09-09-09

Honestly, you didn't really think I could go without posting on this day of all days, did you? I am a number freak, though I suck at all math-related things ...

This post will be Q's, A's, and anything else that occurs to me ... but I have decided there will be nine things, in honor of the day.

1. In a comment to one of my posts, dmaxi says that her Mum used to sing: "What did Delaware? She wore a New Jersey." She wondered if this was a real song? Well, I can't say anything about a song, but my mother used to always say (usually to my great annoyance), "If I wear my New Jersey, what will Delaware? Idaho, but Alaska." Grrr!!

2. Mary asks how I decide what book to read, and where I get them? Hm, I don't really have a specific answer for this one. A lot of times, I just feel in the mood for certain types of books, i.e., mysteries, biographies, and so I'll look for those. Other times I will admit that the cover of a book will make me take a closer look. Sometimes I actually have a specific title in mind, and will look for that. As far as where I get them, well, I receive a lot for gifts, since friends and family know I love books. Sometimes it will be years before I'll actually get around to wantint to read them. Tim will often get books for me, since a) he knows I love to read, and b) he gets a discount! He also brings Advance Reader Editions home when no one else at work has taken them, and he thinks I might like the book. I am also a regular user of our public library, which sadly is now closed a lot more of time due to short-staffing. (I shall refrain from rambling on about that issue. At least for now.)

3. Kim thinks I am a wonder, for how much I read. Well ... it's true, I do read a lot, but my current amount of reading is directly related to my current job at the prison. During times when it is not busy, we are allowed to read. Trust me, even reading a boring book is entertainment when the other option is waiting to see if/when the rats will show up!

4. Obama's address to school children in the US today. Oh my God, I was almost afraid to get up this morning, in case there would be thousands of socialist schoolchildren running around, who now had the career ambition to be part of a healthcare death squad. Only in America could a speech encouraging kids to stay in school be viewed a suspicious and with a political agenda. (Of course, it was different when Ronald Reagan (don't get me started) did it ...)

5. Chris wanted to know if I felt that I always needed to finish a book I've started. The answer is no, not always. Lots of times I'll keep reading because I think a book will either get better, or suddenly grab my attention. This happens often enough that I usually try to finish a book. But there are times I just can't take it. For instance, I tried really hard to read the book Evening, by Susan Minot recently. But in the end, it was boring to me and I didn't like any of the characters so I just returned it to the library.

6. Brigitte wants to know how long it takes me to knit a pair of socks. It used to always take me months, even if I worked on them constantly. But my time knitting socks last year for Christmas gifts gave me enough practice that I am much faster now. When I actually stick with it, I can usually knit a pair of basic socks in a month or less. New techniques or patterns take me longer, and sometimes, a pair in progress will sit for months before I pick them up again. But I do enjoy socks, and [sadly] they are still usually finished sooner than most other projects I start ...

7. I know I haven't had any penitentiary tales for you for a few weeks. August sort of blended all together, and I lost track of what happened when. But I promise some kind of "summary" post soon.

8. Thanks for all of your good wishes for my job search. Surely they count for something!

9. I wish I would stop picking at my cuticles. They are a mess. And the really ironic thing is that people's hands and nails are always one of the first things I notice ...