Barborossa Returns

It is June 22 again, the anniversary of the ill-fated German attack on Russia during WWII and my birthday. As it is far enough into summer for everyone to be off doing other things and there are plenty of other things to draw their attention I wonder how many will remember this year.

First Gift

It was there, sitting outside the front door in a large Macy's box waiting to be found. Our first wedding gift. Opening the cardboard box revealed a second, smaller white box with a white bow on it from someone with the last name of Heinrich which I did not recognize but hoped Loren would. And upon opening the second box there is sat. Out of layer after layer of protective bubble wrap it had come to sit there and and be smiled upon. Our first wedding present, a teapot.

The irony is rich given the dichotomy of drink tastes between Loren and myself. I liking all things hot as well as many other cooler drinks and he nearly loathing all things hot. We were both excited and highly amused by this first of gifts.

Progress

For those of you who have posted or e-mailed me book suggestions, many thanks. For those who haven't yet... I'm still waiting.

So here is the update on my reading given that I am no finished with school. That seems kind of odd. There is some much still happening. So much chance that I will be right back in the classroom in a couple years that I'm not sure I feel finished. We'll see. So reading.

I've gotten a couple e-mails with suggestions that once I have checked with the authors will post to the original post but if you have checked the comments you know I have a large list just there. Purchased 7 books, 4 today and 3 last weekend. The first 3 came from a visit to Powells with Mr Big who has yet to post or e-mail his list but who gave excellent suggestions.

That night I read Being Peace. Yes, you read that right, I read the book in its entirety last Saturday night in a what was a wonderful change in my reading habits. Being Peace is a Buddist text written by Thich Nhat Hanh who is a Vietnamese monk. It describes a Buddism that is intensely active and yet personally calming. Serving our world by finding our own peace and allowing it to work through us. This is the first Buddist text I've read since Sophomore year of high school but I find the same treasures in it that I found then. Not necessarily a new religion but a different way of approaching the spiritual journey that while specific to Buddism is beneficial in many situations.

The second book I purchased a week ago is Garrison Keillor's compilation of poems Good Poems. I enjoy this book differently than the average book that one sits down to with the goal of finishing before moving on to the next book. Instead of this format it is the book I grab in the morning, flip to a random page, and contemplate. Whether it is simple contemplation of the content of the poem that is before me or the oddity in the choice fate made when I randomly opened the book. I like this form of reading it best because I do not feel that it is something I must get through but little jewels each to be appreciated in its own time and for its own merits.

The third book that I received last week is The Autobiography of Malcom X (As Told to Alex Haley). This is the one that I am sure I will soon finish given that I no longer have classes, tests and studying to compete with it as I did this last week and I am already nearly halfway through it. I must admit an ignorance about Malcom X prior to the discussion of this book and my journey through it. My ignorance was neither positive nor negative it was simply a lack of any real knowledge beyond name recognition. At this point in the story my impression is that of awe and disbelief. It is an amazing story that almost seems to vivid to really be someones life and our Hero has barely made it to 18. I will be heading to a comfy couch as soon as I am done here to continue his story.

Given that I will soon be done with my first two full books and am lazily making my way through the third I went to the book store again today. I picked up 4 more books: Velvet Elvis, Zen and The Art of Motercycle Maintenance, Marx's The Comunist Manifesto, and Machiavelli's The Prince. Two of these, The Comunist Manifesto and The Prince are classic pieces I have been interested in since my first year at PSU and my first year at PUC respectively. The other two are suggestion of Rali that I find interesting me as I find myself in a seeking place spiritually once more.

I think I have blogged sufficiently to buy me many months before my next post :)
P.S. If you haven't posted yet please do so, I don't want to have to call in the mouse mafia on you.

Book Search

I'm graduating.

It doesn't seem like much, just the end of a journey used to milk family and friends for congratulations and gifts. Or maybe just one more bus stop where a brief break will be taken before I rejoin the student masses for some other form of learning. I didn't make the right choices, I have the wrong major, but somehow I still go the right job. So now what?

I finally get to read.

It seems ludicrious, I know, with all of the reading that I didn't keep up on over the last 5 years that I would say that I haven't been able to read. But it is the context that matters. I have read textbooks, articles, and silly novels that provide brain candy and a break from the more serious, scholarly reading, but I haven't really read.

I haven't read books that interest and challenge me. That have nothing to do with tax or auditing or high school opinions on the latest play. But now I can. But now I find myself so disconnected from the literary world that I do not know what to read.

Help.

Help me find the books I need to read. No accounting, no frilly novels. Something strong and challenging or soft and subtle in its sweet poetry.

Help.






P.S. If you suggest a book you must explain why it is worth reading.