt), AND i went to unzip it down to the bottom, and then step out of it, and it unzipped!!!!

such a small thing, but makes me sooooo happy!

i also found an amazing and cute hoodie on sale today, and it is so lovely and warm.

these things and the tim hortons hot chocolate i had today somewhat makeup for the fact that i am a loser and left my ipod in the back pocket of the plane seat. :(

plus at lunch the waitress though i was a movie star today, which feeds the ego.

and we are making beef stroganoff for dinner...delish!!!

so far, im loving this trip.

imk2 - 01/03/09 15:36
what are you guys doing tomorrow?

tinypliny - 12/31/08 13:33
You have a lab coat with a zipper? Interesting... Why is it infamous?!! Inquiring minds want to know.