Let`s blog and twitter, birds

[Bonobo]

Hey, guys, what is the practical need behind a blog? Isn`t it an electronic diary where people spin yarn about their everyday life and describe and comment on everything what happens to them, even complete trifles?

I though it might be worth creating a thread of this type.

Do you think you would like to join in with your musings? If yes, should everyone have their seperate thread, e.g., Jeanne`s Musings, or will it be enough to run it in one thread?

What you think?

[jeanne]

hmmm...about this blog thing...Do people really care about the details of someone else's life?

I guess if someone were really creative they could make the blog really interesting and entertaining, but who has the time or energy to put into that? Besides, I'm kind of a private person and I don't know if I really want to share the details of my life, mundane as they are, with the entire internet world...

Maybe, however, if Bonobo could give us a demonstration of what he has in mind, I could be adventurous and give it a try...

[valpomike]

Today we went hunting, I shot a tiger, and we ate it for supper.
On Tuesday, I have two brain surgery's to do, in the A.M.
The Clinton's are coming over for supper on Sunday.
Next week we are traveling, we are going to the moon.

Slow week, how about you.

[jeanne]

Jun 2, 2008 1:43:22 GMT 1 valpomike said:

Today we went hunting, I shot a tiger, and we ate it for supper.
On Tuesday, I have two brain surgery's to do, in the A.M.
The Clinton's are coming over for supper on Sunday.
Next week we are traveling, we are going to the moon.

Slow week, how about you.

Wow, Mike! I guess you've been holding back on showing us the real you!

[Bonobo]

Jun 2, 2008 1:43:22 GMT 1 valpomike said:

Today we went hunting, I shot a tiger, and we ate it for supper.
On Tuesday, I have two brain surgery's to do, in the A.M.
The Clinton's are coming over for supper on Sunday.
Next week we are traveling, we are going to the moon.

Slow week, how about you.

That is really awesome, Mike, ;D ;D ;D ;D how about providing more???

[Bonobo]

Jun 1, 2008 23:15:41 GMT 1 jeanne said:

hmmm...about this blog thing...Do people really care about the details of someone else's life?

Yes, I would like to know more details of your life, no matter how mundane it is.... ;D ;D ;D

I guess if someone were really creative they could make the blog really interesting and entertaining, but who has the time or energy to put into that? Besides, I'm kind of a private person and I don't know if I really want to share the details of my life, mundane as they are, with the entire internet world...

Not entire, just us.

Maybe, however, if Bonobo could give us a demonstration of what he has in mind, I could be adventurous and give it a try...

Seriously, I mean not all details of your everyday life but single thoughts which come to your mind and then trivially disappear. I would like to save them.... Each one counts...

OK, here is a demonstration. ;D ;D ;D

I have a big problem choosing my shoes. Most shoes don`t fit, I don`t mean the size, but the overall comfort of my feet. And it doesn`t matter if they are expensive designer shoes or cheap Chinese production. Actually, they are all the same.
It is difficult to make a decision in the shoe store. Walking a few steps to and fro isn`t enough to learn how the shoes will work on my feet later on.
What a dilemma I have each time I need to buy shoes! A few times I promised myself to return to the store and buy another pair of the shoes which I found out to be fitting well and providing comfort for my feet. But I have never come back..... I always forget....

What about you, Jeanne? Do you have the same problems? Please, comment on my blog entry about shoes, I really need this feedback.


Another demonstration ;D ;D ;D

I mentioned comfort before. I wanted to be green and now I have a dilemma. Last week , during lonesome shopping with a shopping list made by my wife, I bought a packet of toilet paper. Being environmentally -aware and -friendly, I picked the grey recycled one. However, today, using it is very painful as it is a bit rough.
What should I do? Be persistent in my endevours to take care of the environment or rather seek my own comfort?

Have you ever had such a dilemma in your life?


Jeanne, I think two demonstrations are enough. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[jeanne]

[td][/td]

Jun 3, 2008 0:05:51 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

Not entire, just us.

There's no such thing as 'just us' on the internet. Once it's out there it's available to the whole world...scary thought!

[valpomike]

The truth is, I am a Private Investigator, and have been doing this work for over twenty five years, the last twenty years, for my own firm. Now due to my age, I only pick and choose the work I want to do.

My main love is travel, and I love Poland, and have been there a few times, and will be going back, if not this year, next for sure.

In my work, I do everything, and sometimes, something new.
I love this work, since, I never know what I will be doing next.

I will never retire, since I do love this work, and it pays very well.

I am the grandfather of three, and the father of four.

I have been married for 39 years, to the same women.

This is my life, now tell me of yours.

[jeanne]

Jun 3, 2008 0:05:51 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

OK, here is a demonstration. ;D ;D ;D

I have a big problem choosing my shoes. Most shoes don`t fit, I don`t mean the size, but the overall comfort of my feet. And it doesn`t matter if they are expensive designer shoes or cheap Chinese production. Actually, they are all the same.
It is difficult to make a decision in the shoe store. Walking a few steps to and fro isn`t enough to learn how the shoes will work on my feet later on.
What a dilemma I have each time I need to buy shoes! A few times I promised myself to return to the store and buy another pair of the shoes which I found out to be fitting well and providing comfort for my feet. But I have never come back..... I always forget....

What about you, Jeanne? Do you have the same problems? Please, comment on my blog entry about shoes, I really need this feedback.

Actually, Bonobo, this is the exact same problem that I have. Perhaps it is a problem common to teachers and others who are on their feet much of the workday. I am very glad that my job does not involve sitting at a desk or at a computer all day, for then I would probably have problems with another part of my anatomy...ever heard of 'secretary spread'? But none the less, having problems with one's feet is no laughing matter.

Complicating the problem for me, however, is that I am a woman and should, I suppose, attempt to be 'fashionable'. This only discourages me, however, from wearing the very ugliest of shoes. 'Comfort' is the watchword of my shoe wardrobe. Just seeing one of the young teachers walking down the hall wearing spike heels immediately throws my back into spasms and my feet into limping mode. So the problem arises for me to find shoes which not only feel comfortable, but also look somewhat attractive. This is virtually impossible. It is probably a conspiracy of men who get some kind of sick pleasure by designing women's shoes to be torture boxes.

Bad shoes are only part of the problem of painful feet which is plaguing me now. With the coming of the beautiful spring weather, I have been attempting to keep up my fitness with walking. We had a 3 day weekend for the Memorial Day holiday recently and on each of the 3 days I went for a long walk. Everything was fine, I felt very healthy and invigorated until I went back to school and was on my feet for most of the day.
Something began hurting in my right foot, so badly that I needed to stop my exercise walking for several days. Gradually I have been venturing out for walks of increasing lengths, but have found that from favoring the sore foot, my leg has begun to hurt!

Bonobo, I started out attempting to comment on your entry, but look, it has now deteriorated into complaining about my aches and pains! Have you had enough???

[Bonobo]

Jun 3, 2008 1:58:34 GMT 1 jeanne said:

[td]

[/td]

Jun 3, 2008 0:05:51 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

Not entire, just us.

There's no such thing as 'just us' on the internet. Once it's out there it's available to the whole world...scary thought!
[/quote]

Come on, your FBI isn`t so dangerous. They are only after terrorists!

[Bonobo]

Jun 3, 2008 2:31:01 GMT 1 valpomike said:

The truth is, I am a Private Investigator, and have been doing this work for over twenty five years, the last twenty years, for my own firm. Now due to my age, I only pick and choose the work I want to do.
My main love is travel, and I love Poland, and have been there a few times, and will be going back, if not this year, next for sure.
In my work, I do everything, and sometimes, something new.
I love this work, since, I never know what I will be doing next.
I will never retire, since I do love this work, and it pays very well.
I am the grandfather of three, and the father of four.
I have been married for 39 years, to the same women.
This is my life, now tell me of yours.

I am a teacher of English. It pays very well because a lot of people want to learn English in Poland nowadays. I do it for my own firm, yes, so I pay taxes, not like other dishonest teachers who give private lessons and avoid taxation.

I have been teaching for 17 years now and don`t have enough although I have started observing first signs of exhaustion in me, especially shortly before holidays.

Hey, did I mention holidays?

During holidays we travel too, there are so many nice places to see in Poland. You will see pics soon.

I have been married for 10 years.

What? Did I say ten years? We are going to celebrate the anniversary in August then!

[Bonobo]

Jun 3, 2008 2:32:38 GMT 1 jeanne said:

Actually, Bonobo, this is the exact same problem that I have. Perhaps it is a problem common to teachers and others who are on their feet much of the workday. I am very glad that my job does not involve sitting at a desk or at a computer all day, for then I would probably have problems with another part of my anatomy..

I know some teachers who prefer sitting all day at the table.

.ever heard of 'secretary spread'?

Nope, but thanks for mentioning it.

Complicating the problem for me, however, is that I am a woman and should, I suppose, attempt to be 'fashionable'. This only discourages me, however, from wearing the very ugliest of shoes. 'Comfort' is the watchword of my shoe wardrobe. Just seeing one of the young teachers walking down the hall wearing spike heels immediately throws my back into spasms and my feet into limping mode.

I have never worn high heels but I can try one day, like this academic teacher in Wrocław.

Bad shoes are only part of the problem of painful feet which is plaguing me now. With the coming of the beautiful spring weather, I have been attempting to keep up my fitness with walking. We had a 3 day weekend for the Memorial Day holiday recently and on each of the 3 days I went for a long walk.

A walk in the city park or did you go out of town?

Something began hurting in my right foot, so badly that I needed to stop my exercise walking for several days. Gradually I have been venturing out for walks of increasing lengths, but have found that from favoring the sore foot, my leg has begun to hurt!

We are not getting any younger, unfortunately.

Bonobo, I started out attempting to comment on your entry, but look, it has now deteriorated into complaining about my aches and pains! Have you had enough???

Well, the beginnings are always difficult. But I am sure the thread will develop into sth more than aches and complaints.

Tomorrow I have a longer break between lessons at school, so I am going to write what kind of teacher I would like to be instead of English one. Any guesses?

PS. Jeanne, what about the other problem of staying green or staying comfortable? ;D

[valpomike]

I love working the streets for information. No, I have never been a policeman, but came close once.

[jeanne]

Jun 5, 2008 20:30:19 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

I know some teachers who prefer sitting all day at the table.

If one does this in elementary school, one loses any sense of order or control of the class!

I have never worn high heels but I can try one day, like this academic teacher in Wrocław.

I remember that guy from the other thread.

A walk in the city park or did you go out of town?

I live in a small, semi-rural town situated on the banks of a major river. My short dead-end street runs from Main Street down to the river. If I leave my street and turn left, I walk along Main Street as it parallels the river. I can enjoy the scenic river vistas and the quaint, historic houses along the way with their lovely gardens. If I leave my street and turn right onto Main Street, the scenery is more rural with fewer houses and more woods, fields, and a stream which runs under Main Street on its way to the river. Here I can see beavers working on their dam quite close to my home. Along both routes, I can see other wildlife and especially my favorite, BIRDS. Bald eagles, which were once endangered, now nest along the river, and frequently I see one flying above. I see Great Blue Herons (similar to Polish storks) wading in streams and along the river. There are also Belted Kingfishers which hover like helicopters over the water, then dive straight down, splashing into the water as they catch their dinner of fish. I love living in this town which has all the pleasures of a small town, but is still just 30 miles from Boston... I am definitely a 'country mouse', not a 'city mouse'. It is nice to have a major city nearby with easy access to its benefits, but it's just very nice to have my town to return to when the city business is done.

We are not getting any younger, unfortunately.

No, we aren't!...and I've got a head start on you!

Tomorrow I have a longer break between lessons at school, so I am going to write what kind of teacher I would like to be instead of English one. Any guesses?

History, of course!

PS. Jeanne, what about the other problem of staying green or staying comfortable? ;D

Yes, I can see how this can be a problem... The only solution I can think of for you is to move to the US where we have tissue that is not only green, but also comfortable. But, take heart, with all the progress Poland is making, it won't be long before things improve for you! In the meantime...just sit tight! ;D

[locopolaco]

rough it out for the environment bonobo. ;D

[Bonobo]

Jun 6, 2008 1:31:35 GMT 1 jeanne said:

Jun 5, 2008 20:30:19 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

I know some teachers who prefer sitting all day at the table.

If one does this in elementary school, one loses any sense of order or control of the class!

Yes, correct.

I remember that guy from the other thread.

;D

I live in a small, semi-rural town situated on the banks of a major river. My short dead-end street runs from Main Street down to the river. If I leave my street and turn left, I walk along Main Street as it parallels the river. I can enjoy the scenic river vistas and the quaint, historic houses along the way with their lovely gardens. If I leave my street and turn right onto Main Street, the scenery is more rural with fewer houses and more woods, fields, and a stream which runs under Main Street on its way to the river.

When other Americans make allusions that you practically live in the countryside, do you frown and deny, or do you happily agree? Is it a problem for you and your neighbours? I remember reading a book in which a couple of distiguished Americans have a complex because they were born and live to the west of the Hudson River, which suggests some deep American province.

Here I can see beavers working on their dam quite close to my home. Along both routes, I can see other wildlife and especially my favorite, BIRDS. Bald eagles, which were once endangered, now nest along the river, and frequently I see one flying above.

Great. I don`t think I have ever seen a beaver in the wild.
I would like to see an American eagle too. So far I saw them on TV only. Like this:

I see Great Blue Herons (similar to Polish storks) wading in streams and along the river. There are also Belted Kingfishers which hover like helicopters over the water, then dive straight down, splashing into the water as they catch their dinner of fish.

I don`t care for those birds so much as for eagles.

I love living in this town which has all the pleasures of a small town, but is still just 30 miles from Boston... I am definitely a 'country mouse', not a 'city mouse'. It is nice to have a major city nearby with easy access to its benefits, but it's just very nice to have my town to return to when the city business is done.

Yes, one day I would also like to move out of the big city. When kids grow up and are able to look after themselves, there will be no more need to stay in crowded, polluted Krakow.

No, we aren't!...and I've got a head start on you!

Hmm, I don`t know this idiom. Is it similar to giving head or something?

History, of course!

Yes, exactly, how do you know? hahahaha

Yes, I can see how this can be a problem... The only solution I can think of for you is to move to the US where we have tissue that is not only green, but also comfortable. But, take heart, with all the progress Poland is making, it won't be long before things improve for you! In the meantime...just sit tight! ;D

Hmm, I don`t think I will need to move. I suppose such paper is available in Poland too. However, I forgot to add that buying that recycled grey one, apart from staying green, I also wanted to constrain myself within the economy class of expenditure (how do you like my idiom hahahaha). Simply speaking, I can be really mean - I spend fortune on caviar and smoked eel but when it comes to paper, I turn into Scrooge.
Sorry for not notifying you about it before.

[Bonobo]

Jun 6, 2008 4:25:21 GMT 1 locopolaco said:

rough it out for the environment bonobo. ;D

I am going to finish that packet of paper I bought, there are a few rolls left, I don`t like when things waste away.

But in the future I will buy more delicate one.

[Bonobo]

Jun 6, 2008 1:31:35 GMT 1 jeanne said:

Tomorrow I have a longer break between lessons at school, so I am going to write what kind of teacher I would like to be instead of English one. Any guesses?


History, of course!

Yes, Jeanne, now Iam going to be so frank with all of you. I will open myself so that you can see my heart and soul (OK, this heart was a joke, all right?)

I am a teacher of English but I do it for money. Yes, I know, I am a commercial guy, like a typical American, focused on cash and dead presidents (in Poland dead kings) all the time, I hate myself for that. hahahahaha

But sometimes my long-cherished dream comes over me that I could be a History teacher. It is such a little desire of mine....

Firstly, I have always loved history. When I was in early grades of elementary school and didn` t have this subject yet, I used to borrow my older sister`s class books and peruse them. Even the lousy history teacher in my high school wasn`t able to kill the interest in history in me.

Secondly, one of my favourite books as a boy was Method for Alcybiades. The plot is set in boys-only school in 1960s. Alcybiades is a history teacher in class 8A full of lazy bones and school skippers. From their older colleagues they buy the Method to have better marks in History. The Method involved using the Drift - after a special historic provocation the students make the teacher forget about tests and knowledge checks, he is expected to fall into a drift and discuss certain historical issues in a free, easy going way, exchanging views with students.

Of course, you can guess what happens next. The Method works excellent, the teacher drifts on every lesson, but the boys get gradually fascinated with history. They take part in discussions, prepare complex historical projects, organize a history club in their school, stage historical performances etc. They soak with history against their will and expectations thanks to their great teacher.

I sometimes dream of being such a teacher myself. I imagine myself Alcybiades who was mild and unassuming but knew how to interest students with the subject. Knew or felt how to do it.

Let me translate for the the passage about the effects of the first drift of Alcybiades.

Alcybiades was drifting wonderfully. We realised that this time we luckily avoided the Babylon and its dark matters. We were listening with interest, without any trace of coercion and this unbearable tension which can spoil every lesson. Because it wasn` ta lesson at all! It was surely the most exciting drift that our school has ever seen. Alcybiades was speaking on his own, from time to time asking us what about our opinion. He was telling us things that were`nt in the class book. Nobody had ever talked to us in this way. probably because of the Method used he though we were more intelligent than we were, but we didn`t feel bothered that we couln`t understand some things. It was like going down into unexplored maze with a guide carryinhg a magic lamp. Every now and then the lamp cast a bright light and a colour image appeared from the dark. Sometimes the lamp went dim, and we could see nothing, but we knew we were standing next to the unknown door , that is was eniough to reach and feel it, then open and we would see a new wonderful sight. I could feel the taste of mystery and the excitement of discovery, and it was so pleasant. I promised myself to come back here one day to discover the whole secret.

Alcybiades`s voice was coming like from a distance. I wasn`t listening to him.I was just looking at those images appearing in the dark maze, and the voice was reaching me like from behinhd a wall or from an invisible speaker - stiffled and undisturbing. Because Alcybiades wasn`t with me any more. I was walking alone anmd probably a very long time ago.When THEY used to live. I was one of THEM and their deeds didn` t surpise me.

Suddenly the light stopped shining and the whole maze broke into tiny pieces with a twang. Every piece was ringing.

[locopolaco]

Jun 6, 2008 9:59:11 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

Jun 6, 2008 4:25:21 GMT 1 locopolaco said:

rough it out for the environment bonobo. ;D

I am going to finish that packet of paper I bought, there are a few rolls left, I don`t like when things waste away.

But in the future I will buy more delicate one.

do i need to send you some soft ones from here?

[locopolaco]

History, of course!

hmm, you come across somewhat like a history buff but i was going to say cultural teacher or social studies. history is stories and dates etc.. pretty dry... the other looks into cause and effect which is how you strike me.

[Bonobo]

Jun 7, 2008 1:02:46 GMT 1 locopolaco said:

Jun 6, 2008 9:59:11 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

I am going to finish that packet of paper I bought, there are a few rolls left, I don`t like when things waste away.

But in the future I will buy more delicate one.

do i need to send you some soft ones from here?

It is extremely kind of you, I would certainly be glad, and I almost made up my mind to accept your offer, but I just realised that carrying it over the ocean to Europe would harm the environment too much. That is why I must say no, thank you.

[Bonobo]

Jun 7, 2008 1:14:23 GMT 1 locopolaco said:

History, of course!

hmm, you come across somewhat like a history buff but i was going to say cultural teacher or social studies. history is stories and dates etc.. pretty dry... the other looks into cause and effect which is how you strike me.

I am a cultural teacher. I never swear in public and don`t advertise my preferences.

I only take photos of everything that moves in the vicinity of sight.

[jeanne]

Jun 6, 2008 9:57:21 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

When other Americans make allusions that you practically live in the countryside, do you frown and deny, or do you happily agree? Is it a problem for you and your neighbours? I remember reading a book in which a couple of distiguished Americans have a complex because they were born and live to the west of the Hudson River, which suggests some deep American province.

No, there is no stigma attached to living in the 'country' where I live. You have to remember that I live in the northeast part of the US (New England in particular) and we are considered the cultured, liberal sector of the US. Many people fled the cities for the suburbs in the 1950's and 1960's looking for relief from inner city problems. My town is just beyond the suburbs...it is a mixture of small, comfortable, well-kept homes built in the '60's (I live in one of these), historic homes built in the 1700's and 1800's, a few former and current small farms, and many of the new 'McMansions' which are huge, consume many resources and put their owners in great debt.

Other sections of the US do have negative connotations related to living in the country, where stereotypes depict the people as 'country bumpkins', etc. These sections are mostly in the South and the Midwest...

Great. I don`t think I have ever seen a beaver in the wild.
I would like to see an American eagle too. So far I saw them on TV only. Like this:

...not quite...

Yes, one day I would also like to move out of the big city. When kids grow up and are able to look after themselves, there will be no more need to stay in crowded, polluted Krakow.

It's ironic that you should say this, because my husband and I moved to this town when we were first married from the town we lived in very close to Boston. We did so to provide a better environment for our children to grow up in...better schools, no crime, less pollution, etc.

Hmm, I don`t know this idiom. Is it similar to giving head or something?

...ahem...noooo...a 'head start' means that someone has started something (a race, a project, etc.) somewhat ahead of the others and therefore has a better chance at finishing sooner. Since I am older than you, I have a 'head start' at reaching old age...and the prize in that race is a rather dubious one...

Yes, exactly, how do you know? hahahaha

...kind of obvious...

Yes, I can see how this can be a problem... The only solution I can think of for you is to move to the US where we have tissue that is not only green, but also comfortable. But, take heart, with all the progress Poland is making, it won't be long before things improve for you! In the meantime...just sit tight! ;D

Do you know the 'sit tight' idiom, or were you just afraid to ask because of the nature of the discussion? ;D

However, I forgot to add that buying that recycled grey one, apart from staying green, I also wanted to constrain myself within the economy class of expenditure (how do you like my idiom hahahaha).

Wow, you are dazzling me with your use of the language!

[jeanne]

Jun 6, 2008 10:42:20 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

Jun 6, 2008 1:31:35 GMT 1 jeanne said:

Tomorrow I have a longer break between lessons at school, so I am going to write what kind of teacher I would like to be instead of English one. Any guesses?


History, of course!

Yes, Jeanne, now Iam going to be so frank with all of you. I will open myself so that you can see my heart and soul (OK, this heart was a joke, all right?)

I am a teacher of English but I do it for money. Yes, I know, I am a commercial guy, like a typical American, focused on cash and dead presidents (in Poland dead kings) all the time, I hate myself for that. hahahahaha

But sometimes my long-cherished dream comes over me that I could be a History teacher. It is such a little desire of mine....

Firstly, I have always loved history. When I was in early grades of elementary school and didn` t have this subject yet, I used to borrow my older sister`s class books and peruse them. Even the lousy history teacher in my high school wasn`t able to kill the interest in history in me.

Secondly, one of my favourite books as a boy was Method for Alcybiades. The plot is set in boys-only school in 1960s. Alcybiades is a history teacher in class 8A full of lazy bones and school skippers. From their older colleagues they buy the Method to have better marks in History. The Method involved using the Drift - after a special historic provocation the students make the teacher forget about tests and knowledge checks, he is expected to fall into a drift and discuss certain historical issues in a free, easy going way, exchanging views with students.

Of course, you can guess what happens next. The Method works excellent, the teacher drifts on every lesson, but the boys get gradually fascinated with history. They take part in discussions, prepare complex historical projects, organize a history club in their school, stage historical performances etc. They soak with history against their will and expectations thanks to their great teacher.

I sometimes dream of being such a teacher myself. I imagine myself Alcybiades who was mild and unassuming but knew how to interest students with the subject. Knew or felt how to do it.

Let me translate for the the passage about the effects of the first drift of Alcybiades.

Alcybiades was drifting wonderfully. We realised that this time we luckily avoided the Babylon and its dark matters. We were listening with interest, without any trace of coercion and this unbearable tension which can spoil every lesson. Because it wasn` ta lesson at all! It was surely the most exciting drift that our school has ever seen. Alcybiades was speaking on his own, from time to time asking us what about our opinion. He was telling us things that were`nt in the class book. Nobody had ever talked to us in this way. probably because of the Method used he though we were more intelligent than we were, but we didn`t feel bothered that we couln`t understand some things. It was like going down into unexplored maze with a guide carryinhg a magic lamp. Every now and then the lamp cast a bright light and a colour image appeared from the dark. Sometimes the lamp went dim, and we could see nothing, but we knew we were standing next to the unknown door , that is was eniough to reach and feel it, then open and we would see a new wonderful sight. I could feel the taste of mystery and the excitement of discovery, and it was so pleasant. I promised myself to come back here one day to discover the whole secret.

Alcybiades`s voice was coming like from a distance. I wasn`t listening to him.I was just looking at those images appearing in the dark maze, and the voice was reaching me like from behinhd a wall or from an invisible speaker - stiffled and undisturbing. Because Alcybiades wasn`t with me any more. I was walking alone anmd probably a very long time ago.When THEY used to live. I was one of THEM and their deeds didn` t surpise me.

Suddenly the light stopped shining and the whole maze broke into tiny pieces with a twang. Every piece was ringing.

Bonobo,
This sounds like a great book! No wonder you liked it. I also like history and took many courses in college for the enjoyment. I didn't major in it because they stressed so much dates, wars, etc., and the part of history that I love is how the people during particular eras actually lived and how the 'historic' happenings of that particular time influenced their common, daily lives.

You should be daring and switch careers! Think how exciting that would be! ;D ;D ;D

[Bonobo]

Jun 8, 2008 2:43:06 GMT 1 jeanne said:

Bonobo,
This sounds like a great book!

Yes, my favourite till today, I return to it from time to time for childhood memories` revival!

You should be daring and switch careers! Think how exciting that would be! ;D ;D ;D

There is a saying: Nie przesadza się starych drzew. Old trees shouldn`t be replanted.

[jeanne]

Jun 8, 2008 21:20:48 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

There is a saying: Nie przesadza się starych drzew. Old trees shouldn`t be replanted.

But you are not yet an old tree...!

[Bonobo]

Jun 8, 2008 2:30:48 GMT 1 jeanne said:

No, there is no stigma attached to living in the 'country' where I live. You have to remember that I live in the northeast part of the US (New England in particular) and we are considered the cultured, liberal sector of the US.

Is that on the east side of the Hudson River? Like mentioned in the book?

it is a mixture of small, comfortable, well-kept homes built in the '60's (I live in one of these), historic homes built in the 1700's and 1800's,

Wow!

Other sections of the US do have negative connotations related to living in the country, where stereotypes depict the people as 'country bumpkins', etc. These sections are mostly in the South and the Midwest...

Rednecks??

...not quite...

Yes, quite quite. It is an American bald eagle. He made a career appearing in the Muppet show. Did you watch it?

It's ironic that you should say this, because my husband and I moved to this town when we were first married from the town we lived in very close to Boston. We did so to provide a better environment for our children to grow up in...better schools, no crime, less pollution, etc.

Big cities in Poland certainly have the same or more pollution. As for crime rate, it is surely lower in Poland. The education is much better in big cities - all national tests starting from primary school show that countryside and small town children perform 30% below city kids.

...ahem...noooo...a 'head start' means that someone has started something (a race, a project, etc.) somewhat ahead of the others and therefore has a better chance at finishing sooner. Since I am older than you, I have a 'head start' at reaching old age...and the prize in that race is a rather dubious one...

Don`t say so. We are striving in this nasty world to deserve the place in another better world.

Do you know the 'sit tight' idiom, or were you just afraid to ask because of the nature of the discussion? ;D

Hmm, sit tight.... sit tight... it rings the bell and holds water.... Yes, I know, sitting tight means that the strait jacket you are wearing is really tight and you can only sit?

Wow, you are dazzling me with your use of the language!

It happens occasionally when I gulp too much cheap wine....

[jeanne]

Jun 8, 2008 22:07:58 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

Is that on the east side of the Hudson River? Like mentioned in the book?

Bonobo, I live about 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Far enough east for you?

Rednecks??

Exactly.

Yes, quite quite. It is an American bald eagle. He made a career appearing in the Muppet show. Did you watch it?

Yes, of course I have seen this muppet before, and NOT flying over my neighborhood!

Big cities in Poland certainly have the same or more pollution. As for crime rate, it is surely lower in Poland. The education is much better in big cities - all national tests starting from primary school show that countryside and small town children perform 30% below city kids.

Certainly not true here. Remember our discussion about how public education is funded in my state and many others? ...by local property tax? The fancy, rich communities outside the city have the most money and therefore can afford to build the best schools and hire the best teachers.

[Don`t say so. We are striving in this nasty world to deserve the place in another better world.

You're right, and I was actually going to quote St Paul about running the good race...

Hmm, sit tight.... sit tight... it rings the bell and holds water.... Yes, I know, sitting tight means that the strait jacket you are wearing is really tight and you can only sit?

As I suspected... you don't know that one. 'Sitting tight' simply means waiting patiently.

Wow, you are dazzling me with your use of the language!

It happens occasionally when I gulp too much cheap wine....

I've seen you posting in a worse condition... ;D ;D ;D

[valpomike]

I live in Indiana, and this is the Midwest, and we don't have any rednecks here!!!!

[Bonobo]

Jun 8, 2008 23:01:07 GMT 1 valpomike said:

I live in Indiana, and this is the Midwest, and we don't have any rednecks here!!!!

What about those two guys? They proudly admit they are from Indiana... Do you know them???