14 August 2012

Why Read?

A lot of people that I know wonder why I take the time and effort to read, especially full length novels. After all we live in the information age where you can access most anything at the touch of a button. If you want facts you google them, if you want a story you switch on the Tv and watch a film, why bother reading.

Another thing that people wonder, or at least they used to, is why I'm clever. Which, without trying to be big-headed I am. I have a fairly wide natural affinity for academia. In my GCSE's I achieved consistently well across the board, and at A-level my grades only dropped because I didn't have the habit of the final push of revision as I'm essentially fairly lazy, I would like to point out I did do work throughout the year and my grades were still very good. 

The thing that these people don't realise is that reading MAKES you clever. It's a skill which requires multiple parts of your brain to be heavily active at the same time. Your brain has to process words very quickly and turn them into images, and you usually don't realise it's doing this, by doing this for longer periods of time you increase your ability to concentrate and remember things, you expand the bits of your brain that you're able to use and you become brainy.

Not to mention the fact that in novels, especially the one's written by previous generations you pick up words, turns of phrase and writing techniques which allow you to turn something essentially mundane into something top-grade. I'm forever spouting words which I have to explain to those around me and the reason for this is that I've read a wide variety from a fairly early age, in fact at one point I would use a pencil to correct the grammar and spelling within books I read, I've outgrown that one.

The reason I read however is not that it made me clever, that's just happy chance, it's that it offered me an escape. At school, primary school more than secondary, I felt persecuted and lonely. I was an individual child, I coped well with spending time alone, I still do, but I still felt lonely. Books offered me an escape, I could join the characters in adventures around the world, and not just around this one!

By reading I created some lifelong friends. They are the truest friends because they'll never desert me. I've created memories, what does it matter that some're memories based on fiction, I experienced the battle of Dros Delnoch as well as Druss who died there. I created real memories too, mostly they involve being remonstrated by teachers for spending too much time reading or reading too much by a particular author. 


My mum taught me to read, and by doing so she granted me my freedom. It may not be for everyone but I'm glad she taught me, it's given me so so much. I love reading, I'll teach my children to read when I have them, and hope they enjoy it, because the enjoyment of books is the greatest gift I feel I'll ever be able to give.

So tell me; Why do you read? Who taught you? Do you share my belief it's the greatest gift that can be given? What memories, experiences and gifts has reading given you?

 Rowen

13 August 2012

London 2012: Day Sixteen


Medals so far:

Gold:         29
Silver:       17
Bronze:     19
 
Medals today:

Gold:         1
Silver:       2
Bronze:     0

Place Overall:   3

Gold in Boxing - Men's Super Heavy (+91kg), won by Anthony Joshua.

Silver in Boxing - Men's Welter (69kg), won by Freddie Evans.

Silver in Modern Pentathlon - Women's Modern Pentathlon, won by Samantha Murray.

Today was the end of this Olympics, and the highlight of the day has to have been the massive party at the end. The most hilarious part, for me, was definitely Boris Johnson dancing to the Spice Girls.

Rowen

12 August 2012

Psalm 100:2

'Serve the Lord with joy;
come before him with singing.'

That's what I'll be doing this morning, and then because my arms ache from barrowing concrete yesterday I'll be having a little recreational sewing this afternoon.



Happy Sunday!

Rowen

London 2012: Day Fifteen


Medals so far:

Gold:         28
Silver:       15
Bronze:     19
 
Medals today:

Gold:         3
Silver:       0
Bronze:     2

Place Overall:   3

Gold in Athletics - Men's 5000m, won by Mohamed Farah.

Gold in Boxing (56kg) - Men's Bantam, won by Luke Campbell.

Gold in Canoe Sprint - Men's Kayak Single (K1) 200m, won by Ed McKeever.

Bronze in Canoe Sprint - Men's Kayak Double (K2) 200m, won by Liam Heath and Jon Schofield.

Bronze in Diving - Men's 10m Platform, won by Thomas Daley.

For me today I loved watching the finals for the diving, and I thought the medal placement's were justified. I loved the way that those in the Bronze and Gold medal positions were elated, but the Chinese who'd entered as the World Number One came away annoyed with himself for his Silver medal position.

It was good fun watching the Canoe Sprint's as well, I'm really glad that the Olympics showcases some much more obscure sports, and my only question is why they do this by removing other events? Why not just add to them, people WANT to watch our athletes perform, and in as many events as possible, it's a fact which simply baffles me. Anyway...

Enjoy the Games!

Rowen

11 August 2012

London 2012: Day Fourteen


Medals so far:

Gold:         25
Silver:       15
Bronze:     17
 
Medals today:

Gold:         0
Silver:       2
Bronze:     3

Place Overall:   3

Silver in Sailing - Men's 470, won by Stuart Bithell and Luke Patience.

Silver in Sailing - Women's 470, won by Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark.

Bronze in Boxing - Men's Middle (75kg), won by Anthony Ogogo.

Bronze in Taekwondo - Men's -80kg, won by Lutalo Muhammad.

Bronze in Hockey - Women's, won by Elizabeth Storry, Emily Maguire, Laura Unsworth, Crista Cullen, Hannah Macleod, Anne Panter, Helen Richardson, Kate Walsh, Chloe Rogers, Laura Bartlett, Alex Danson, Georgie Twigg, Ashleigh Ball, Sally Walton, Nichola White and Sarah Thomas.

Although we got medals today, I have to say the feat of the day for me is still the USA 400m relay-team qualifying in first place despite one of their runners breaking a leg.

Sorry for the late post.

Enjoy the Games!


Rowen


10 August 2012

Book Beginnings: A Place Called Here - Cecelia Ahern

'Jenny-May Butler, the little girl who lived across the road from me, went missing when I was a child.'

I previously read the deeply sad P.S. I Love you, which is the reason I picked up this book. It was written so powerfully I expect great things of this book. 

From reading the blurb this opening sentence appears to be the event which shaped the life of the main character. I'm hopeful it'll lead to her happy ever after.

I'm linking up to Book Beginnings @ Rose City Reader.

What're you reading at the moment?

Rowen

London 2012: Day Thirteen


Medals so far:

Gold:         25
Silver:       13
Bronze:     14
 
Medals today:

Gold:         3
Silver:       0
Bronze:     1

Place Overall:   3

Gold in Boxing - Women's Fly (51kg), won by Nicola Adams.

Gold in Taekwondo - Women's -57kg, won by Jade Jones.

Gold in Equestrian - Individual Dressage, won by Charlotte Dujardin.

Bronze in Equestrian - Individual Dressage, won by Laura Bechtolsheimer.

The highlight for me today was actually Keri-Ann Payne coming fourth in her 10km marathon swim in the Serpentine, because despite the fact she came fourth she swam incredibly well, and even after that distance she came fourth by only 0.5 seconds. Incredible!

Enjoy the Games!

Rowen

9 August 2012

Our Challenge: Books 15 - 20

So it's been a while since I've done one of these, and I'm quite a way behind where I should be, however I thought it was high time I posted a summary of the reviews I've written since my last of these posts. 

As always click the links for my full reviews, which are on the  Challenge Blog , and for more information on why we're doing this see  this post.

Casino RoyaleBook 15: Casino Royale - Ian Fleming

Casino Royale was a fairly sexist novel, a fact which didn't render void the pace and thrill which it evoked. It wouldn't be my first choice of book and I'm not sure I'd read it again, but I am glad that I read it the one time. In parts it seemed excessively unrealistic and I'm unsure how the hero is alive at the end of the book, and not because of the dangers of his profession!




   Book 16: Agnes Grey - Anne Bronte

Agnes Grey is a wonderful example of the writing of it's period. It's a pleasure to read although by no means filled with fluff, and once you get going with it you find it really moves with pace. The character telling the story has high moral standards and the book itself strives to teach you these. She falls victim to so many trials in her short life that you can't help but rejoice with and for her when she finds happiness in the end.



Book 17: London Fields - Martin Amis

I found London Fields to be slow without much happening through most of the novel, and it's long, so that's a lot of not a lot happening! I found myself bribing myself with chores in order to get through this tedious volume. However the ending picks up, and if only it had been significantly reduced I can't help but think I would have enjoyed it more. I appreciated the twist, although it felt somewhat stilted and I did have sympathy for some of the characters, although I think I probably placed it wrongly.


Book 18: For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway

For Whom the Bell Tolls evoked many emotions in me, and I can thoroughly understand why so many people love it. However it and I just didn't click, due entirely to the language which was used in writing it, which I found stilted. I also found the romance in it a little rushed, but it was a true romance with a heartbreaking ending and while it lasted it brought happiness but it's ending brought true sadness. A note in the favour of this book is that it's over a brief time period, meaning that it never really stops in flow.

Book 19: Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh

Brideshead Revisited is one of the best books this year, despite the fact that it doesn't tie in how I'd expect with the cover image. It takes place over three distinct time periods and follows the various infatuations of Charles with the Marchmain family, with his affection moving from Brother to Mother to Sister. When he is eventually, brutally pushed from this family you have to take part in the heartbreak and you feel his pain colouring all the reminiscence which he imparts. If you get the chance I would definitely recommend you read this.

Book 20: Orlando - Virginia Woolf

It's been a while since I finished this and yet I still feel that weird is the only word which either describes or does justice to this book. It features a character who isn't bound by the normal passage of time, and is only 30 after some 400 years, and who is able to change sex at will. A character who gets married but who's husband is never again heard of, and who may or may not have had a child. This is another one I found myself bribing my way through.


Thank you if you've actually taken the time to read all of these :P and if you want more information then the title links will take you to the full post.

Linking up to Speed Date Night @ The Book Swarm.

Rowen

London 2012: Day Twelve


Medals so far:

Gold:         22
Silver:       13
Bronze:     13
 
Medals today:

Gold:         0
Silver:       0
Bronze:     0

Place Overall:   3


Today is the first day since the first day that we havn't come away with any medals :( However our athletes still have done amazingly. 

I have to say that it astounds me how good our athletes and those of other nations are at what they do. And I find it almost unbelievable that we're so far ahead in medal numbers than those behind us whilst being at the same time so far behind those ahead of us. 

Enjoy the games!

Rowen

8 August 2012

London 2012: Day Eleven


Medals so far:

Gold:         22
Silver:       13
Bronze:     13
 
Medals today:

Gold:         4
Silver:       2
Bronze:     2

Place Overall:   3

Gold in Cycling - Track - Men's Keirin, won by Chris Hoy.

Gold in Cycling - Track - Women's Omnium, Laura Trott.

Gold in Equestrian - Team Dressage, won by Carl Hester, Laura Bechtol Scheimer and Charlotte Dujardin.

Gold in Triathlon - Men's Triathlon, won by Alistair Brownlee.

Silver in Cycling - Track - Women's Sprint, won by Victoria Pendleton.

Silver in Sailiing - Men's R-X, won by Nick Dempsey.

Bronze in Athletics - Men's Highjump, won by Robert Grabarz.

Bronze in Triathlon - Men's Triathlon, won by Jonathon Brownlee.

The highlights today were that two british brother's came first and third in the Triathlon, with a 15 second time penalty costing the silver, and also that we Came first in the Dressage meaning that Germany havn't won for the first time in a very long time, possibly ever. What a feat!

Enjoy the Games!

Rowen

7 August 2012

London 2012: Day Ten


Medals so far:

Gold:         18
Silver:       11
Bronze:     11
 
Medals today:

Gold:         2
Silver:       0
Bronze:     1

Place Overall:   3

Gold in Cycling - Track - Men's Sprint, won by Jason Kenny.

Gold in Equestrian - Team Jumping, won by Nick Skelton, Ben Maher, Scott Brash and Peter Charles.

Bronze in Gymnastics - Artistic - Women's Uneven Bars, won by Elizabeth Tweddle.

My cousin has been getting oh so excited about the Equestrian side of the Olympics. She's 13 and has recently entered a Horse obsession, but in her words our Team Jumper's were 'incredible!! ♥ ' Gotta love a teenager who's found a new love :)

Enjoy the Games!

Rowen

6 August 2012

London 2012: Day Nine


Medals so far:                  

Gold:         16
Silver:       11  
Bronze:     10

Medals today:

Gold:         2
Silver:       4  
Bronze:     2  
 
Place Overall:   3
Gold in Sailing - Men's Finn, won by Ben Ainslie.
Gold in Tennis - Men's Singles, won by Andy Murray.
Silver in Sailing - Men's Star, won by Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson.
Silver in Tennis - Mixed Doubles, won by Andy Murray and Laura Robson.
Silver in Gymnastics - Artistic - Men's Pommel Horse, won by Louis Smith.
Silver in Athletics - Women's 400m, won by Christine Ohuruogu.
Bronze in Gymnastics - Artistic - Men's Pommel Horse, won by Max Whitlock.
Bronze in Cycling - Track - Men's Omnium, won by Edward Clancy.
Ben Ainslie winning his Gold and retaining his title was perhaps the British highlight, but then again Murray did win his individual Gold, he must've wished he could have done it at Wimbledon.
Enjoy the Games!
Rowen

5 August 2012

John 7:38

'If anyone believes in me,
rivers of living water will flow out from that person's heart,
as the Scripture says." '

Last week I was on Cub Camp and we took the cubs for a walk along the beach.

I've spent the week recovering... and watching the Olympics.



Happy Sunday

Rowen

London 2012; Day Eight


Medals so far:

Gold:         14
Silver:       7 
Bronze:     8

Medals today:

Gold:         6
Silver:       1
Bronze:     0
 
Place Overall:   3
Gold in Athletics - Men's Long Jump, won by Greg Rutherford.
Gold in Athletics - Men's 10,000m, won by Mohamed Farah.
Gold in Athletics - Women's Heptathlon, won by Jessica Ennis.
Gold in Cycling - Women's Team Pursuiut, won by Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell.
Gold in Rowing - Men's Four, won by Alex Gregory, Pete Reed, Tom James and Andrew Triggs Hodge.
Gold in Rowing - Women's Lightweight Double Skulls, won by Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking.
Silver in Rowing - Men's Lightweight Double Skulls, won by Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter.
The highlight today was on the Athletics field with Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis, both of whom had the hopes and expectations of our nation resting on them, performing brilliantly to take away golds.
Enjoy the Games!
Rowen

4 August 2012

London 2012: Day Seven


Medals so far:


Gold:         8
Silver:       6
Bronze:     8


Medals today:


Gold:         3
Silver:       0
Bronze:     4


Place Overall:   4


Gold in Cycling - Track - Men's Team Pursuit, won by Edward Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Steven Burke and Peter Kennaugh.

Gold in Cycling - Track - Women's Keirin, won by Victoria Pendleton.


Gold in Rowing - Women's Double Skulls, won by Anna Watkins and Katherine Grainger.


Bronze in Judo - Women's +78kg, won by Karina Bryant.


Bronze in Swimming, Women's 800m Freestyle, won by Rebecca Adlington.


Bronze in Rowing - Men's Single Sculls, won by Alan Campbell.


Bronze in Rowing - Men's Pair, won by George Nash and William Satch.


The highlight for today was Katherine Grainger winning a gold medal after three consecutive Olympic Silvers, I think anyone would be hard put to say she didn't deserve it.


Rebecca Addlington became the most decorated British Swimmer ever, which was also a somewhat amazing feat in a sport which is separated by hundredths of seconds!


Enjoy the Games!


Rowen

3 August 2012

Book Beginnings: Women in Love - D. H. Lawrence

'Ursula and Gundrun Brangwen sat one morning in the window-bay of their father's house in Beldover, working and talking.'


This to me sounds like a very typical day for the period in which the book was written. At first glance it doesn't appear to be as shocking as the only other Lawrence I've read, Lady Chatterly's Lover, which was banned for thirty years from first publication., but I'm hoping I'll enjoy it as much.


Anyone else read this? What did you think?


Linking up to Book Beginnings @ Rose City Reader.


Rowen

Bought for the Greek's Bed - Julia James M&B (July 2007)

Bought for the Greek's bed was somewhat unusual for a  Mills and Boon because it started with absolute loathing on each side. On top of this there was never really any romance. From this point of view it lacked the comfort I usually gain from reading these. 


However there was something about it, and I'm not quite sure what, that found me racing through the pages. It could have been that it was relatively fast-paced. It could have been the sympathy that I felt for Vicky with her being in a relationship where she was effectively used and the overwhelming sense of abuse.


It wasn't direct, and I have no doubt that if you asked either character they'd deny it but to my mind it was an abusive relationship. I'm not sure I'd want to read this one again, and I'm not sure I understand how Vicky and Theo got their wires crossed.


Linking up to Speed Date Night @ The Book Swarm.


Rowen

London 2012: Day Six


Medals so far:


Gold:         5
Silver:       6
Bronze:     4


Medals today:


Gold:         3
Silver:       3
Bronze:     0


Place Overall:   5


Gold in Shooting - Men's Double Trap, won by Peter Robert Russell Wilson, interesting fact about this is that he's friends with my bosses son.


Gold in Canoe Slalom - Men's Canoe Double (C2), won by Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott.


Gold in Cycling - Track - Men's Team Sprint, won by Philip Hindes, Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny


Silver in Canoe Slalom - Men's Canoe Double (C2), won by David Florence and Richard Hounslow.

Silver in Judo - Women's -78kg, won by Gemma Gibbons.


Silver in Rowing - Men's Four Lightweight, won by Peter Chambers, Rob Williams, Richard Chambers and Chris Bartley.


The velodrome was the place to be today, with some amazing races. Two teams were penalised for illegal changeovers in the Women's Team Sprint, including Great Britain who would otherwise have been in contention for one of the Top two medals.


Michael Phelps got yet more medals in the pool today, making him the first man to ever defend his Olympic title twice. 


Enjoy the Games!


Rowen

2 August 2012

London 2012: Day Five


Medals so far:


Gold:         2
Silver:       3
Bronze:     4


Medals today:


Gold:         2
Silver:       1
Bronze:     2


Place Overall:   11


Gold in Cycling - Road - Men's Time Trial, won by Bradley Wiggins


Gold in Rowing - Women's Pair, won by Heather Stanning and Helen Glover.


Silver in Swimming - Men's 200m Breaststroke, won by Michael Jamieson.


Bronze in Cycling - Road - Men's Time Trial, won by Christopher Froome.


Bronze in Rowing - Men's Eight won by Alex Partridge, James Foad, Tom Ransley, Richard Egington, Mohamed Sbihi, Greg Searle, Matthew Lanridge, Constantine Louloudis and Phelan Hill.


Today we actually listened to the Olympics on the radio at work, with four of us tensely standing round trying to figure out if we'd won the women's pair. We were pleased that the four pairs were disqualified from the badminton tournament for trying to throw matches, I reckon they're regretting that now. The pool was also fairly tense across the board with a whole bunch of very close races!


Enjoy the games!


Rowen

1 August 2012

London 2012: Day Four


Medals so far:


Gold:         0
Silver:       2
Bronze:     2


Medals today:


Gold:         0
Silver:       1
Bronze:     0


Place Overall:   21


Silver in Equestrian -Team eventing, won by Mary King, Zara Phillips, William Fox-Pitt, Nicola Wilson and Kristina Cook.


Today a lot was happening in the pool, with Andrew Willis and Michael Jamieson qualifying third and first respectively into the 200m men's breastroke final. Also Michael Phelps won his 19th medal making him the most decorated Olympian ever!


As well as this the GB women's football team beat Brazil 1-0 meaning that they've finished the group stage top of their group as the only team who havn't conceded a goal.


Enjoy the Games!


Rowen