The Heat IS On

The high today at my house reached 86 F. In less than 24 hours, we are expecting some more snow. By the time it is done, they are predicting up to 9 inches. Insert emoticon of your choice, I am going to choose one that would suggest an obsence thought.

We don't have air conditioning. And our house faces west. We are in the sun all day. It reached 87 inside the house.

It made me think. About The Heat Is On, obviously. The "threat" of global warming that Gelbspan warns of is no longer, it is on us. The concensus in fossil fuel industries, government, society, and new technology is that we need to find alternate energy uses. In Milliken, where I live, Vestas blades on train cars pass through almost weekly. Last night, my husband was watching Shark Tank and there was a man looking for help expanding his technology that he presented as a kinetic-fueled charger for a cell phone, but that would eventually lead to ocean wave generators that would power, essentially, the world. Huge plans, basically. He was not given any offers, which was disheartening, but the point is that this is what inventors and businesses, even individuals, are looking for.

I have basically finished The Heat Is On, but I am one to read all those "boring" parts; in this case, that is the appendix which consists of Scientific Critiques over the skeptics mentioned. I will try not to get too carried away with my over-all analysis on the book. In fact, I have been avoiding writing in this blog for that reason (I finished the main section of the book 3 days ago). But, I do want to keep in the habit of writing.

That being said, I do want to approach one of the last topics addressed by Gelbspan. With the aide of Dr. Henry Kendall (1990 Nobel Prize for physics), along with other experts, the entire chapter entitled "The Coming Permanent State of Emergency", focuses on the collapse of democracy. The theory is that there is no way a democratic global community can exist much longer with the developing countries being supressed as they are along with the increasing shortage of goods. This is a topic I have studied before and that I feel deserves some attention. One book that comes to mind that would be a good recommendation from me to you would be AntiSystemic Movements. It was written at around the same time as The Heat Is On, but it has much more meat on this topic.

I am not including any new pictures on this blog post. This is mainly because I have not uploaded new ones that I want to use. Also because that damn real world is beckoning me once again... and it is a bit of an urgent matter...

Spring Cleaning

Even though the weather is against the season right now, I can't help but feel some of that spring cleaning urge. And since I can't do much to help the outside of my house right now, that means being a little over obsessive with interior cleaning/rearranging. Tomorrow I will tackle the girls' play room which means that they will be parting with some toys. Is it wrong I do this while they are at school?

I told you that story to get to this one: since I have been busy cleaning, I am not as far as I would like to be in The Heat Is On. At page 86, I think I am about 1/3 of the way. I have to admit, I am not as entertained by Gelbspan in this book as I was in The Boiling Point. I have not lost faith that there will be some interesting context, though. I might have a bit of reserve, due to the publication date, but I am not meaning to put it down the way I did with The Religious Case Against Belief.

You are probably wondering why I am bothering with a post; in all honesty, I just want to stay in the habit of writting. Therefore, this will be a very short post.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures in the last post, here are a few more:

My Father-In-Law and how Australians celebrate Christmas. (Dandenong, Australia 2007)

My first experience driving "backwards". (Australia 2007)

After Christmas brunch, it's time for some backyard cricket. (Australia 2007)

Point Udall, the Eastern most point of the United States (St. Croix, USVI May 2011)

A gorgeous church in downtown St. Christiansted (St. Croix 2011)

Columbus Landing, where Christopher Columbus first landed when he reached the Caribbean (St. Croix May 2011)

A Bourbon & Pepsi Kind Of Night

I don't drink except on the weekends. But when you don't have a job, every day is the weekend, right? I'm not saying it is okay to get loaded, but right now, it is absolutely fine for me to be on my second drink. Every once in a while, you don't really need an excuse, right?

I have NO idea as to why, but I have had no energy this weekend. Therefore, I am not as far in The Heat Is On as I would like to be. So far, I have made it to page 69. I have probably dog-earred at least 1/3 of those pages. Yes, I have mentioned and warned about the publication date of this book; so why would I dog-ear so many pages? Almost every single one of these have been related to a name or a publication that I want to research in modern times to compare/contrast.

It is very important to keep yourself up-to-date with the who, what, when, where, and why. In this topic specifically, there is bound to be information that has turned face. I want to check out some of these notes SO bad so far, but I am going to really try to wait until the end of the book to do so. This is for two reasons: 1. I want to be able to summarize/update every important fact at once; and 2. I need to teach myself a little self control. This is harder for me than you may realize. The amount of times I want to look up Pat Michaels, Robert Balling, Richard Lindzen, and others is a little obsessive...

This weekend has been eventful with my precious nephew and nieces' birthday parties. There is a sense of accomplishment in being that "parent" generation. Between my sister and I, there are 5 youngster; 4 of those are 8, 6, 6, 5, and 4. Then you add the cousin's which are 7 and 5. When the year is done, there will be a 13 year old (poor Kaden is the odd one out)... and 8, 7, 7, 6, 5, and 5. This makes for an absolutely fantastic holiday season!!

I would love for someone to let me know what kind of pictures are appropriate on a blog such as mine; please do not be shy. I mean, do you want pics of the book? Pics of my personal life? Or what? It isn't like my gorgeous sister who blogs fashion, and therefore has plenty of appropriate pictures.

Since I am not positive on what the solution may be, and since I have TONS of family pics... here are some more of this crazy, wild family...

My sister, at her wedding

My husband and I in our engagement photos

Emma and Anya

My Brotha!

 

 

My slow computer is going to be a poo-head, so here are a few so far...

 

I Wish It Weren't True...

...but I have not read a single page in The Heat Is On today. Wait, before you judge, I do have a little bit of weight to add to my side. Last night, I had to take my husband to the E.R. once again. We have been married for 7 1/2 years and, let me tell you, when he instant messaged me last night and said to get someone to watch the girls cause we needed to go, I knew that I needed to do exactly that.

Tit for Tat, eh? My wonderful husband spent the entire day today helping me hone my resume and apply for a couple of dream jobs! What are best friends for?

Now, here is the somewhat unpleasant factor in this whole scene. I have very few friends (this is not the factor, lol), but I do have one friend who has been there for me this last year like nothing I have ever experienced before. She came over right away to help. Since we didn't get back until late, she even put up with sleeping in the extra bed that Emma decided she needed to hog. After I came home this afternoon from picking up Anya, my husband pulled me aside. She had just recieved news that her birth mom had passed away. from Facebook. Not cool!

I am horrible, absolutely horrible in these kind of situations. I do not know what to say, to do, to even think! This person has been a true friend to me and I do not know how to be there for her at this moment. I don't know how to take away the pain.

My gorgeous Mum (mother-in-law) passed away nearly three years ago now. I still don't know how to deal with my own emotions, let alone take care of my husband's!

Okay, we are here to talk about books... let's get down to business, huh? Although I have not read today, I am on page 43, which is in Chapter 3. Here is the thing, though, and I said it just the other day- the book was written in 1997. SO much has happened in relation to global warming since then. The "debate" over it all is not even a debate any longer; we have come to a concensus that this is an event actually happening.

I do hope I get to read a bit more tonight. Though, I just got a call from the precious niece I can't say no to, asking if she could spend the night. Of course!!! The more the merrier! Happy Friday, everyone!

http://blogs.e-rockford.com/applesauce/2013/03/29/paradoxically-you-can-blame-global-warming-for-the-lingering-winter-weather/

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/01/28/U-N-Report-Says-Global-Warming-Predictions-Overstated-The-Problem

Obama's Bitchslap to Congress

I know, I know. I am supposed to be trying not to add political, religious, or other taboo subjects into such a blog that is meant to be about reading fantastic written pieces, but I am going to. Here is the thing- you might as well get used to it. If you are not knowledgeable about these sore subjects then you are part of the problem. Sorry... king of.

Listening to the President's Address over the Gun Control Legislature that failed in Congress made me proud of him. No, I am not one of those sappy Obama Mammas, nor am I against him. I did not vote for him in the last election (Gary Johnson was my choice).

I do not care where you stand on the political spectrum; it is not obvious to you that Congress has become the bitterest battleground over political agenda then you may need to do a bit more research.

Here is what was amazing about the speech by Obama: he reprimanded Congress for having been against the American public, their constituents; 90% of Democrats and 80% of Republicans were for these tougher laws that had nothing to do with trampling on 2nd Ammendment Rights. Obama bitchslapped those self-interested politicians who are in charge of this country's progress. I have never seen anything like it, since I have followed politics (remember I am only 30).

THIS IS WHY AMERICA WILL NOT CONTINUE TO PROSPER! We fight with ourselves over liberal/conservative agendas and refuse to work together when it matters the most.

Okay... I think I am done... sorry, but it is time to work together instead of against each other. It is time to turn away from the 2-tiered party system here.

Now I really am done. I am only 16 pages into The Heat Is On, and the first 14 of those were the introduction! One of the biggest things that someone researching should always remember is to check the copyright date of whatever they are reading. A couple of years between copyright and you reading it can be tremendous at times.

The Heat Is On was published in 1997. This was 16 years ago. Global Warming Theory has come a long way since then. It is crucial to keep that in mind when reading anything of this type of book.

Enough of my soapboxing now. I am going to wish everyone a  wonderful evening. Good night!

Craving More...

SPOILER ALERT: Do not read this post if you do not want to know intimate details about The Brothers Karamazov. Not that I am going to disclose too much info, but there will be some facts only known if you have gotten to the end of the book.

Obviously, I have finished The Brothers Karamazov. I have to make a few honest statements right away: 1. I feel cheated at the end, 2. I pat myself on the back for some of my instincts, and 3. I am going on a quest to read every Dostoyevsky novel now. I have read only two other Russian authors, Turgenev and Chekhov. I loved both of these pieces, fyi. In fact, Fathers and Sons has become one of my favorite novels of all time. I highly recommend it.

I knew Katerina Ivanovna was going to be important! I also had a feeling about the old Captain Snegiryov. Although, I was overall satisfied with Dostoyevsky's novel, I am guilty to admit that the ending was curt. Yes, most of us book lovers get that hangover after a book that keeps us from grasping that there is nothing more to read. But, considering how long it took to build up to the climax and get through the climax, the ending was unfulfilling. Once again, I mean no disrespect to Dostoyevsky, I mean to compliment him by saying "I want more!".

The process of the trial was splendid; I couldn't help feeling ignorant that such a democratic process could happen in 19th century Russia (under tsarism). It also helped me to believe in the importance of rhetorics. Never underestimate the power of ethos, pathos, and logos my friends!

If it is not obvious, I am trying very hard not to write anything too conclusive towards the outcome of the novel. This blog is NOT meant to be a spoiler, assist with term papers, or aide a lazy person to feel like they have an upper hand. I want to find others who have read some of these books, or in the process of reading them, (maybe even persuade the book to be read). There is something refreshing about finding others who have shared the same experience as you through literature.

Something I plan on doing with every single book I read is listing the "dog-ears". These are pages I have marked (dog-earred) for myself to return to- some are inquiries into other literature, some are fantastic quotes, and some are important events. There are other reasons as well that I mark a page. I want to share those pages with you- not the significance of them, for that is an individual thing, but just to give followers an idea as to what I find important/interesting.

Here are the Dog-Ears for The Brothers Karamazov:

vi
48
124
148
160
223
263
278
283
285
293
363
383
385
434
461
470
512
517
548
671
698
710
717
722
743
777
780
788
845

If I had anything to say to those who have not read The Brothers Karamazov yet, it would be to NOT read the Introduction beforehand. I usually do not suggest this, in fact I usually recommend reading any preludes, introductions, note from authors, or epilogues. However, in this praticular edition (introduction by Marc Slonim, Modern Library College Edition 1950), reading Slonim's thoughts are the biggest spoiler you can have in this book. Can't say it will be the same for all editions...

Because my daughters did an amazing job cleaning, I gave them the priviledge of choosing the next book for me to read. Yes, my children get awarded with this kind of weird stuff, they thoroughly enjoy it as weird as it is. The book they chose was The Heat is On by Ross Gelbspan. I have previously been introduced to Gelspan's work at a course at UNC. I am looking forward to this book, which will be about global warming in the modern times.

Have a wonderful night everyone!

Featuring the Unsinkable Molly Brown

Today is the 101st anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. This is a very popular historical event and therefore, I want to take a moment to venture away from The Brothers Karamazov and do that thing I do- get my dorky historical pants on. Trust, this will happen frequently... I find many historical events to be significant; in line with my fellow historians.

We all know the story... the "Unsinkable" Titanic hit an iceberg; there were not enough lifeboats/jackets; "women and children first"... I am sure most of us know the hollywood storyline between Jack Dawson and Rose whatever-her-last-name-is.

But how many of you know about Molly Brown? I truly hope more than a few... she was a colorful character who is even materialized in Hollywood's "Titanic". Yes, the most of that plotline was not completely accurate (as in the main plot of the two lovers), yet they did recreate quite a few well-known facts. Gotta love Hollywood, eh?

I mention Molly Brown for one reason only. Of course, a few other anecdotes stream from this main one, but for the main part, Molly Brown had a huge impact on my childhood. My wonderful Grandma was a history buff just like me (she died eight years ago) and through all the amazing things she taught me, Molly Brown stands front and center.

As you may know, I live in Colorado. Though Molly Brown was not born in Denver, she resided there before and after the sinking of the Titanic. The house she lived in still stands as a museum that my sister and our children visit often. I encourage anyone that lives close enough or plans on traveling to Denver to go there and hear her amazing story of sudden wealth and flamboyant personality (my favorite). The interior has this gold and blood red theme that just screams at you from everywhere you turn, and the authenticity of all the tour is fun (maybe not on a hot summer day with 4 young children, though).

Speaking of that precious memory, here is a few picture of that trip:

 

Here is my sister and her children- Brielle, Conner, and Kaden- and my only daughter at the time, Anya (this was 2008).

And here is a little better of a shot of the four children- Brielle, Conner, Anya, and Kaden

 

 

More on the last of The Brothers Karamazov later. I am, as of this moment, on page 880 and hope that I can finish it before tomorrow's posting! Have a fun spring night that is hopefully not as winterish as Colorado's right now (we have about 8 inches of snow and falling).