Quiz Time

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Okay, knowledgable friends. Here’s the situation.

We have a yard that has been torn up for sewer modifications. There are large, large areas of turned-up dirt, with exposed roots, rocks and clumps throughout. It is uneven, and quite red (being Georgia).

We have several 6 foot long, 3 inch deep, 1 foot wide dents in the area that has grass, from the impact of chunks of trees that came crashing into it.

We have a damaged dogwood tree which we’re going to try to nurse through its trauma of being hit by another tree.

We have a wheelbarrow, a shovel, a chainsaw, an electric hedge trimmer and electric lawnmower. And a bicycle pump.

What do we need to do to make our lawn a nice, even, grassy green again?

Today, we cleaned up a bunch of the rocks and roots, and planted a new dogwood, in case the old one doesn’t make it.

Book Log – The Confusion

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The Confusion: Volume II of the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson

On the cover of the book and the title page, it says by Neal Stephenfon (sortof), which makes me laugh.

This book took me about a year to read. I’d put it aside for months, because I really need to not read it in short 15 minute bursts a week or so apart. I would get lost, and decide to wait until I had a reasonable chance of getting a good stretch of reading in. I got a good chunk in during my recent trip to Food Lion, and now I’m done.

I love these books. They are so rich in detail, action, character, and plot that I feel like I’m hanging onto a rollercoaster by my fingernails.

Today, I decided that Cryptonomicon is my Hobbit and The Baroque Cycle, Volumes I – III are my Lord of the Rings.

Unfortunately, I’d say there’s a monad-of-quicksilver-sized chance of them ever becoming movies, or even an animated cartoon, owing mostly to a dearth of dragons.

Only one volume left… The System of the World. And then I’m done. I’m not looking forward to being done.

My brother is concerned that he’ll get to the end of them and the payoff will be a big disappointment, but I’d say the journey will be worth it despite the outcome.

Though I’d like a big finish, too. Why not?

Book Log – Cartoon History of the Universe II

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The Cartoon History of the Universe II by Larry Gonick

I love this series. I’ve now read all three books, so theoretically I should know everything about the history of the universe. I don’t, but at least I was entertained, and picked up a bit or two.

But the main thing on my mind is a convergence of facts. I’ve noticed that once I learn a new word, I suddenly start to see and hear the word everywhere. It’s spooky, but I chalk it up to skewed perception.

But what’s odd is that the past three books I’ve been reading over the last month all have mentioned or involved the caste system of historic India. Before these three books, I really knew nothing of the Indian caste system. Hadn’t really heard of it, though I am aware that most societies have classes of sorts, and some are more formal than others.

In Lamb by Christopher Moore, The Cartoon History II by Larry Gonick and The Confusion: Volume Two of the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson, major plot points of these books take place in India, and detail the caste system:

1. Brahmans (priests)
2. Kshatriyas (warriors)
3. Vaisyas (farmers/merchants)
4. Sudras (laborers)

Because this society believes in reincarnation and kharma, a person never leaves the caste they are born into in his or her life. It is assumed that if they are born into a higher caste, they did a good job in their former life and deserve their new position. No upward mobility here.

What’s more, I’ve been reading The Confusion off and on for over a year now. But I didn’t get to the part of the book that takes place in India until a few days after I’d finished Lamb and Cartoon History!

At least the fourth book I am reading right now, Investment Fables by Aswath Damodaran, won’t bring up the Indian caste system.

Wait a minute! ASWATH DAMODARAN IS INDIAN! Aaaaaah!

(cue twilight zone music)

Book Log – Lamb, The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal

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Lamb, The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

This is a darn fine Moore book. He writes amusing mind-candy, and this one is pretty tasty.

Jesus knew Kung-Fu! Awesome! And I love the idea that God created Man because Angels were… well, stupid.

So, now I’ve read all the C. Moore books but:

The Stupidest Angel : A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror
Bloodsucking Fiends: a Love Story

Bill the Gate

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I heard an interview with Bill Gates this morning, and he said three things that just got my goat.

1. Not enough kids are going into science and engineering, that’s why we have to hire in India and China.

Wait… aren’t kids who did major in science and engineering having a hell of a time finding jobs right now, as well as experienced scientists and engineers? And isn’t a part of that because jobs of that sort are going overseas?

2. We sell our products at rock bottom prices and make up for it in volume.

OpenOffice Suite FREE
StarOffice 7 Office Suite $79.95
WordPerfect Office Standard $300.00
Microsoft Office Standard $400.00

3. People upgrade because we provide innovative new products. If we didn’t, people would just stay at the same version.

We upgrade Windows and Office to stay compatible with other people who have newer systems, because planned obsolescence is part of Microsoft’s strategy. Can you even buy Windows 3.1 anymore?

*sigh*