This is take two
I’ve been busy. Life gets into the way. It is life. So we do what we do.
I’ve seen people come into the Faith recently. I love watching people come. If you are interested in Catholicism, I highly recommend heading to Mass. Chances are you have one around you within an hour or two.
Before you go, know how to dress, though. Shoulders and knees covered. Dress in subdued clothing. Dress nice but not for show. We are coming before the King of Kings. Dress accordingly.
I know people joke about while we sit, stand, and kneel. Know there’s a purpose to it. We stand when we are proclaiming things. We sit when we are listening to humans. We stand when it is our Savior speaking. Just like we would with royalty.
The climax of the Mass is, “Through him and with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirt, all glory and honor is yours, Oh God, Almighty Father.”
Just remember that moment. If you don’t choke up, think about that again.
Books I read while I was gone. Quick Version. with stars because I’m feeling extra.
We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter. Two teenagers go to a firework show thing in a small town. One of them tries to talk to her step-mom’s friend who happens to be a police officer. The police officer has an asshole husband she is trying to get away from. The teenagers disappear. The officer’s friend gets mad because…I’m not sure exactly because we all have to use the restroom sometimes. It’s definitely an angsty book. Decent-ish ending. But was a bit boring at times. *** ½
The Only One Left by Riley Sager. Lizzy Borden meets house on a hill. It’s a good book but a bit convoluted in ways. I hate reading things and thinking, “That would never happen.” Like, if the house is tilting off a rock, wouldn’t the county get involved and condem it? I would think there’s an inspector somewhere who is offended by the fact it’s falling. But it was a good, quick read. Kind of. ***
The 1619 Projec by Nikole Hannah-Jones. This is about the plight of minorities in America. It’s not so much a book as a collection of essays. One of my favorite authors is in there, Matthew Desmond. If you do nothing in life, read his works. Read this book. And be horrified. The system is designed to make people fail. And it’s up to us to fix it. *****
Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday. Discipline is one of those things I either has an abundance of or none. This book will explain why either/or is important. And discipline definitely is. But we also need to relax sometimes. Not everyone has to be spectacular. Sometimes we’re average. And that’s okay, too. ****
The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi. A student asks questions of his teacher. The teacher responds. The student asks more questions. The teacher responds. It’s a good book. I liked it and learned a lot about why I am so scared of people not liking me. It’s about me not liking myself. *****
Tales of Ordinary Madness by Charles Bukowski. This is Bukowski. He’s hilarious.
Factotum by Charles Bukowski. Bukowski goes to work. It’s hilarious.
What Money Can’t Buy by Michael Sandel. “What’s it worth to you?” This is a question I think we’ve all asked. But now I have to think about, “What is this actually worth? My time?” We are trading precious moments of our lives for money. How much is that actually worth? How much is our lives worth? Priceless? In captialism, everything comes at a cost. And how much is that costing us? *****
Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell. Hugette Clark is loaded. She has a bunch of mansions and dolls. She lives in a hospital even though she has a bunch of mansions. End of story. ***
You Deserve To Know by Aggie Blum Thompson. Three friends live in a cul de sac together. They are the besties we all dream of. Except, two are frenemies and one lives in blissful ignorance her husband is a conman. One husband ends up dead. The three women splinter. The ending, though. That ending. I loved the ending. *****
Dopamine Kids by Michaleen Doucleff. A mom tries to explain why she’s better at parenting than you are. She reads a bunch of experiments that make it true. It’s like a pre-school teacher writes a book about how everyone else sucks. “Pood?” Really? **
Like, Follow, Subscribe by Fortesa Doucleff. Ever read or watch family vloggers and wonder what the ef the family is doing plastering their kids all over social media? This book interviews and explains it. And you will be disgusted. *****
Burn Book by Kara Swisher. I want to be her when I grow up. She’s smart. She’s powerful. She asks the hard questions and will not stop until she gets the answers. Not many people would make ol’ Zuck worried. But she does. I love that for her. *****
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. I mean, for the uppercrust who can afford expensive meals, this is probably dope. For managers who are trying to get employees to give great service, this is good. But give me a 20 year vetran server named Cheryl who smokes 2 packs a day and I’ll be happy. *** ½
Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway. It’s a book for men about being a man. I’m not a man. ***
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera. A book with a podcast angle. It’s good. It’s decent. I like the switching between the podcast and the book. Everyone sleeps with everyone, which is whatever. The ending was decent. I wasn’t mad I read it like with the “pood” thing. Loved the grandma, though. I want to be her when I am old. ****
Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea. A girl is accused of killing her family. She sues the department because they so utterly messed up the investigation. She wins. She becomes an investigator. Then it gets confusing. I felt like I needed a list of characters. ****
This is long. More tomorrow. It happens and I’m being gentle with myself.
