When D and I started watching Pantheon, I thought that it will be just another science fiction animation series. Well… I was quite wrong.
The story went almost seamlessly from awkward teenage geeks to creation of universes. There were so many science fiction elements and human emotions packed into the two seasons, I needed a couple days to mind-digest the whole thing! 😛
Definitely not your regular science fiction.
Yesterday afternoon, I walked to the library to attend the first session of book covering (kaften).
There were seven volunteers, plus two librarians. First, there was a short demo by the older librarian. Then, we were each given two books to start with. There were sufficient guidelines and useful comments for me to learn and pick this up. There was a coffee break in between, a bit of chit-chatting, and then a continuation with more books. The two hours went by quickly and all the new books were wrapped.
I have never covered books in sticky plastic before, and the last time I wrapped my text books (in brown paper) were in the 70s and 80s. I have learned a new thing. Yeah to that!
I shall continue doing this as long as I am able to. It is a small gesture of giving back to this community. Maybe I will even volunteer some time at the senior home, if they are looking for an extra pair of helping hands.
I am reading Phillip Blom’s Subjection (in Dutch) during the day, and Ted Chiang’s short stories (in English) before bedtime.
My head is simultaneously filled with historical facts and fictional tales. Pondering upon the past, a possible future, and the current world events can be rather mind boggling.
At times, I catch myself going ‘wait, what?’ when reading. The line between facts and fictions is rather thin these days… 😐
When I read a book, my mind travels beyond space and time. Reading transports me into the past, the future, to experience other people’s realities or to savour the authors’ glorious make-beliefs.
To read is to travel.
It is amazing that I came across, not one, but two very good Dutch language books this year. Leren van de rijken (Learning from the rich), reinforces so many of the practices that I believe in. The authour ended the book with a quote from Bob Marley:
“Love the life you live.
Live the life you love.”
A good book tells you stories that you will not easily forget. A good book provides you with information gradually and effectively.
The month August is at its end, summer is almost over, and I have finished reading several books in the past eight months.
If I have to name the best book I have read so far in 2023; I will have to surprise you, and myself, by nominating a non-fiction in Dutch entitled: De diefstal van de eeuw (The Theft of the Century).
When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective.
Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Last evening, D and I watched the movie Rebel. What an incredible film experience!
Yet I wonder…
Would I be able to really understand the story and the characters if I did not grow up in Malaysia and currently live in Belgium?
Last Sunday afternoon, D and I went to Marke for its annual garden fair. It was rainy, but that did not stop many die-hard gardeners from doing their rounds. This year, D and I did not purchase any plants; nor cheese, sausages, honey, or soap. Instead we drank beer in the rain, under a tree, next to the stand. Before heading home, we bought a few bottles of beer (the ones that we have not tasted) and a small jar of paté.
A few hours later, D and I were on our way again, this time to Gent. D won a couple of movie tickets, and Supereroi is only shown at a limited number of cinemas. The weather was miserable in Gent as well, but I can always make allowance for my first European city.
Why was the film Supereroi categorized as a comedy? I did not hear a single laugh during the entire movie, even though there were only five of us in the theatre. To me, it was not funny ha ha, but intense, complicated, and sorrowful.
Someone was interested in the book ‘The No Asshole Rule’, which I placed on the second-hand website almost two years ago. The person wanted to buy it for half the price I asked. D rolled the ball back to the potential buyer, negotiating for 80% of the asking price, plus sending cost. It was a no go.
There was really no loss on neither side. Potential buyer did not want the book enough to pay for what I asked, and I did not need to part with the book that desperately…
I bought the book at SFO, after a business trip to China. Do not make a book worm wait at an airport for hours, for no good reasons.
