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Theecarey's Journal

theecarey
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02/07/2009 12:15 #47667

book eaters unite!
Category: nerd
made me think of, "dyslexics untie!" when I wrote the title. It was almost hard not to write, "untie". I think I read it that way now!

anyway, a friend pointed me in the direction of a site geared towards book lovers. It is a virtual bookshelf!


actually, it is more than that. It is a place to write reviews, blog, socialize, discover new books, read reviews, exchange ideas, etc.

I 'eat' so many books that it is easy to lose track of what I have read, when and what the book was about, author, etc. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before recently to start writing down what I read. I made this decision a couple of months ago, and have been since tracking my books on a piece of paper. I remembered a lot of books from 2008, so I jotted down those as well. I may remember a couple dozen from 2007, but not likely all of them. The two years or so prior to that, I won't remember much, or even I read anything much outside of school texts. So, 2008 will be my start date. But why oh why didn't I start when I was, say, four?? haha That would have been awesome.

for me.

So, this Shelfari looks fun. I like the idea of having a virtual shelf, and share what I have read with others. I imagine that I would be able to find even the most obscure of books and topics that I have read, and to find other people who have read things that I have and/or things I will want to read. It is great to get new ideas for what to read or be introduced to authors and bios I may never have come across otherwise. I'm glad to say that I'll read anything, pretty much, so it should prove to be a positive addition to my life.

Now to go take a close look at this site. If not this one, then there are sure to be more out there that will suit my purpose, needs, wants, nerd cravings.

enjoy the 'heat wave', peeps!
trisha - 02/08/09 19:41
librarything rocks!
theecarey - 02/08/09 00:42
sweet, gotta check this out too. :)
heidi - 02/07/09 16:38
I've been using librarything.com for several years.

02/06/2009 13:43 #47659

tempted on cheap cable offer
Category: life
I don't have cable. I haven't in some time.

Well, actually, I had it turned off back in 2005 when I realized that I never have time to watch it (I was a few classes into my Masters at that time pkus f/t work), and it was pointless to pay for something I didn't use anymore.

This led me to calling Adelphia, and having them turn it off.

Forward to the cable guy knocking on my door and retrieving the cable box (this was prearranged, since I lived far from drop off station). Before he left, he said something to the effect of, "in case you didn't know, if you hook your cable into the back of the tv, you will continue to have cable until someone comes along and turns it off at the street'.

No, I never would have thought to do that, figuring it would have been cut off immediately.

So I did this.

and had cable.

For like three years.

Until the new TW came along and did their giant neighborhood sweep.

I had called Adelphia on two occasions. Twice to to remind them that I had turned the cable off and I was still receiving cable, and would not accept a bill if one came to me.

Anyway, I did watch more tv once finished with Masters and all that, so when it was finally turned off, I felt the absence; but not enough to do anything about it. I never even bothered to get an antenna (or converter box), because it really doesn't matter whether I have it or not.

...except when I want a little background noise other than music or a movie. So, when an offer from TW came in recently for a basic cable package of $5/mo, I am kind of tempted. Likely a 1 year contract/offer? Do I, don't I? I have to find out more, before I do anything. This is still not a necessity in my life.

but it might be nice.

what is even on tv anymore? I wonder what is considered, "basic"- likely the local channels?


Happy Friday!



theecarey - 02/06/09 21:42
if there were a couple extra stations like, Discover or TLC, that would be worth it in itself. I'd love to see some comedy central and either Bravo or Food network. But it will be nice to have whatever I get. Although I lovelovelove Gilmore Girls on dvd, I need to watch something else.

or maybe I dont :)
metalpeter - 02/06/09 18:56
When I mother had it that is what it was. There might have been some public access and maybe a shopping channel like HSN and maybe TLC I don't remember. I would say it is only $5 you should go for it. Sometimes the Cable wouldn't be for you it is good if someone comes over or you just feel like watching something and it is also a pretty good price.
mrmike - 02/06/09 13:46
You're probably looking at the local channels, the canadians, maybe a discovery channel and I think WTBS (which I watch only for the movies). That was basic, essentially, when I was a cable slave.

02/02/2009 18:20 #47606

Monday Snicker
Category: silliness
A really good deed

This guy arrives at the Pearly Gates. He has to wait to be admitted, while St. Peter leafs through his Big Book. He's checking to see if the guy is worthy of entry or not. Saint Peter goes through the books several times, furrows his brow, and says to the guy, "You know, I can't see that you did lots of good in your life but, you never did anything bad either. Tell you what, if you can tell me of one REALLY good deed that you did in your life, you're in."

The guy thinks for a moment and says, "Well, there was this one time when I was drivin' down the highway and I saw a Biker Gang assaulting this poor girl. I slowed down my car to see what was going on, and sure enough, that's what they were doing. There were about 50 of 'em attacking this chick.

Infuriated, I got out my car, grabbed a tire iron from my trunk and walked straight up to the leader of the gang. He was a huge guy with a studded leather jacket and a chain running from his nose to his ear. As I walked up to the leader, the Gang formed a circle all around me.

So I ripped the leader's chain off his face and smashed him over the head with the tire iron. Then I turned around and yelled to the rest of them, 'Leave this poor, innocent girl alone, you slime! You're all a bunch of sick, deranged animals! Go home before I teach you all a lesson in pain!'"

St. Peter, extremely impressed, says, "Really? Wow, when did all this happen?"


"Er.. about two minutes ago."
ladycroft - 02/06/09 05:38
hehe
tinypliny - 02/02/09 19:07
Good one! :)

02/04/2009 18:07 #47639

A Life Worth Reading ?
Category: reflection
Blogging. Public. (often)Personal. Informative.
Incriminating?

I usually write as I think. Not too concerned with spelling, grammar or flow of thought. My writing is usually for me, even with the awareness that there is an audience somewhere, it isn't enough to edit anything of what or how I write. Only once here do I recall making a post private after ranting, blowing off steam about family and religion. For various reasons, I couldn't keep it "out there" for long. However, most everything else is out there for good, for better or worse in any form that I present it. If I were more conscientious of what I wrote I would either not write at all or I would be more productive and acclaimed. But I am neither, and I just sit somewhere in the middle, fluctuating in my style, voice, content, basic English writing ability and presentation. Often my writing aim is vacillating between the effects of buckshot and that of a sharpshooter.

Only recently have I really wondered about who reads my stuff and more specifically, who among my family and close friends, if any? I never really put it out there where I write, but this past year or so, I have added visible links to some of the places I write or mentioned it in conversations, or showed them something on my laptop. Have they checked it out beyond that? Would I be made to know if they had? Would I care? Do I?

There are a lot of journals out there. Over time, I have written at estrip (obviously), at two of my LiveJournal accounts, two Myspace accounts and a blogspot/blogger account. Facebook format (and all that it is, sorry) annoyed me too much, and the old Friendster format has long been abandoned, although blogs still exist there (I've been lazy in removing them, or bothering to log in). Pen/Paper journals are not included as part of this discuss, but there are many of them, tucked away). Those sites that I listed are the main ones, anyways, for longer random write-ups. Then there are the less regular yet more specific posts at political, art, theater, writing and book oriented sites. It is weird, when on occasion someone has stumbled upon a blog, or when they have intentionally sought it out, to be made aware of it. I used to have estrip distinctly linked to many of the other blog place and/or social network sites- which was good and bad. Good for some readership in general, (and the ensuing comments, private messages etc), bad for the 'stalkerishness' of some readers I came to know about. Due to the increasing of the latter, and the location and familiarization of the context of this blog (and site in general), I took down the link. That was awhile ago, and a lot of those issues have simmered down, respectively. A lot of readers still find me here (via related and unrelated searches), but it is with good intent. Maybe now I can re link again.

I happened to be in a conversation today with my mom that benefited from my showing her some pictures and accompanying write up from a few old posts. This made me realize that she has not been privy to my writing world, well, not my blog world, anyways. Not in the way that reading to her/showing her would allow. So in contemplating all this, it is what brings me to writing this post today. It is one thing to wonder about who reads your stuff quite another to know for sure, and how that makes me feel. It isn't bad nor good, just kind of weird. The known difference between fluid conversation and interaction and those that are electronically 'set in stone' and limited in personal nuance.

The writings in this blog from the past year and a half have been topical; nothing too deep or revealing. It is the first 2 years that has much more depth, reflection and insight into me. Still an insignificant snapshot compared to all that it there, all that I 'contain', but still a view inside nonetheless.

In hindsight, it really doesn't matter who reads what. It is humbling to know that people do, especially those that do so on purpose. (thank you)

I'd like to pull more of my writing into one accessible spot- something that anyone can read, if they choose. Something that is easier for even myself to look back on, refer to, track and make mental notes on.

We do a lot of living 'out there'
but we have a lot of it documented right 'here'.

Happy Wednesday, folks.


tinypliny - 02/06/09 22:03
Heh. My brother and parents know about this blog but I think they are bored stiff by it. They don't share my taste in music. They are not interested in various grocery expeditions or other ridiculous things I write. Most probably 40K of those 50K views are from my IP. LOL
theecarey - 02/06/09 21:32
I pretty much read most everyone here. I get lazy on comments though, I apologize. I like the insight into people. eStrip is familiar and I feel like we are all related, part of a club. I pretty much have to say that I like everyone, even those I don't know or who I've had scuffles with, haha. I think of all the "outsiders" who read estrip, and it is feels like someone is eavesdropping on us. My mom doesnt want to use the computer so I dont think that she would read my stuff, although if I left one of my old journal books out, likely that would be opened up. I think.
My BF knows about my blogs, but I dont think he reads them, which he can if he wants, but I've never heard any indication that he's come over here to take a peak.
and I agree (e:jenks)- "I do try to keep it not very google-able though. Wouldn't want random work people, dates, etc to find this before getting to know me, you know?" That had/has been the weirdest part, when someone interested in me would know soooooo much more about me already because they had hundreds of journals worth to read through and get to know info I hadn't yet told them.
(e:metalpeter): "What I wonder is if you or I or anyone knew who everyone was who read our blogs for sure if that would cause us to change or alter how we write."- yeh, I dont think I would change much, as I dont go too deep, but it would put a weird sense of "knowing my audience" in a way I hadn't so much thought about before.
"I think I write the same way you do as I don't really plan it out I just kinda write what I'm thinking"- that's how I hope to keep it. Keep it as authentic as possible but then edit to make sense, but often i dont even do that :)

all in all, if I didnt want people to know anything, I would keep it topical all the time. But I like to write and it is bound to get personal. So it is more about the curiosity of who reads, what they think about it, and whether I would ever really know- especially family.
heidi - 02/06/09 20:20
I had two separate people in my Tioga County life tell me that my parents read my blog here. Uncomfortable... but I guess that's the risk I take. I don't really have illusions of privacy. In a small town no one really has any. My truly personal stuff is elsewhere.
jenks - 02/04/09 20:42
yeah, I wonder too- and tested it last week. I think I wrote about how Paul sent me a message he got, in which a distant family member found my blog by googling my great-great uncle.

So, this was kind of exciting, and I wanted to tell my family, but didn't really want to explan it all... so I just sort of said "yeah I had a picture online and he found it wrote to me..."

My mother is SUPER nosy (like pick-the-lock-on-your-diary nosy), but completely technophobic, so I don't really worry. You could leave your diary open on my dad's desk and he wouldn't look at it.

But my cousin did what I feared (and what I would do), and googled the great uncle, and found my blog. I don't care, she loved it, etc. But I had to cross the line and say "don't tell mom". I guess I don't know why I care if they read it, but.... I'd rather just keep them away from it for now. I do try to keep it not very google-able though. Wouldn't want random work people, dates, etc to find this before getting to know me, you know? It caused big drama with eric... and so the fact that I intentionally TOLD dan about it was kind of huge. he told me recently that he still even reads it sometimes. Hmm.
metalpeter - 02/04/09 19:31
Interesting post. I kinda wonder if and who reads my posts here also. It should be noted that somethings I write here I then copy and paste and put on myspace, okcupid, and Fubar , I don't have a facebook and think that one more place might be to much. But there are a lot of posts that are just on (e:strip). Some posts that have pictures become different on the other two sites since you can post a slide show there. I don't think that any of the sites have an option to show you who has viewed each blog or posting to unless some one leaves you a comment it is tough to know if anyone read it and what they think of it. I do know some people at least look at my pictures on myspace since they tell me about them or ask how the monster truck show was. In terms of blogs that are private I know I have one and maybe a second one not sure. What I wonder is if you or I or anyone knew who everyone was who read our blogs for sure if that would cause us to change or alter how we write. I think I write the same way you do as I don't really plan it out I just kinda write what I'm thinking.
hodown - 02/04/09 18:21
I often wonder who exactly reads my blog- or if anyone actually does.

02/01/2009 13:46 #47591

Numbered Things
Category: life
In the mood to write and update, but not sure about what, and I don't want to go to deep or profound, so I will just list whatever comes to my mind and stop once distracted :)

1. Glad to see the sunshine and snow-ice-glops melting. Today feels like a heat wave in comparison to the last couple of weeks or so.

2. We have had plenty of snow. Even Youngstown has been covered in it this whole winter, something I am usually complaining that we don't have.

3. I'm usually in want of snow in my area, just so I can get some good use out of my cross country skiis. They are always ready and waiting, propped up next to my front doors. For the past three years, there has been only about a weeks worth of decent snow in Y-town; usually there is nothing but green.This year, I just haven't made it out. I NEED to before I kick myself in the butt for not taking the XC skiis out for the day.

4. I have several bags of pop bottles to return, and I have been waiting for a nice(r) day to do so. They have been collecting in my car for that very occasion. I just keep tossing full bags of empty cans into my car, thinking that I would have gone already to return them, but not the case. My back seat looks trashed from this. Today would be a good day, if I can muster the enthusiasm to do so.

5. Superbowl today. Sometimes I watch, sometimes not. If I have to choose, I'm for the Arizona Cardinals. My mom has a giant tv, and invited me over, so my bf and I will go over there later this afternoon/early evening to watch.

6. My gym membership ended a month or so ago, and I REALLY need to get back. I need to scrounge up the membership fee somewhere, somehow asap! I actually miss going. so do my jeans.

7. February already. Getting closer to Spring.... yay!

8. There is a gem of a bookstore in Niagara Falls called, The Book Corner. Tons of new and old books in a multi level musty smelling building. My nose itches like crazy while I am there, but its such a cool place and had pretty great prices, too. I am almost never in that area, but I've been wanting to go to that store, but I am not sure if it is still there. Anyone know? I will call around, just thought I would ask...

9. I'm trying to learn more about Blogspot/Blogger- a lot of good reads over there. Technorati helps point the way to various blogs, and I keep ending up over at Blogspot. However, there are a few snafus to sort out. The general help area hasn't been very helpful and navigating random blogs leads me to consistently enter into foreign language blogs. Ok, if it is french, not so great if its swahili. Not many have a translation option, so I often close out and head elsewhere.

10. I'm addicted to the site, blu-ray.com I've likely mentioned it before. It isn't all about bluray, even though it is the leading technology. There is just so much fun stuff to learn (and to share knowledge, opinions, etc) about home theater stuff. Also some decent book and movie discussions have been had, a big bonus for me. I've always been a fan, but it is nice to have a bit of a one stop place to go for info and share info. I love my music, and so audio components are important. I don't have much to speak of anymore, but I aim to have a better set up someday. Although I don't watch tv, I do enjoy film- and having a solid system to enhance picture and audio quality is another goal. In the mean time my little (and old) 27" cr-tube will have to do.

11. I haven't had a drink in way too long. I think about it, but never follow through. Last I had was a bottle of cheap champagne on New Years Eve. mmmmmmmmm....

and now, time for some chores; been sitting too long.

have a good one, peeps. Open the curtains and let the sunshine in!


theecarey - 02/02/09 18:26
yep, I like Wordpress too. Of course, I love estrip, but I do a lot more reading than everyone can keep up with writing (for me), and I like to read thoughts from all over the world.

I write all over the place too..
drew - 02/02/09 09:10
why would you need to learn blogger? (e:strip) is awesome, and if you are going to go all big, wordpress still beats it!