Nice People Thread Number 10 -the official residence of Nice People

lemonjelly

Anyway, as I've been staying in mollycoddling the olds , I've been having a tidy up, which included putting all the books I've read onto the bookcase. here's a brief overview:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Many-Faces-Jack-Ripper/dp/1840240164/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390221155&sr=1-2&keywords=the+many+faces+of+jack+the+ripper

MJ Trow - The many faces of jack the ripper - Trow's first foray into ripper writing (he's done 2 books since). A decent read, but quite dated.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Would-Bill-Hicks-Say/dp/1933368012/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390224637&sr=1-1&keywords=what+would+bill+hicks+say
What Would Bill Hicks Say? - All this did, was to remind me what a genius Bill Hicks is/was, & how so many other people may try, but they don't come close...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Civil-War-Three-Kingdoms-1638-1660/dp/0349115648/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390224704&sr=1-1&keywords=civil+war+royle
Civil War - tale of 3 kingdoms - T Royle - I know too little about this period of history. A big book. A lot of detail. Comprehensive look at this period covering the whole of the UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ecstasy-Three-Tales-Chemical-Romance/dp/0099590913/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390224800&sr=1-1&keywords=ecstasy+-+welsh
Ecstasy - I Welsh - holiday reading. Hilarious in stages, surreal in others. 3 short stories, very well done. Interesting, yet bizarre.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fools-Gold-Unrestrained-Corrupted-Catastrophe/dp/0349121893/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390224928&sr=1-3&keywords=fools+gold
Fools Gold - Gillian Tett - recommended by Viva. In depth look focussing on the development of CDS & CDO trades, with a focus on JP Morgan. Riveting.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autobiography-Jack-Ripper-James-Carnac/dp/0552165395/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225005&sr=1-1&keywords=carnac+autobiography+of+jack+the+ripper
The autobiography of Jack The Ripper - except it's not...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whit-Iain-Banks/dp/0349139172/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225051&sr=1-1&keywords=whit
Whit - Iain Banks - I'm not sure if I went on a Banks kick before he announced he was ill, but recently I've read a fair bit. Whit was his debut, & I suspect I read too many reviews before I read it - don't get me wrong, it is a good book, a pleasure to read, and of interest to any cult-ists.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Find-Fulfilling-Work-School/dp/1447202287/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225165&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+find+fulfilling+work

How to find fulfilling work - I love the school of life ooks. This one (obviously) focuses on career choices and personal fulfillment. A very rewarding & pleasureable as well as thought provoking read.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ringmasters-Daughter-Jostein-Gaarder/dp/0753817004/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225256&sr=1-1&keywords=ringmasters+daughter
Ringmasters Daughter - J Gaarder - I loved reading Sophies World. To be honest, Gaarder has never hit the same high, however this novel is the closest he's got (for me). The idea of the novelist selling stories is an intruiging plotline...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-Triffids-Penguin-Modern-Classics/dp/0141185414/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225353&sr=1-1&keywords=day+of+the+triffids
Day of the Triffids - Wyndham - a classic! Re-read whilst on holiday. What's not to love about Wyndham?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Look-Windward-Iain-M-Banks/dp/1841490598/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225411&sr=1-1&keywords=look+to+windward
Look to Windward Iain M Banks - I'm very undecided on the Culture novels. I gave them another bash with windward. Nice idea, but didn't quite work for me. Not guff at all, & it held me throughout - the story is definitely there.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/True-Face-Jack-Ripper/dp/1854797263/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225518&sr=1-1&keywords=true+face+of+jack+the+ripper
The true face of jack the ripper - melvin harris - Melvin Harris suggests Robert D'onston Stephenson as the ripper. He wasn't. However, worth reading for Harris' demolition of other myths that have grown around the search for the ripper.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stonemouth-Iain-Banks/dp/0349000204/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225600&sr=1-1&keywords=stonemouth
Stonemouth - Iain Banks - this reminds me why I love his novels, as opposed to sci-fi. Simple tale of a guy run out of town, returning for a funeral, not sure whether he's on dodgy or secure ground. held me properly. Good read.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cuckoos-Calling-Cormoran-Strike/dp/1408703998/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225685&sr=1-1&keywords=cuckoos+calling
Cuckoo's Calling - R Galbraith/JK Rowling - I did enjoy the casual vacancy. I really enjoyed this as a detective novel. The characters are pretty interesting, & some nice twists along the way. Recommended.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mind-Bombs-Exploding-Conventional-Wisdom/dp/0715637665/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225778&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=mindbombs+garrick+alder
Mind Bombs - G Alder - a writer on the QI show (a good sign) & recommended by dear Zagubov (another good sign). A great book full of immensely inetersting stuff that made me read more & want to mention the interesting things I kept reading.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Thrive-Digital-Age-School/dp/1447202317/ref=sr_1_17?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225908&sr=1-17&keywords=school+of+life

How to thrive in the digital age - another school of life book. Essential partially for its discussion on the concept of offline time, as well as online time. Great read.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/11-22-63-Stephen-King/dp/1444727338/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390225971&sr=1-1&keywords=11+22+63
Stephen King 11 22 63 - a reminder of what a great writer King can be. apparently a very old idea he's had knocking about finally saw light of day. Cracking novel. Bit predictable in parts, but on the whole, really good.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Ripper-Definitive-Richard-Whittington-Egan/dp/1445617684/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390226048&sr=1-2&keywords=jack+the+ripper+casebook
The definitive casebook - Richard Whittington Egen - in 1975, RWE wrote a casebook on JtR. Phenomenal demand sees copies of that book go for £300 minimum. The likes of me were never going to get a copy.
Thankfully, RWE has re-written the whole thing, fully updated. & this is an interesting book that is very colourful in language (I learned many new words...) but deals with so many different aspects of the case that it is essential. His methodological discussion of the main suspects is superb.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Stay-Sane-School-Life/dp/1447202309/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390226191&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+stay+sane
How to stay sane - another school of life book. These little treasures are only 100/130 pages long, but are so useful as little mini-reads & reflectors.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Essential-Jack-Ripper/dp/0718178246/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390226281&sr=1-1&keywords=the+complete+and+essential+jack+the+ripper
The complete & essential Jack the Ripper - an over ambitious title (especially for a 300 page book). however 2 heavyweights in the field cover many excellent basics of the case.
Not a game changer, but a decent read. If I were to be critical, both writers could've gone into a lot more detail than the books gives. However, had they done so, they'd likely have been accused of repeating previous work.
An excellent introduction though, & a penguin too!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ragged-Trousered-Philanthropists-Wordsworth-Classics/dp/184022682X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390226414&sr=1-1&keywords=ragged+trousered+philanthropists+robert+tressell
Ragged trousered Philanthropists - robert tressell - I recall reading Grapes of Wrath, & a friend suggested I'd feel the righteous anger rise in me as I read. Whilst that never happened with Grapes... it did with this. Superb book that anyone who thinks they have a view on socialism really should read. Whilst you may disagree, it is a very worthwhile novel. I enjoyed it immensely.

tomterm8

It's that time of the year. Birthday present time for my parents (both of them decided to have birthdays the same month )

I've bought a digital radio thing for my mother - hope that it's the right thing; she asked for it just after christmas because clearly that's a sensible time for someone to tell you what they'd like for christmas *grumble*

I've bought a grafting shovel for dad, since he is a gardener and has been casting jealous eyes at a grafting shovel that a friend has. I'm having buyers remorse. How am I going to wrap the thing?

And after opening a bank account last month, I've opened a savings account this month too. So far it seems to be going easier... but I'm not going to be confident until I get the paperwork through.

PasturesNew

silvercar wrote: »

I have told her she needs to stay put or move near me, I can't see any benefit in going through a home move to be somewhere else with no close family.

Best advice award.

PasturesNew

tomterm8 wrote: »

How am I going to wrap the thing?

That big bubble bubble-wrap, where the bubbles are the size of small eggs.... that round the shovelly bit ... and for the handle, just wrap paper round and round... and round.....

As for a box, not much that size really...... he's not a kid, so no point trying to make it look like something it's not.

lostinrates

lemonjelly wrote: »

My dad had a redundancy or downsize option after flogging himself for years.
The reduction in stress, his uplift in personality/character was phenomenal.

My previous employer put me through the grinder. Nowadays, I very much have the mindset that the important stuff happens outside of work...

Fwiw, while I agree with what every one has said, I think retiring has been the biggest mistake or worst thing that's ever happened to my father.

He aged twenty years in a month.


We all wanted it for him, We were wrong.

lostinrates

tomterm8 wrote: »

. How am I going to wrap the thing?

.

Put it in favourite but hidden part of the garden in the morning, or somewhere it will be used, unwrapped. Tie a long piece of string to it. Tie string to handle of cup of breakfast tea with label saying, 'gift attached'.

If he were a teenage girl for one moment he'd have the thrill of thinking it were a pony.

tomterm8

Thanks, PasturesNew, I think I might try that.

LiR, that's what I'm worried might happen to my father. He's a bit of a workaholic, and I'm not sure that retirement will be entirely "good" for him. I think he might end up starting up a small business of some kind to give himself something to do.

I think he'd like to keep on working but he'd no longer really got the stamina to carry on teaching.

Edit: Ohh... LiR, I like it! No wrapping!

lemonjelly

lostinrates wrote: »

Fwiw, while I agree with what every one has said, I think retiring has been the biggest mistake or worst thing that's ever happened to my father.

He aged twenty years in a month.


We all wanted it for him, We were wrong.

Should've been clear - we all thought he should take redundancy. He didn't. Took a step down, but carried on working. Like I say, that transformation in character was astounding - many commented on it, & I suspect the reduction in stress was a major factor.
Obviously a few years later, the decision was made for him by his health. In reality, he's kept himself busy, & my personal opinion, is that because he is likely to have a shorter lifespan than most, he's effectively had his retirement as a result of finishing early on health grounds.:)

lostinrates

Ok, dietician is going to try and squeeze me i in the 'next couple of weeks'. Is going to get I touch today or tomorrow. I sad there was no need to nasty I knew it was becoming more of a squeeze. She didn't get it. Why is lack of sense of humour such a prerequisite for healthcare? Its so rare.

neverdespairgirl

GDB2222 wrote: »

DD has been going out with a young man now for a month. He's a lovely guy, charming and intelligent. BUT, he was badly injured in a car accident 10 years ago, with some neural damage, and loss of use of his right side.

Should she be getting involved with him, and what would you advise her?

She's 27, you said in a later post? Unless she actually asks for advice, I think I'd steer clear of giving it. Most 27 year olds don't really want parental input into their relationships unless they specifically ask for it.

As for whether he can father children and so forth - I can see why DW is concerned about it, but at the same time, it's an issue between them, really, not about you and DW.

As for falling rapidly for someone, then changing her mind, that's something I think you could only talk to her about in general terms, rather than specifically in relation to this particular man.

Sorry if I sound mean, I don't mean to.

Is he Jewish? Is it a problem for you or DW if he's not?