GET OUT AND VOTE!!!

So I’m 32 and this is the first time I’ve ever voted.  You think I would have voted before since we elect my boss, but this is the first time I’ve been as involved in the political process.  I’ve noticed that this election has divided households and most everyone seems to have a strong opinion as to who should be elected as the next president.

I was going to say that I don’t care who you vote for, but that would be a lie.  I do care, but it is your choice, so just make it.  Otherwise, don’t complain (unless you think we elected the wrong person, then I guess you can complain if you must).

Just get out there and cast your ballot.

Slacking off

So obviously I haven’t been writing all that much lately.  My last post was a couple of weeks ago and it wasn’t much.  I’m trying to shift gears and get away from the political/ religious commentary.  I haven’t even been reading the blogs I normally read.  I was going to call this post “Catching up…” but I was beat to that title.  Thanks Sandy!

Anywho.  I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately.  By most people’s standards, it probably isn’t all that much, but I read slowly, so it takes me longer to get through books.  So a little can seem like I lot if you do it slowly.  Sandy says that it is because I read every word, but I’m so intent on catching every detail that I can’t skip too many words and if I do I always feel like I’m missing something and I go back to re-read it.

So, I finally finished “A Bridge Too Far.”  For a history book, it was superbly written.  Sometimes I felt like it was a little ridiculous to keep up with every little individual in the battle, but it made the battles more personal and the first hand accounts gave a great perspective.

Next, I decided to go for some fiction.  I got “The Last Templar” for my birthday and hadn’t gotten to it yet.  I finished it in early October or late September.  I was initially very interested.  I had hoped that it would be similar to “The Jester” by James Patterson, but I was disappointed.  This book seemed to be very similar to the Da Vinci Code, but instead of the investigation centered around art history, it was based on archaeological findings.  The beginning started off pretty good, then it slumped.  I was pretty disappointed with the ending.  Here’s my review from Shelfari:

I wasn’t really impressed. The story line and plot were mediocre. If you’re interested in the Knights Templar, this book only barely touches on the actions during the 13th century. I was hoping that this novel would be similar to The Jester by James Patterson and give us a fictional life during the time of the Crusades, but that was not the case. Most of this story takes place in the present time. Similar to the Da Vinci Code, but based more on archaeology instead of art history.

And the good news, last night I finished Brisingr, by Christopher Paolini.  I enjoyed this addition to the Inheritance Cycle.  For those that don’t know me that well, I really enjoy reading Harry Potter and other fantasy books.  This series was right up my alley.  I was a little unimpressed with the second book in this series, but I flew through this one.  I think it was written better and had enough fight “scenes” to keep me interested.  Obviously these books aren’t for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

What’s Next?

Next I think I’ll shift back into some non-fiction stuff.  Maybe.  I’m thinking of reading either “On Killing” by Dave Grossman or “Band of Brothers” by Stephen Ambrose, but I don’t know.  I also picked up the most recent R.A. Salvatore book, “The Orc King” which centers around one of my favorite elves, Drizzit.  I know, I’m kind of a dork, but I think that it is good to keep the imgination flowing sometimes.  I’ll have to keep everyone updated.