A nice evening...

[fajrdrako]

I spent the evening reading. Makes me feel rested and happy and lord of my own domain.

Comments

[lilithlotr.livejournal.com]

Since I keep not sending you those PMcG postcards - since I never scanned them - I picked you up another set at Forbidden Planet last week

[dargie.livejournal.com]

I just started "Lotte in Weimar" and it's not nearly as heavy weather as I had feared. It's good to get back to reading on a semi-regular basis.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Always a good thing.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

why lord?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

why lord?

Because "lady of my own domain" doesn't sound inclusive enough. I did think of saying 'empress' but it has the wrong connotations. Queen? Master? Controller? Champion? "Lord" was best I could think of to fit my meaning of satisfied autonomy.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Truly a delight! - and a rare one. I should do something about that.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes - it's been a long time since I've been able to read for hours at a time and I am reminded what a delight it is.

Let me know what you think of "Lotte in Weimar" when you've read it all - it sounds intriguing!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Forbidden Planet is the most wonderful place.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

ah,
still, I think it is a shame you need a male word to describe that. But the feeling is nice, I think I recognize the one you meant :)

[dargie.livejournal.com]

I don't read for hours at a time anymore, so I move more slowly than I used to through a book. But it's still wonderful.

Lotte continues on in Mann's usual convoluted style. It's a bit more pastiche-y than his other work since it's set in the early 19th C. and often I want to slap the characters and shout "Will you just get on with it, please?" But I'm already liking Lotte a great deal. She's a sweet, but not simple woman, and that rather appeals. Alas, she's surrounded by awful people, which of course is normal in Mann's work, but usually everyone is hideous or stupid or both. She's neither.

Have you read any of Mann's short stories or novellas? I have a particular fondness for "The Blood of the Walsungs" which is almost overwhelming when you consider the implications of the time in which it is set.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't often have hours at a time to read, and when I do read, I read much more slowly than I used to. Which is still fairly quick reading by some standards, but still. It takes me a while to get through a book now.

I read several Mann stories and at least one novella when I was a student - Death in Venice for sure, I'm not sure of the titles of the others. Found them vaguely depressing but extremely interesting. Preferred Dostoyevsky, though. Not that I mean to make any thematic connection, just that I read them about the same time, and found both kind of dark, but with interesting characters.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Find me a gender-neutral word that fits the bill (in any language!) and I'd use it. It's annoying how all the real toppy nouns are masculine, and the feminine equivalents are comparatively wimpy.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Listening to books while you get other things done can increase your reading time exponentially. As well as making those other things much more of a pleasure to do.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I do like listening to books, especially while working in the kitchen. But it isn't quite the same experience; I generally enjoy books more when I read them on paper, rather than listen to them.

I do love listening to books I've already read, especially when they are well read. I particularly enjoyed The Vor Game, which I've listened to at least twice, and will probably check out and listen to again. Sadly, the library doesn't have the rest of the Bujold novels on CD. Not yet. And I wish they had the Dunnett novels. Hmm - I wonder if they have Dickens?

I checked out the audio version of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and was loving it, but it was too long to finish in the time allotted, and of course I couldn't renew it - there was a long waiting list. Maybe it's time to try again.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

That's how I feel when I write all evening. I wish I had time to do both, but right now I'm not able.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, me too. Too bad I can't read and write at the same time. Too bad I don't have twice as many hours in any given day.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

True, true! So true. I'm glad I got through Rose of Versailles though. But now I REALLY want the manga.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

I checked out the audio version of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and was loving it, but it was too long to finish in the time allotted

I have this in mp3 format, if you want it. Haven't listened to it all, because the bit rate is so low that my portable mp3 player won't play the files, but I seem to remember that they played ok on my pc using Windows media player. And based on what I heard of it, it was extremely well done. So let me know if you want the files...

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<i>I checked out the audio version of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and was loving it, but it was too long to finish in the time allotted</i>

I have this in mp3 format, if you want it. Haven't listened to it all, because the bit rate is so low that my portable mp3 player won't play the files, but I seem to remember that they played ok on my pc using Windows media player. And based on what I heard of it, it was extremely well done. So let me know if you want the files...

<small</i>I am not really here. No, really. I'm actually in bed, sleeping off the after effects of overdoing it yesterday and today at work and at home, and recharging my batteries for another demanding day tomorrow. If I get through the week without a migraine, it'll be a miracle. *sigh*</small>

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

I am obviously not all here mentally. Gah.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

It's 32 K bits/second and the sound is acceptable, if not stellar.

::exerts huge amount of willpower AND ACTUALLY GOES TO BED::

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I have this in mp3 format, if you want it.

You could upload it, you mean? That would be wonderful. I'd love to listen to the rest of it.

he bit rate is so low that my portable mp3 player won't play the files, but I seem to remember that they played ok on my pc using Windows media player.

If it's not too much trouble for you - I think it would be worth a try. I thought the reading of the story was charming.

I am not really here.

Heh. Me neither. I was on my way to bed half an hour ago. I'm dead tired.

Don't have a migraine. I can think of much better things for you to do.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Me too.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Have good dreams.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

I particularly enjoyed The Vor Game, which I've listened to at least twice, and will probably check out and listen to again. Sadly, the library doesn't have the rest of the Bujold novels on CD.

Um, may be able to be more helpful with this problem via email..

Currently in the middle of The Vor Game myself in the current re-listen.

[wanderinunicorn.livejournal.com]

I read several Mann stories and at least one novella when I was a student - Death in Venice

There is a book by Gilbert Adair about the real Tadzio who inspired Thomas Mann to write the novel:The Real Tadzio: Thomas Mann's Death in Venice and the Boy Who Inspired It (Paperback)

I've read it, is quite interesting. I lived in the same city and in the same time with the real Tazio! (polish Baron Wladyslaw Moes).

[wanderinunicorn.livejournal.com]

Here is the link on the amazon.com for the book: http://www.amazon.com/Real-Tadzio-Thomas-Venice-Inspired/dp/0786712473/ref=sr_1_14/105-4796641-3801240?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188370517&sr=8-14

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

That is interesting! I should look for that.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Currently in the middle of The Vor Game myself in the current re-listen.

How wonderful! I love that book - and that reading. I particularly love the scenes with Aral in them - but that's just my quirk. Also love all the scenes with Gregor. And Miles isn't half bad either.

Forensic plumbing. Heh.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Heh. If you like Aral in The Vor Game (Michael Hanson gives him the world's most swoonworthy voice, IMHO), wait till you hear him in Shards and Barrayar.

"You," he said hoarsely, "are not a hallucination." [sigh]

I like the voice Hanson gives Miles, but I don't find it particularly sexy. Aral, however...

I like what Gardner (the new Blackstone audiobooks) does with Miles, though. Very nice.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Sorry - I posted from the wrong LJ account. I must learn not to do that.

I can hardly wait to hear "Shards of Honor"! Sounds yummy.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

I wondered about that. I'm not sophisticated enough to have more than one LJ account myself [g].