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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2 to 26 of 29. Go back in thread:
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 11, 2003, at 8:26:37
In reply to So what goes on here?, posted by Snoozy on May 10, 2003, at 0:17:32
Hi Snoozy, good to see you here.
Well, this board used to be for the dicussion of the monthly book chosen to read and discuss. But we decided recently to let it open to all areas fo book reading and writing. SO you can post about books you;re enjoying, or want to read. Ask for opinions on books etc! Or you can write about your own writing. Anything really.
When you write about a certain book, you can link it cirectly to amazon but using double double quotes.. ie, 2 "'s either side of a book title will allow a book to be linked.. like this.. "Lord of the Rings" Its a really good function as you can then easily read more about a book!!
Fire away... looking forward to hearing more from you.
Nikki x
Posted by noa on May 11, 2003, at 12:04:53
In reply to Re: So what goes on here? » Snoozy, posted by NikkiT2 on May 11, 2003, at 8:26:37
Hi, Nikki. I hope you are doing well. Hi, Snoozy.
I am now reading "Finding Flow". I had read a few chapters of it a few years ago. It had been recommended by someone on Babble. I lent it out and it just came back, so I decided to read it. So far so good.
I have a bunch of other books piled up that I never got to. I love reading but tend to not make the time for it. Or, often, I don't feel like my concentration is that good.
I really should make time for reading more. I guess most of my reading these days is here and at my email. And that will take up as much time as I let it. And I guess I watch too much TV, too. Sigh.
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 11, 2003, at 12:08:56
In reply to Re: So what goes on here?, posted by noa on May 11, 2003, at 12:04:53
The third part of the Artemis Fowl books.. "The Eternity Code" They're a kids books.. Harry Potter kind of age. I love them!! They're set in the normal world, but also in the Fairy world.. with goblins and dwarfes and leprechorns!! *grins* The main character in a 13 year old boy genius!!
Reading for me is all about escapism, and these books certainly give me that!! *g*
Nikki xx
Posted by noa on May 12, 2003, at 19:03:58
In reply to I'm actually reading..., posted by NikkiT2 on May 11, 2003, at 12:08:56
I have never really gotten into the fantasy genre, but a novel can be an escape for me, too.
Enjoy!
Posted by Ritch on May 12, 2003, at 23:41:14
In reply to Re: So what goes on here?, posted by noa on May 11, 2003, at 12:04:53
I'm still reading Joseph Heller's "Catch as Catch Can", but I also couldn't help myself and had to buy "Hell's Angels" to start on. I am increasingly becoming aware of how journalism (good or bad journalism that is) shapes and influences culture. It was interesting reading to find that a New York Times article could have effected the behavior and essentially created the mythology of an entire group of people.
Posted by Snoozy on May 14, 2003, at 21:45:31
In reply to Re: So what goes on here?, posted by Ritch on May 12, 2003, at 23:41:14
Hi Ritch -
This is a really interesting topic. I'd love to hear more about the book as you read through it. And what do you think it means now that Fox News Channel is around?
>I am increasingly becoming aware of how journalism (good or bad journalism that is) shapes and influences culture. It was interesting reading to find that a New York Times article could have effected the behavior and essentially created the mythology of an entire group of people.
Posted by noa on May 14, 2003, at 23:40:56
In reply to Re: So what goes on here?, posted by Ritch on May 12, 2003, at 23:41:14
And the topic of how influential the media can be is especially interesting in light of the recent revelation that a NYT reporter made up much of his "reporting".
Posted by Ritch on May 15, 2003, at 13:42:51
In reply to Re: power of journalism » Ritch, posted by Snoozy on May 14, 2003, at 21:45:31
Wow, that is really ironic! I was just going through and noting some of the quotes in the book last night. He quotes other people at the beginnings of the chapters and what you just brought up reminded me of this quote:
The daily press is the evil principle
of the modern world, and time will only
serve to disclose this fact with greater
and greater clearness. The capacity of
the newspaper for degeneration is
sophistically without limit, since it can
always sink lower and lower in its choice
of readers. At last it will stir up all those
dregs of humanity which no state or government
can control.----Soren Kierkegaard
"The Last Years: Journals 1853-1855"Don't know what that will link to! :)
> Hi Ritch -
>
> This is a really interesting topic. I'd love to hear more about the book as you read through it. And what do you think it means now that Fox News Channel is around?
>
> >I am increasingly becoming aware of how journalism (good or bad journalism that is) shapes and influences culture. It was interesting reading to find that a New York Times article could have effected the behavior and essentially created the mythology of an entire group of people.
>
>
Posted by Ritch on May 15, 2003, at 13:45:56
In reply to Re: So what goes on here?, posted by noa on May 14, 2003, at 23:40:56
> And the topic of how influential the media can be is especially interesting in light of the recent revelation that a NYT reporter made up much of his "reporting".
Yeah, that really freaked me out when I watched the 60 Minutes piece on it Sunday. I generally limit *watching* news as much as possible, but now even *reading* news is tenuous. Ummm, somehow it seems to make sense that the reporter is going to finish law school now. I guesss journalists are joining the ranks of lawyers, politicians, and used car salesman!
Posted by noa on May 15, 2003, at 21:40:25
In reply to Re: So what goes on here? » noa, posted by Ritch on May 15, 2003, at 13:45:56
Don't law schools have any ethical standards for their students?
Posted by Ritch on May 15, 2003, at 22:57:00
In reply to Re: So what goes on here?, posted by noa on May 15, 2003, at 21:40:25
> Don't law schools have any ethical standards for their students?
I don't know because I've never tried to get into law school (yet-maybe-blecch-noway man). I *was* interested in journalism bigtime in high school, though. But, you are probably wondering if someone that isn't convicted of a crime, but who is admitting to making up stories and appealing to be forgiven by the public will have no "procedural" problem getting into a law school, providing all the other *objective*? data is sufficient..... I don't know. I think I looked into a law-school admissions thing once and from what I remember they did require a dissertation of sorts that they had to approve (regarding WHY you wanted to be a lawyer and HOW you would contribute in a positive way to the society, etc.). I guess if you are blessed with 3D excrement rendering talents, that could be considered adequate if you have the money.
Posted by Snoozy on May 16, 2003, at 1:34:21
In reply to Re: So what goes on here?, posted by noa on May 15, 2003, at 21:40:25
> Don't law schools have any ethical standards for their students?
Yeah - you can't be depressed! Which would technically be an unethical standard!
I was interested in going to law school (please don't hate me!) when I was in college. At the time, I heard something about you had to let them (the bar) know if you had been treated for mental illness, and I think they had to check you out or some such nonsense. Groveling to get into one of the world's most hated professions - I am crazy!!!
But then my life went in the toilet, and things didn't pan out (don't know if that's good or bad!) I would be curious if this policy has changed since the medieval '90s :)
Posted by Ritch on May 16, 2003, at 22:42:23
In reply to Re: law school » noa, posted by Snoozy on May 16, 2003, at 1:34:21
> > Don't law schools have any ethical standards for their students?
>
> Yeah - you can't be depressed! Which would technically be an unethical standard!
>
> I was interested in going to law school (please don't hate me!) when I was in college. At the time, I heard something about you had to let them (the bar) know if you had been treated for mental illness, and I think they had to check you out or some such nonsense. Groveling to get into one of the world's most hated professions - I am crazy!!!
>
> But then my life went in the toilet, and things didn't pan out (don't know if that's good or bad!) I would be curious if this policy has changed since the medieval '90s :)
>That sounds unlikely that a law school would refuse admission due to a mental illness history (perhaps if you are not currently psychotic, i.e.). As far as the most hated profession thing goes-it is sad because there are many lawyers that aren't in it just for the money. Hey, they *might* be the minority, but I certainly wouldn't want to hasten their departure from the profession!
Here's a quote from memory:
"All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"-RFK
Here's another interesting quote from "Hell's Angels":
A good reporter, if he chooses the right
approach, can understand a cat or an
Arab. The choice is the problem, and if
he chooses wrong he will come away
scatched or baffled.--A.J. Liebling
Posted by Snoozy on May 17, 2003, at 11:04:10
In reply to Re: law school and some quotes » Snoozy, posted by Ritch on May 16, 2003, at 22:42:23
> That sounds unlikely that a law school would refuse admission due to a mental illness history (perhaps if you are not currently psychotic, i.e.). As far as the most hated profession thing goes-it is sad because there are many lawyers that aren't in it just for the money. Hey, they *might* be the minority, but I certainly wouldn't want to hasten their departure from the profession!
If memory serves (highly dubious!), the law schools are more than happy to admit you and help you go into massive student loan debt. It was the bar that was interested in your mental health. I would think it would be more relevant if you had a gambling problem, say $8 million lost on slots? You do hear about lawyers stealing clients money, some of them because of gambling addiction. I've tried to figure out why there is such antipathy to lawyers. I would guess 95% of the time, people need lawyers because they're in a bad situation (criminal, divorce, etc.) and perhaps resent it. But on the other hand, most of the people doctors see are ill.
These are great quotes!! Thank you!
> Here's a quote from memory:
>
> "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"-RFK
>
> Here's another interesting quote from "Hell's Angels":
>
> A good reporter, if he chooses the right
> approach, can understand a cat or an
> Arab. The choice is the problem, and if
> he chooses wrong he will come away
> scatched or baffled.
>
> --A.J. Liebling
Posted by Ritch on May 17, 2003, at 16:43:49
In reply to Re: law school and some quotes » Ritch, posted by Snoozy on May 17, 2003, at 11:04:10
In a prosperous democracy that is also a
society of winners and losers, any man
without an equalizer or at least the illusion
of one is by definition underpriveleged.
---Sr. Cazador, a sporting type of sorts
with a knockledge of triggers and a
good eye for the openings(motorcycles being an equalizer)
Posted by fayeroe on May 17, 2003, at 22:10:54
In reply to Yet another quote.. » Snoozy, posted by Ritch on May 17, 2003, at 16:43:49
The name of the book on writing is "If you Want to Write" by Brenda Ueland. It is excellent. I apologize for forgetting to get back with it. Fayeroe
Posted by Ritch on May 18, 2003, at 21:38:21
In reply to I'm way late on this!!, posted by fayeroe on May 17, 2003, at 22:10:54
> The name of the book on writing is "If you Want to Write" by Brenda Ueland. It is excellent. I apologize for forgetting to get back with it. Fayeroe
No apology required or expected, especially since I forget most stuff that people remember. You just re-remembered something that I had forgotten. Come to think of it I think I have checked this book out somehow anyways-but forgot about it on my own accord without any help.
I went through all that school and family
jazz. It's all crap. Boy, am I glad the Angels took me in! I don't ever want to
be anything but an Angel and that's it!--Reply to a question
Posted by fayeroe on May 18, 2003, at 21:51:59
In reply to Better late than never plus another quote... » fayeroe, posted by Ritch on May 18, 2003, at 21:38:21
Posted by Ritch on May 19, 2003, at 9:59:55
In reply to Better late than never plus another quote... » fayeroe, posted by Ritch on May 18, 2003, at 21:38:21
Here's the man who doesn't have any
identity. But *tonight* he has the Los Angeles
Police Department and the Los
Angeles Fire Department upset. He has
the National Guard called out. Tonight he
is somebody. Tonight he has an identity.---Reverend G. Mansfield Collins
a Watts minister, speaking in the
wake of the 1965 riots
Posted by fayeroe on May 19, 2003, at 13:59:46
In reply to yet another quote..., posted by Ritch on May 19, 2003, at 9:59:55
I have found that many gifted people are so afraid of writing a poor story that they cannot summon the nerve to write a single sentence for months. The thing to say to such people is: "See how BAD a story you can write. See how dull you can be. Go ahead. That would be fun and interesting. I will give you ten dollars if you can write something thoroughly dull from beginning to end!" And of course no one can.
Brenda Ueland
Posted by fayeroe on May 19, 2003, at 14:04:43
In reply to yet another quote..., posted by Ritch on May 19, 2003, at 9:59:55
British novelist Evelyn Waugh once said, "One forgets words as one forgets names. One's vocabulary needs constant fertilisation or it will die." Editors at MSN Learning & Research picked some of their favorite words to nourish your vocabulary. Some of them you may even use. (Tip: click to see the full definition and hear the word pronounced.)
1. Defenestrate: "throw somebody or something out of window: to throw something or somebody out of a window (formal or humorous)"
It is quite entertaining to defenestrate paper airplanes.
2. Garbology: "study of waste materials: the study of a cultural group by an examination of what it discards"Garbology might be a good career choice for dumpster divers. Recycling may make the job of future garbologists extremely difficult--they'll have less to study.
3. Digerati: "computer experts: people who have or claim to have a sophisticated expertise in the area of computers, the Internet, and the World Wide Web"
Not too long ago, computer expertise was considered nerdy. These days, many people strive to be among the digerati.
4. Antipodes:
1. "places at opposite sides of world: places at opposite sides of the world from each other, or the areas at the side of the world opposite from a given place"
2. "opposites: two points, places, or things that are diametrically opposite each other"One could say that Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli and Warren "Potsie" Weber are antipodes.
5. Hallux: "first digit on the foot: the big toe on the human foot, or the first digit on the hind foot of some mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians (technical)"
The ballerina had her hallux insured for $10 million!
6. Otiose:
1. "not effective: with no useful result or practical purpose"
2. "worthless: with little or no value"
3. "lazy: unwilling or uninterested in working or being active (archaic)"Will e-mail render traditional letter writing otiose? Let's hope not.
7. Cullet: "glass to be recycled: broken or waste glass returned for recycling"
Don't forget to take the cullet out to the curbside, and be sure to put it next to the trash, not in it.
8. Pellucid:
1. "clear in meaning: easy to understand or clear in meaning (formal)"
2. "transparent: allowing all or most light to pass through (literary)"The police officer's warning was pellucid: drivers must go the speed limit in the school zone.
9. Borborygmus: "stomach rumble: the rumbling sounds made by the movement of gases in the stomach and intestine (technical)"
If you lay your head on someone's stomach, you are likely to hear borborygmus.
10. Embrangle: "perplex somebody: to confuse, perplex, or entangle somebody or something (archaic)"
As Lord Needlebottom attempted to explain the rules of cricket, his American friends became more and more embrangled.
Posted by Ritch on May 19, 2003, at 21:41:19
In reply to Re: yet another quote... » Ritch, posted by fayeroe on May 19, 2003, at 13:59:46
> I have found that many gifted people are so afraid of writing a poor story that they cannot summon the nerve to write a single sentence for months. The thing to say to such people is: "See how BAD a story you can write. See how dull you can be. Go ahead. That would be fun and interesting. I will give you ten dollars if you can write something thoroughly dull from beginning to end!" And of course no one can.
>
> Brenda Ueland
I like that. I only took three or four Lit./Writing classes outside what was required for GenED requirements in college. I think I picked up this possible book title from one of those classes (memory here): "The Anxiety of Influence"Now I think I understand why writers tend to isolate themselves from potential criticism-they don't want that to influence the process of their writing. I think the trick is to get away from the academic establishment ASAP.
Posted by Ritch on May 19, 2003, at 21:54:48
In reply to Re: yet another quote... » Ritch, posted by fayeroe on May 19, 2003, at 13:59:46
Were it not for the presence of the
unwashed and the half-educated, the
formless, queer and incomplete, the unreasonable
and absurd, the infinite shapes of
the delightful human tadpole, the horizon
would not wear so wide a grin.--Frank Moore Colby,
"Imaginary Obligations"
Posted by fayeroe on May 20, 2003, at 8:33:15
In reply to Anxiety of influence.... » fayeroe, posted by Ritch on May 19, 2003, at 21:41:19
Ritch: I totally agree. Right now I'm e.mailing with a "famous" sportswriter from the Washington Post and he's been more help than anyone else with the book I'm working on...........and also a photographer in California who has been helpful beyond belief.....Academia types have only scared the bleep out of me and made me retreat to under my bed and tremble...........now I'm back on it and feeling really good about it...fayedy
p.s. of course a little Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Coldplay, Bach, Beethoven, chanting monks, etc. help too!!
Posted by Snoozy on May 20, 2003, at 10:22:19
In reply to Re: yet another quote..., posted by Ritch on May 19, 2003, at 21:54:48
Perhaps you've heard this one before, but the writer Dorothy Parker said "this is not a book to be tossed aside lightly.....it should be thrown with great force"
Fortunately I haven't read any books that statement would apply to, now that I'm a grown-up and get to pick my own reading :)
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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