Rancid

Operation Haystack by Frank Herbert My rating: 3 of 5 stars Now this is the story that's interesting from Frank Herbert. I noticed something that he did in one of his short stories that Isaac Asimov has done. He evolves his ideas In this short story. For example he incorporates what we now know as the Bene Gesserit. Of course this is not in the Dune universe but the idea is there. In fact it indicates how woman been manipulating certain planets of the league for the husband to have political power and just been going for some time eventually I guess he Incorporated this Society of women into the Dune Saga. View all my reviews

Missing Link by Frank Herbert My rating: 3 of 5 stars Most people know Frank Herbert writing because of Dune. It is a very popular series here in the 21st century even though it was written in the 20th century. But he does have other books and short stories. This particular story describes a first Contact situation. The inhabitants of the planet are pretty hostile but very intelligent so much that they kidnapped a whole ship. And hide it in a place where indigenous people would not hide anything because they lack the technology to do so I guess they are quick studies. So when you get a chance give it a read it's not long and the plot is surprising. View all my reviews

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini My rating: 1 of 5 stars This novel is the definition of a useless space opera. 1000+ pages of nothing worth of value. It is a mélange of every science fiction book out there. I fell for the sunk cost fallacy. Waiting to see if it would get better. Never happened. The Author is more of a Fantasy (dungeon and dragon writer) and this book is written in this fashion. I think he is going to write a series on his theme called the fractal universe. I see no math here or fractals. Some authors can do both, others well... I don't read fantasy so I really can't criticize his fantasy novels. If you are a hard sci-fi guy. I would stay away from this one. View all my reviews

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius My rating: 3 of 5 stars He really wrote this book as notes to himself. he had an interesting way of thinking. Some of his notes even sound like he had Christian principles behind him, of course, his empire persecuted Christians, but at t time he considered some Christians corrupt. View all my reviews

On my third month since my Cabg surgery. I can't deny that things are getting better. But recovery is taking longer than I expected.  I still go to cardiopulmonary rehab twice a week. A few days ago I had to go to Virtua pulmonary. I thought I had a doctor's visit but it was spirometry tests What has helped me mentally is I have been allowed to return to work even though I'm not 100%. I had a lot of projects that I want to do in the house but physically I just wasn't able to do so, and that led to a lot of frustration. By going back to work I can keep my mind busy and be a little bit more productive. I'm still not allowed to travel the sternum just takes a while to heal.  Spiritually, I'm going to no place. Was trying to get regular in-presence meetings it has been difficult. The Kingdom Hall that I decided to go to is farther away. And my biggest problem is that I cannot walk very well. So I attend the meetings via Zoom. I also try to kill time by reading but t...

Murder at the ABA by Isaac Asimov My rating: 3 of 5 stars Murder at the ABA While Isaac Asimov is considered to be a very excellent science fiction writer. He has written books in other genres. "Murder at the ABA" is considered to be by him one of his best books in regard to the mystery genre. And this particular novel he has inserted himself into the plot. This is known as metafiction. The novel per se is of an odd taste. All I can say is that the characters in the novel are not detectives they are writers but they are forced to become detectives at the loft of a colleague during the convention of the ABA. Therefore it's a little bit more of a whodunnit type of book. Enjoy. View all my reviews

 The kind of people we are  going to meet each day—the bitter, the stupid, the jealous, the petty, racists, polluters, rage profiteers, reality television stars, trolls and on and on. ( I know many of those labels apply to me as well) These people are frustrating. They make the world less safe, less productive, less collaborative. They poison the common good. They destroy any semblance of common understanding or commonality, period. But instead of getting angry at them, try pity first. As we’ve said before, these people aren’t actually having a good time. Nor, in most cases, are they avoiding the consequences of their own actions (in some cases, they suffer most). Even if it doesn’t always seem so obvious. After all, you could be like them if you wanted. Why? Because it’s a horrible, shameful way to live. These people who frustrate us are cut off from that. They have been led astray. Or they have chosen to go astray. And that is something to pity From the thought of Ryan Holid...