“The Circle”: “1984” for our time

I’m not much of a movie person; I prefer books.  One year, I believe I saw all five movies up for Best Picture, but as I try to find that year, I can’t.  And I rarely like a movie based on a book nearly as well as the book itself.  Quite a few should be neither movie nor book!  🙂

Somewhere I read something that made me pick up “The Circle”, by David Eggers, not my usual mystery/thriller tipple.  I’d like to say I couldn’t put it down.  But I had to.  It was too disturbing:  I could see where it was going and I didn’t like it.

Please read immediately!!

Ahhh, I’ve tricked you.   I don’t mean you should read this post immediately, although I guess if you don’t, you’ll never know why I chose that title.  What I’d like you to read, if you already haven’t, is Under the Tuscan Sun, by Frances Mayes.

As we get ready to travel, my thoughts turn to travel books, and more often than just prior to travel, I must admit.  I’ve enjoyed all sorts of travel books, but those by Mayes combine a number of things I love:  books, writing, poetry, travel and love.  Mayes is both a poet and teaches poetry, although I’ve never found my way to any of her official poetry.  But her writing is lyrical poetry at its best.  However…

Into the abyss

When you go to the grocery store, do you have to use a store card to get the sale price?  Do you have OnStar?  E-ZPass or I-Pass? Do you use a cell phone?  Computer?   ATM?  If so, someone is gathering (or can gather) information about you, whether you like it or not.  How is that information used?  Who uses it? How long is it kept?  How is it protected?  Or is it?

Wine to Water…a slice of life in Darfur

If you were asked where in the world you’d like to go to fulfill your life’s dream, would Darfur be your choice? Probably not.  In fact, Darfu would probably be near, if not at, the end of your list.  But it was the choice of Doc Hendley:  pastor’s kid, Harley-lover, hard drinker and bartender.

An AP test in computer mysteries

That should have really said an “AIP” test….Artificial Intelligence Personality.  If you don’t know what I mean by that, or even if you do, I highly recommend you start reading Donna Andrews’ series about Turing, the AIP.

The Seasons on Henry’s Farm…a book review with musings

The original farm

There’s something about land, something that feels not just elemental but, if you’ll pardon the unintended pun, grounded.