A jambalaya of an entry

[fredericks]

::hugs FL:: It's great reading about your early writing experiences. Thanks for taking the time to click "reply" and share.

Worked the last OT last night. Man, I really like that floor. It's more spacious than my floor, the axillary staff is much more helpful, the staff in general is more friendly, it's just awesome in a basket of greatness. Last night wasn't too bad, but the night before I had my first patient die during shift. It was a miserable experience, especially since I couldn't find it in me to just let her go (90-odd year old, basically on palliative care, DNR/DNI) and fought to keep her alive until she gave up the ghost around 3AM. We did what we could and, yeah. It was her time.

Sleep has been hard to come by this evening. I snatched a couple of hours here and there, but hopefully I can find a way to become fully rested before my shift tomorrow.

At the Museum of Natural History: a Mythic Creatures Exhibit. Anyone want to head out there with me this upcoming Monday or Tuesday?

I have a S1 of Deep Space Nine to give away (practically - for the low low price of $20 + shipping/handling) as I snagged the S1-7 set Amazon was selling for a majorly discounted price. If anyone wants it reply and let me know.

I'm not reading nearly enough this year. I want to see if I can finish 50 books by year's end. Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations for works I should tackle? Anything goes.

Comments

[orpheus78.livejournal.com]

That mythic creatures exhibit looks pretty neat! :D

I still think you should check out Clive Barker. Maybe The Great and Secret Show, which I might re-read this year. That novel has been adapted as a graphic novel recently, but I haven’t read it yet. Or you could try the Abarat series which has two volumes out so far, but those books are geared towards young adults, which may or may not be your cup of tea. Those books have purty paintings done by Barker himself.

That "what was the first piece of fiction that you wrote" was a cool entry. I am almost tempted to ask the same question in my journal, but I don't want to get sued for copyright infringement. ;)

[twoworldsin1.livejournal.com]

I also suggest The Great and Secret Show. It is a really freaky book (Clive Barker, what did you expect?), but many parts of it are also very well written. If you like this book you should also try the sequel to it, Everville. There's also supposed to be a third book, but Barker has been saying that for the past 15-odd years. He just procrastinates a lot :D

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

So now I definitely have to pick up The Great and Secret Show. Thanks for the heads up. :)

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Barker straddles the line between fantasy and horror, doesn't he? The name is familiar...Hellraiser? Or am I thinking of something/someone else.

[orpheus78.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he directed the first Hellraiser movie and wrote the novella that was the basis for the movie, The Hellbound Heart. He was pretty much known as a horror writer in the beginning of his career, but has written more fantasy as of late.

Hm...

[1x2foralways.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about losing your first patient. *hugs* I don't know how you could do it without becoming an emotional basket case; I know I wouldn't be able to.

Have you ever read "The Count of Monte Cristo"? I know it's a classic, and you've probably read it, but it's fast becoming my favorite classic. And of course, there's Deathly Hallows coming up. *grin* If I think of anything else, I'll definitely let you know.

Re: Hm...

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I think I told you my plan for when Deathly Hollows comes out: sit in the entire weekend (I'm off) and finish it in one tea-fueled swoop. Tissues at the ready, of course.

There are a couple of Dumas books I have to revisit. I read Count a long time ago, but re-reading is always fun when the book is enjoyable.

Re: Hm...

[1x2foralways.livejournal.com]

I'll be doing the same. I need to avoid the internet until I finish that sucker, for there will be spoilers galore. I can just picture it now...mass chaos is going to ensue. *shudders*

And I agree wholeheartedly about rereading of books. And Count is very, very enjoyable. (:

[captainschlumpy.livejournal.com]

I wish I could go to the Natural History musuem *pout*
I've been reading the Raised by Wolves series lately amongst other things. Books 1 and 2 are out now. (Brethren and Matelots) They are a good read if you like historical fiction and gay pirates (actually they are privateers) I've got a bit of a problem with some elements of the second book but still very good. Also The Snow Garden by Christopher Rice is good. I can send you the paperback if you want that one. I've read it a couple of times and was just going to take it to the used shop anyway. I might think of something else.....

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I think you mentioned the gay pirates book to me a while back when I posted about a crappy gay thief fantasy book I'd read. What are the issues that you have with the pirates book? And I wouldn't mind being the recipient of The Snow Garden if you still want to get rid of it. You send me that and I'll send you some souvenirs from the Natural History exhibit. :)

[captainschlumpy.livejournal.com]

The issues I had are slightly spoilery but I'll give you the ones that won't give anything away. I always have issues with rape as plot device. You know, people can have a tragic past without rape being involved. It is so overused. I chuckled a little at one of the characters because he is basically Brad Pitt's character from Snatch. Looks, accent, the whole shebang. Actually, most of my issues are with the second book. The first one was pretty awesome and could stand alone. Be prepared for graphic descriptions of everything, sex, bodily functions, war, etc. Considering your field it probably won't bother you :) I really liked how the characters switched from language to language without confusing the reader. The author indicates a shift between languages with the word yes. It's all written in English but it is implied that they are speaking, Castillian, French, German, etc. I really liked it, and not in a fluffy, makes me giggle way like Luck in the Shadows. I'll send Snow Garden out tomorrow!

[suspiria.livejournal.com]

if you're looking for something fun, the lost art of keeping secrets (http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Art-Keeping-Secrets/dp/0452288096/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-0168877-8642553?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184172240&sr=1-2) is lovely. i also just read son of a witch (http://www.amazon.com/Son-Witch-Novel-Gregory-Maguire/dp/0060747226/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-0168877-8642553?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184172373&sr=1-1"), which was great, although darker than wicked (http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Life-Times-Witch-West/dp/0060987103/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-0168877-8642553?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184172452&sr=1-2).

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Noted and noted. Thanks for the suggestions. :)

[emily-goddess.livejournal.com]

Discworld, Discworld, Discworld!

If you're into brain-bending stuff, check out House of Leaves by [Somebody] Danielewski. It's a fake essay about a fake documentary, in which a family finds out that their house is larger on the outside than on the inside, and gets creepier from there. And wrapped around that story is the notes by the young man who found the unpublished essay, and slowly goes crazy while reading and annotating it. There are pictures, and sideways text, and footnotes in the middle of the page...it's strange, and worth a look.