#18 "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee Part 1

Layla three summers ago on
our way to the drive-in

Today I am heading towards our Main library, nestled in the middle of downtown Fort Wayne, to pick up a couple of books to read for the next installments of my blog. "Choke" by Chuck Palahniuk (author of "Fight Club") and "The Invention of Curried Sausage" by Uwe Timm. As I'm driving I fiddle around with the radio searching for vibrations that will be pleasant for my auditory system. Miley Cyrus...the thought of that tongue hanging out and her fanny jiggling really makes me nauseous. Nope!! Chris Brown, (unfortunately I do like some songs) is a girlfriend beater. Nope. ESPN radio, eh, rehashing, for the 5th straight day, Seahawks Richard Sherman's unsportsmanlike behavior towards 49er's Michael Crabtree after the Seattle win. Nope. Here we go, good ole wholesome Led Zepplin. While cruising to "Whole Lotta Love" I get a little frustrated with the slow driver ahead of me (probably some old person who can't see well, motor functions slow). They really should have their license revoked by now. Stopped at a light, I see a man holding a sign asking for money. I wonder how they got into this position. Lose a job, alcohol, drugs, or just bad luck. The slow driving lady hands him some money. I have $1.25 change in my pocket from my efforts digging in between my car seats, arm rest and our saving for vacation jar which only has pennies in it, however I was planning on buying a Mountain Dew at work with it. Hmm...I'll just drive and not look at him and maybe he won't notice. By the next block my guilt fades. What's wrong with this lady? The roads are only slightly icy (do I sound like a douchebag yet?)

Entering downtown. I remember in the fall running along this bike path and at this point I turned back around. I wasn't really in the mood to get mugged that day running through the city with its ramshackled houses, abandoned buildings with boarded up windows, discount liquor and 20 past 4 pot-shops, and sketchy looking walkers on the street. Ugh, another person with a sign. Don't look. Finally a two lane road. I zoom past that slow lady and give her the stink eye. In fact the woman is my age with a child in a car seat in the back. I arrive at the library's garage, take my daughter out of the back seat and give her a kiss on the cheek (which she loves) and place her in the stroller. On the way up to the audio/video section my daughter and I receive passing glances maybe due to her yells in delight (she loves these excursions and screaming too). Some people smile and tell her she is so beautiful which they receive a smile or a zoned out stare. When they look up at me it's with that kind smile perhaps thinking what a good father I am. Good daddy? Yes, but very flawed. If you want to, this is a good time to pause and praise my wife for her courage for putting up with me and that she loves me in spite of all my
shortcomings.



I have heard and observed many such comments and behaviors as these: I don't like Sherman because of his actions after the game and since he plays for Seattle who signed him they must not be a good organization either therefore I don't like Seattle. Sponsors drop their spokesmen for just one negative comment out of fear they would lose business. If any such people are like me we tend to project our values and morals onto others and what we believe becomes some kind of litmus test for right and wrong. -I don't drive that way so that means they are a bad driver. -I don't believe in speaking in tongues so anybody who believes otherwise is a pagan. -I'll speak out against homosexuality because it's wrong in the Bible but I don't love my spouse anymore so it's okay to get a divorce. I would never say if there were more people like me in this world it would be a better place. Nobody would read my blogs, everyone would be giving each other the stink eye while driving, and money wouldn't go to charities and the homeless but to Pepsi and Haribo (gummi bears). If I can't pass my own test why judge others for their failure?

There are 3 figures(one fictional) I hold in high esteem: Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr., and Atticus Finch, the father in "To Kill a Mockingbird". They fought to break this divide that our prejudices created and they met adversity every step of the way. Jesus teaches about the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37, James teaches on prejudice James 2:1-13. Jesus and the woman caught in adultery John 7:53-8:11. The theme of all is MERCY. Not mercy to those that deserve it but to those who need it. Martin Luther King Jr. discusses our prejudice as a internal issue and ignorance.

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?'

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr_2.html#w6iFbltu334VYYV1.99

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?'

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr_2.html#w6iFbltu334VYYV1.99

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?'

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr_2.html#w6iFbltu334VYYV1.99

Atticus's advice to his daughter Scout Finch: "If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it." To be continued...

#17 "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

The date May 19, 1999. Roughly 7 months before the presumed Y2K epidemic. I am waiting in a long line with a few coworker friends periodically checking our watches (YES this is how we USED to tell time), the time ticking away slowly as if I were waiting for the bell to sound during 7th period in high school announcing that it's time to go home. There is excited sounds of commotion that hovers around me like a swarm of bees. Everyone around me seems to be antsy as well. We all have been waiting for this day for almost 8 months since the announcement. As I scan along the roped off line there are many people wearing brown cloaks, rugby polo shirts, and an assortment of graphic tee shirts. A couple of people, not sure if men or women, had painted faces carrying florescent sticks. The few women interspersed throughout definitely improved the appearance and, yes, the smell of the multitude. Did you guess where I was? No, I wasn't going to a rave, close, but at the movie theater getting ready to watch "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" opening day.

A movie like "Star Wars" has appealed to all types of people and over many generations, however taking pleasure in a few Scifi films such as "Stars Wars", "Star Trek", and "Aliens" makes someone a science fiction nerd fan as much as liking Nine Inch Nails, and KMFDM, dying the hair black, wearing a Korn Shirt, dating a sexually confused chick, whose hangout is at "freak" dance clubs/gay bar, makes one a goth. At least that is what I was told by a few of her more seasoned goth friends. Seems that societies "outcasts" are an exclusive bunch. Isn't that special?

When choosing "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov I was hoping to rebound from my not so enjoyable experience reading my first scifi novel, "2001: A Space Odyssey". Asimov, the godfather of science fiction, wrote hundreds of books based on this subject and was Vice President of Mensa International at one point during his membership there according to "I Asimov, A Memoir". He's SMART. I'm Joey Tribbiani  brainy from "Friends" compared to him, but that is a moo point. You know it's like a cows opinion, it doesn't matter. It's Moo! My wife and I, however, enjoyed that Will Smith movie with the same name and I do rather enjoy a good futuristic tale so have at it.

I will start by saying to those who might read "I, Robot" that besides a few of the same characters(Dr. Lanning, Susan Calvin, the robots) the book and movie are like angus beef burger and Boca burger to each other.

 "I, Robot" the novel.
The year is 2057 and the advancement of robot technology has created a world where robot machines exist together with humans inharmoniously. The ability of the robot to mimic every movement besides facial expression and the installation of a positronic brain(giving the robots the ability for critical thinking) had to be balanced with the 3 Laws of Robotics:
1. A robot may not harm a human, or , through inaction, allow a human to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by humans except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect it's own existence as long as it doesn't conflict with the first 2 Laws.
The Laws programmed into this positronic brain prevented the robots from overpowering the humans with their superior intellect and physicality.

The novel is a collection of 9 quizzical stories explained in an interview by Susan Calvin on how these 3 Laws have been applied throughout the technological advancements of Robotics. 7 out of the 9 stories required humans to investigate the actions of their robot counterparts to get make sense of their dire dilemmas. Each story and each chapter brought in a unique robot with it's puzzling situation requiring the robopsychologists(Susan Calvin) help. One robot's a mind reader that aims to tell each person it comes into contact with what they want to hear to make them happy. Another robot was ordered to get lost by a frustrated human which it did but its first law was slightly manipulated for the purposes of the government(what a surprise) so it became an expensive liability. Here's a funny one. A robot who didn't believe humans created him, instead believing this mainframe machine was his master bringing a consequence to the first law of robotics. Robots' logic states that it's not probable that a inferior life form can create something superior to themselves.

I had some fun reading this science fiction novel but I had to make sure to have take aspirin
beforehand due to the amount of make believe technical terms used by the author. I had to keep reminding myself to just follow the story but I had to look up others thoughts on some peculiar sentences. It drove me nuts sometimes. I have ADHD and I just learned that we read differently then normal readers in the fact we read word, word, word, and not whole sentences with fluidity. How easier my goal would be if I tackled books that way. If only there were a CCKV(community college kids version) or NDDV(new dumbed down version) I would have enjoyed it much more.

bookinthroughbooks: #16 "The Hobbit" by J. R. R. Tolkien

bookinthroughbooks: #13 "The Hobbit" by J. R. R. Tolkien: "My friend, I am going to tell you a story of my life, as you wish; and if it were only the story of my life I think I would not tell i...

#16 "The Hobbit" by J. R. R. Tolkien

"My friend, I am going to tell you a story of my life, as you wish; and if it were only the story of my life I think I would not tell it; for what is one man that he should make much of his winters, even when they bend him like a heavy snow?"- Black Elk.










Over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays my wife and I, who love to watch epic movies, went to see "Hunger Games Catching Fire" and "The Hobbit The Desolation of Smaug", both the second movies in their trilogy. Am I going to wait another year to find out how this will end. I don't think so. Of course I went to the local library and read both books. No I didn't actually read "Catching Fire" but I am guessing the movie captured it's essence. I only had to read one book for "The Hobbit" trilogy. How do you make 3 movies out of a 272 page book? A lot of creative licensing. Luckily that book was also on "The List". Another one bites the dust.

Worth $36,000

While reading I was feeling nostalgic about the time when I was a child and I would sit on my bedroom floor with my Disney's Read-Along books for hours. While listening to the person reading the book to me I would follow along with my own. The vibrating sounds of the "The Rescuers", "The Fox and the Hound", "Peter Pan", and yes "The Hobbit" are still fresh in my memory. As I continue reading I hardly recognize anything about the story besides there being a little person in it. I am sure the title gave that one away. For a children's book it has a broader vocabulary than "The Hunger Games" which is geared more towards teenagers.

This J. R. R. Tolkien tale is an adventure story about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Cleverly thrown into a dangerous quest to steal treasure from a dangerous dragon whom stole it from Bilbo's traveling companions, the dwarves. Not the cute little interestingly named seven dwarfs but a collection of ill tempered, greedy, whiney, and probably smelly ragamuffins. Just another day at work for me. Joking...sort of.






Initially selected by the wizard Gandalf to be a burglar for this group of misfits he eventually was called to provide many different services for the crew. He was asked to be a spy, to break all the dwarves out of jail located deep inside the elf tunnel fortress, and to loosen the group out of their cocoon webbing created by giant spiders while fending them off from their potent attacks. He had to be a voice of reason through the constant rumble of belly aching, the inspiration when all hope was lost. When everyone else sat around sulking Bilbo stepped up to take on the leadership role. The result was grumbling about his decisions.

The first few chapters in many novels like this one sets the stage but I always like to pay close attention to the endings of stories because usually this is where the secret of the true intention of the writer unfolds. The wrap up is the authors last chance to nail his point in. He's been tapping it in slowly with each experience in the novel and finally drives it through at the end. One goal of the author was to take the reader through Bilbo's transformation from an easy-going, unadventurous, homebody to a confident, bold, cunning, level-headed adventurer. Why is that important? Sometimes it is good to be forced outside of our comfort zones because when our backs are up against the wall we can achieve feats beyond our wildest dreams. Another thought comes to mind about "The Hobbit": those who are strong and adept, as with the dwarves, rely on the confidence of their abilities and when a challenge seems to be more than their skills can handle courage wanes. Bilbo possessed the abilities from the beginning but it wasn't until the opportunity presented itself for him to recognize that he had the strength and courage all along. "The Hobbit" ranks as one of the greatest underdog stories of all time and surely deserves to be included on the list of "1001 Books to Read Before You Die".

# 15 "Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice

When I start my shift at work I usually listen to music or talk to my coworkers for the first couple of hours. At 6:40 in the morning my brain's gas tank needle that usually points towards a quarter of a tank is sitting on E. So, with the help of Target's yummy variety of flavored coffees and a shuffled list of music containing Metallica, Now Hits, 80s hits, U2, Tom Petty, and POD, I am usually ready to listen to my books with my almost undivided attention. I also like to spend some time talking to my coworkers. No matter how much I enjoy reading not many things can replace human interaction. I've never seen the new movie titled "Her" but I would have a hard time choosing to have a relationship with a computer operating system even if the voice is Scarlett Johansson. One of these weeks at work I listened to the audio book "Interview with the Vampire".
In "Interview with the Vampire" the vampire Louis details for his interviewer the cursed life he has to suffer, not by choice, but because of another vampire named Lestat who made him this way. Now I'm a vampire. What am I supposed to do with this? The quest for knowledge about his new life begins and unfortunately his only source of information initially was with the one who infected him. How convenient.

I can't help but compare my life with Louis'. I wouldn't say TODAY that I would view my life as cursed. I can however relate with the feeling of being thrown into a hopeless situation. I remember the day my wife and I brought home our first baby girl. Now what are we supposed to do? I've read books about being a dad but nothing prepared me for the real thing. Is her poop supposed to explode up her back? She cries all the time. Is it colic? When will she finally sleep through the night? For us that would be at 3 1/2 years old. At four months old we found out after she started having seizures that she has a rare neurological disorder called lissencephaly. We could only find a minimal amount of information about it and all of it was negative. Very few books published about her disorder and doctors, family, and friends had no advice to give. We were told she would not live past the age of 2 years, that she would experience impossible to control seizures, she would need a feeding tube, she would require suctioning of her throat to prevent choking on her own saliva, and severe disability. Most of it was unfortunately true but my wife found a group of people whose children were suffering from the same situation. Through their guidance, support, and friendship we have survived many difficult times and learned how best to help her live a more comfortable and happy life. My different take on a common saying; misery loves needs company. She is a happy and healthy almost 4 year old today thankfully.

Normal brain

Lissencephaly brain

In the case of Louis he was a slave to Lestat and the latter knew it. The tale takes place in the late 1700s and early 1800s. There was no Internet, accessibility of books was limited and who will you ask that will know more about your new self than someone just like you. Louis had questions and Lestat was baiting him with the few answers he was willing to give. By doing this Lestat was the one constantly in control. Fortunately the lissencephaly friends my wife found were forthwith with any information they could help us with. I am in no way saying our friends are like vampires just to clarify. Just that our need for information was similar to Louis' need for information.

While Bramstoker's "Dracula" discusses the details of a vampire and the attempts to kill it, Rice's "Interview with the Vampire" reveals the other side of the story. If we were to be put in Louis' shoes as a vampire how would we handle it? Among the many plot lines in the story the main focus was the moral issues Louis comes face to face with. Would we have a problem taking a person's life to sustain our own? Am I doomed to live an eternity in hell when I finally die? By taking my own life now before I kill someone will it bring me salvation? How do you make someone a vampire? The books and movies I have seen recently about this topic have glamorized this life. Special powers sounds appealing but at what cost? Eternity sounds fun but to accomplish that we have to commit murder over and over again. To kill just one person can have tremendous side effects to our mental state. Look at what war does to people. PTSD. I enjoyed Rice's take on the life of a vampire. It seems like a more realistic outcome than other points of view.

Rice also reveals in her story about temptation. In the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 7:19, "For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." The life of a vampire is comparable to the fight against temptation. Initially we are able to be strong but the thirst starts to become overwhelming and eventually we do what Paul described.

I was told by a friend of mine for encouragement that all the suffering our family has to endure will eventually pass. I'll amend another saying. There are two three certainties in life: death, taxes, and pain. I agree that our ordeal will ultimately come to an end but the pain won't. It will only change form. The day our daughter is taken away from us will be a day a big part of me dies too. The only release from this pain is through our death.