Topic

Apparently, the new online insult is....

"You don't read books!" 

Just so y'all know and are up on your insults. 

I've been told this twice now.....ironically, once because I liked playing a game too much, and once because I didn't like playing a game enough. 

So we're alllllll clear on this, I LOVE to read. I'm actually like, a recovering addict. I'm guilty of buying the same book twice because I've read so many that I didn't remember if I had read it before or not. I was on a college reading level in middle school. 

So there. Neener neener. I am rubber, you are glue, whatever you say bounces right off of me and sticks right back to you.  :P 

;) <3 

Posted 17 months ago by NutMeg Botwin Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • If I feel someone is ignorant, I probably will just tell them that. The fact that they don't read books will simply be implied, lol.

    But of course, I'll only say this when justified.
    Posted 17 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "Let's make books popular again. If you go home with someone and they don't have books, don't fuck them." -John Waters
    Posted 17 months ago by Tofu Casserole Subscriber! | Permalink
  • ok ...

    could someone point me to exactly where this insult was leveled?

    jeez .. leave the forum for 3 hours..
    Posted 17 months ago by striatic Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Anyone pointing out that post could possibly be accused of pointing out that post and carelessly hurting someone's feelings, lol. But what the heck, can't fault me for mentioning it has something to do with books and Minesweeper.

    Invisible bookshelves! Well, no, not really. But they are cool.

    Who here has a wishlist full of controversial out-of-print books which may or may not have inspired several European coming-of-age movies? Or is that just me?

    I like real books, I do... But if ebooks mean a greater chance of something floating out there on the Internet long after the very publishing houses have fallen, then I'm all for never turning a physical page again.
    Posted 17 months ago by Liridona Subscriber! | Permalink
  • who cares +1 for reading :p yaa...goes back to book..reading Matched by Allie Condi. Just cant put it down!!  I have till the 12th to finish it lol
    Posted 17 months ago by Misha Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Same here, well I do enjoy reading, the only time I can read is before bed.  During the day hours (when its not dark or rainy outside) you will probably find me at the pool or at the park walking my favorite trails.

    Although, I suppose I could read at the pool, or at the park.  I feel like I've made a major breakthrough.
    Posted 17 months ago by Laurali Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Guillermo Gamera I love that quote!  
    Posted 17 months ago by Ebil Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Guillermo Gamera

    that's how I met my fiance!!!!
    Posted 17 months ago by A Magical Unicorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • thanks for the hint liridona, i found the post in question.

    didn't read it as much of an insult. when i read the comment i thought "yes, i probably should go to the library more" instead of being feeling it was insulting me for playing glitch.

    but there you have it.
    Posted 17 months ago by striatic Subscriber! | Permalink
  • TO ALL... I APOLOGIZE TO  ANYONE THAT WAS OFFENDED BY MY POST.  It was not meant in that way, but then again, that's what happens when you read a post.  Everyone can get a different take on it.  I would never purposely attack anyone.. that is not my nature.  I was replying to Nutmeg's post which I took to mean about the insults Nutmeg has received.[not necessarily in these forums]
    Posted 17 months ago by Qizara Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Huh? Wow, I musta missed somethin'. Where was the book insult thing? Was it directed at me? (If not, to what do you refer with me and my post, Qizara? Just lost in the madness I guess here:) Clue this middle-aged fart in:)

    I kinda thought the whole point of this thread was to say that we all love books? No idea it meant NutMeg had been told she doesn't read books in Glitch specifically. I was assuming she'd been told it just...a couple places online. Thought I read the forums a lot but...maybe not.

    Weird. Anyway...back to the books thing...I can't stand the idea of Kindles and the like. How would I touch the pages? How would I smell the new-book smell??? :) Oh, and I can't use the library because...erm, well, I forgot (yes really) that I had some 15 books out for too long and then couldn't catch up with the fines...yes, I'm awful. So now I have to buy my own books (thank heaven we do have Half-Price Books here). Well, "have to"...like such a burden. Hank and I have a small townhome and it is filled to the brim with bookcases (10? 12? could be more). 

    Oh, who here has noticed this large distinction among readers: those who will read and reread and reread favorite books (as well as new ones) to "live" the story again...and those who feel...well, hey I read it. I know that one. Something new? Neither position is wrong of course...just interesting variations. I notice this with movies as well. Hank and I are both major rereaders....
    Posted 17 months ago by RM Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Wow.  Just WOW.  I had someone tell me that while I was reading my Kindle at work one day.  The individual then clarified that I don't read REAL books.  That's when I pointed to the bookshelf above my head with all sorts of physical books (reference, datawarehouse design, etc).  Then it got clarified to real "reading" books. 

    That's when I started reading aloud from what I was reading: Dickens' Great Expectations. 
    I was told that wasn't real.  That Malcolm Gladwell is real, and Geoffrey Moore is real.  Oh. Kaaay.  Sure.  I rolled my eyes and said "Whatever" just in order to end that conversation and get back to Pip trying to convince Estrella that they would someday be married.

    *note: I do read Gladwell, I don't like Moore, and I think Patricia Cornwell, J.R. Ward and Jonathan Kellerman don't write books fast enough as I devour them as soon as they're out. 
    Posted 17 months ago by WhizGidget Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @RascalmomThat whole argument was about--wait, I already answered that question.

    As for reading books over and over again: I think it depends on the book in question. World War Z I've been compelled to reread countless times, but say another book, like the Da Vinci Code, which I didn't enjoy that much to tell the truth... I don't really feel like reading again.

    Reading during stoplights, huh... Isn't that a bit... Well, I guess it's better than that one woman who studies physics while on the freeway. If it sounds familiar it was briefly mentioned in an edition of Reader's Digest. The scary part is that my mother knows the person, and has had to carpool with her before.
    Posted 17 months ago by Liridona Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Liridona: I promise, only at stoplights and really only at local ones that I know are set waaay too long:) Saw your answer, couldn't find a post about books and Minesweeper. Oh well. Sounds like it wasn't too nice or something. @WhizGidget: No, no, I didn't mean to imply Kindles aren't real books in the senses you list. Sorry if you got that from my reply. Um...let me see. Better words...tangible book-shaped objects with touchable pages? :)
    I meant they aren't for ME because I like to touch zee pages and smell zee bookz, you zee? I am a fan ov all reading, liebchen. All zee reading.

    (Before you ask, this just happens to me from time to time vis-a-vis the weird accent sneaking in.)
    Posted 17 months ago by RM Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Are we talking about reading again yet? (scroll down, scroll down, scrolllll dowwwwwwwn...) I actually get burned quite a lot because I (GASP) listen to audiobooks while I am working and playing. I actually got a "cheater, cheater" response from one of my best friends saying, "I don't like being READ TO!" But if it is the only option I have on a busy day, I am taking it!

    Also, the huge stacks of books that I own piled against the outside walls of my house make an excellent insulation against both heat and cold (yes, I am a Book Hoarder, I admit it!).
    Posted 17 months ago by Mistress*of*Fishies Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Fishies: nothing wrong with audiobooks.  I am a very visual person myself and I prefer to look at things, but I know tons of people that are more audio-learners and prefer to hear things.  Whatever works for you!

    I don't think theres anything wrong with Kindles, I for one would never waste a penny on one of them because you can buy other products (for instance my Evo) that has a free app that does the exact same thing a Kindle does except I get free books online.

    Also, I know exactly what you are talking about Rascalmom.  As far as movies and books go, I LOVE to reread/rewatch all the time, but my boyfriend will NEVER reread or rewatch.  It sometimes causes problems!
    Posted 17 months ago by Laurali Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm the same way as your boyfriend.  99.% of movies/shows/books.  Once I've read it/seen it, I'm done.    There's so much out there to see and read that I feel like I'm wasting an opportunity if I do it more than once.

    Science and cooking shows are exceptions :D

    P.S.  Not a judgement on people who DO like to re-read/watch etc.   Just a personal feeling.
    Posted 17 months ago by Vicereine Linnæa Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Laurali: ooh, I bet it does. @Linnaea: Well, never enough to time to read all the books anyway, so I might as well go soak in the ones I love:) Really, it's just a funny thing I noticed...interesting to one who is a fancier of psychological things...
    Posted 17 months ago by RM Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I prefer to read for myself, but audiobooks are a livesaver for my 1+ hour (one way) commute.

    And I will often re-read - re-reading is comfort food to me.  Like hanging out with an old friend, listening to favorite music, smelling a nostalgic scent.  My Saturday night ritual is a bath, a glass of wine, and a "comfort" re-read.  Bliss.

    I also am on record as not being either pro-reader or pro-paper - form follows function (and function may = preference).
    Posted 17 months ago by jasbo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I not only accidently buy the same book once or twice I have done that at least 3 times, and retuning them is such a bitch.  I have been known to read while listening/watching tv, thank god I have a DVR so if it was something so terrific on tv I just rewind the sucker and watch it.  How can reading be considered a waste of time with all the real stupid stuff people do?  Crazy yes, but everybody is one way or another so there neener neener neener.
    Posted 17 months ago by xoxJulie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Rascalmom: I wasn't taking any insult from your response.  I love real tangible physical books too - I love the smell of the pages, and the weighty feel of a book.  I will *never* give them up.  My response was what happened to me in my workplace with someone who scoffed at whether or not I read, then what I was reading *on* and then what I was actually reading (which I find to be higher literature than the suggestions I was given as to what was "real" in terms of reading)

    Hubby gave me my Kindle for my birthday last year, and I didn't think I'd like it because of that very reason I just stated.  But I have to admit it's handy when I need to haul around a few reference manuals (it's a lot lighter than dragging two or three 500+ page books around) or taking on vacation and trying to decide what books I'm taking with me for the flight.  

    So, I've had to find the middle ground of using my Kindle and staying faithful to my physical books. 
    (and count me as another who re-reads... this is why I'm on my third or fourth paperback copies of 'Bridge Across Forever' and 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' among others...)
    Posted 17 months ago by WhizGidget Subscriber! | Permalink
  • <sarcasm>

    Wait -- you people read? How pedestrian!!

    I'm so glad I have an assistant who does that for me.

    </sarcasm>

    Once upon a time, a geek-in-training read every book, magazine and newspaper she could find.

    She participated in a read-a-thon at the age of 12, and read 25 books in 30 days which pixxed off the people who pledged $1 per book. Each book was a minimum of 150 pgs long with one that was over 700. 

    One pledger didn't believe her and refused to pay "a liar". So GIT stood on the crotchety person's doorstep and launched into an oral book report presentation. One book at a time, in alphabetical order, as listed on the paperwork she carried with her. CP closed the door on GIT half way through the first book. By the time GIT was on book number 5, CP opened the door, handed GIT a check for $50 dollars on the condition that she "just go away!"

    GIT became GIF (geek-in-fact). After college, about 5 years into her career life, her pleasure reading slowed and eventually stopped. Too many hours a day in front of the glowy screen made for no interest in the words.

    GIF is now GFDS (geek-fo-damn-sho) and has returned to reading. She can still mow through books when uninterrupted, but reads at least 1 hour a night.

    The End
    Posted 17 months ago by g33kgurrl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @g33kgurrl - you should write a book or two, +1 to a well versed post :)
    Posted 17 months ago by Originalauntie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Love the story g33kgurrl! The oral book report on the doorstep...brilliance:) True fact: Although good at it and mad crazy for science in HS, I decided to major in English in college because...I would get to read more! :D
    Posted 17 months ago by RM Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Originalauntie -- I am a story-teller at heart. I have several stories started but never the time to finish. My hope is to some day write children's stories. I must say though - the above is an accurate representation of the actual events just more amusingly stated because I'm a smart tookus. :D 

    @Rascalmom -- too too kind of you. I was a smart tookus even then. I got it natural from my momma who got it from her daddy. Only one per generation seems to get that in our family. My uncle didn't. My brothers didn't. My eldest didn't, but the younger one did. 

    I edited papers for others in college. I tested out of 2nd level English Comp because it was too tedious for my liking. They said,. "No one passes this test." They didn't realize "no one" is my middle name.  

    I also love to make up words and sing songs to amuse myself and others. I insert pop culture references into random work conversations to amuse myself and see who catches on. The month of March was "Beastie Boys" month. I worked a lyric into at least one business conversation every day. Heh. That was a good month. Best random lyric insertion that month - while talking about web metrics, someone quoted average daily/monthly page hits on a redesigned page vs the same from the original page. I said, "We got more hits than Sadaharu Oh"  Geek + pop culture+sports FTW!!

    BTW -- If you ever need a laugh in the middle of your day, try adding any of the following to a random work conversation:

    1. If you don't like what you hear say, ."My anaconda don't want none."
    2. If you are asked how a team can solve for a problem say, "Put a little Luda in it".
    3. When asked if you have a plan to motivate the team say, "It starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, an aeroplane.."
    Posted 17 months ago by g33kgurrl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • LOL, I love your rap lyrics..... <3 I use a lot of random lyrics in everyday conversation :D 
    Posted 17 months ago by NutMeg Botwin Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Wait, so what exactly was said by who? I think I'm missing something :P
    Posted 17 months ago by Cupcake Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Me too, Cupcake. Some thread somewhere with reading books and Minesweeper apparently. Cannot find it by searching forums (least I can't). Someone said something about...well that people don't read. I think. But anyway, we are now discussing reading and books:)

    What's your favorite?
    Posted 17 months ago by RM Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm this crazy girl who either folds cranes, talks too loud, or spends an eternity in the library. Oh, and I read as I walk too. I live 30 mins walking distance from the school, so yeah, it's a lot of reading time.
    Posted 17 months ago by KitkatCat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @g33kgurrl, HILARIOUS! I often mishear lyrics myself and, last year, got the whole office singing "Lisztomania" wrong. "Like a RHI-, like a RHINO! Not easily offended..." And then there is the Jamiroquai classic, "I got candy in my ears tonight, big pants!"
    Posted 17 months ago by Mistress*of*Fishies Subscriber! | Permalink
  • you and me, Cupcake.
    Posted 17 months ago by Nanookie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • KitkatCat -- I am so jealous of your reading and walking at the same time talent!!  I talk and walk and the same time. Sometimes. 

    Because the talking part usually involves hands and when it involves hands, I am actually talking, walking and hand-gesturing. Then the head weaving and bobbing starts and eventually the shoulders, hips, knees and toes (knees and toes) join in.Which doesn't result in a directional movement supportive of walking...

    So...

    Wait. We're talking about reading? 

    Never mind...
    Posted 17 months ago by g33kgurrl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Why oh why don't we have private messaging....
    Posted 17 months ago by MaryLiLamb Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Dang, g33k - my own father once observed that I would become a mute if he cut my hands off.
    Posted 17 months ago by jasbo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Mistress*of*Fishies

    I am a goofus at heart. I was supposed to be a voice or performance major in college so music and creative expressive presentation is very much in my DNA. It hasn't stopped because I love bringing joy and levity into people's lives when they expect it least and need it most. 

    I love that in others and gravitate towards the other sillies.

    I have been known to declare meetings topless, require people to introduce themselves as their favorite <insert whatever thing is amusing me at the moment>, and bust out singing in the middle of crowded places simply because I can. 

    I figure life is the longest thing I'll ever do in this body. I've got to make it count.

    ETA: @jasbo -- if you hold my hands, I can't speak. It's the only way they can get me to shush...
    Posted 17 months ago by g33kgurrl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think I am a notorious subject-changer. So... BOOKS! Love 'em. Love the smell of a new bookstore and of a library in a sunbeam. I prefer the trade paperback format. Haruki Murakami is my favorite author (followed by Ian Rankin, Jasper Fforde, Kate Atkinson, Graham Joyce, Jonathan Carroll and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). I only buy purses that are big enough to fit a book. I do not own an e-reader. I am the significant other of an indulgent librarian who gives me free reign o'er his card. Books. YEAH! Love 'em, redux.
    Posted 17 months ago by Mistress*of*Fishies Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @g33kgurrl, yeah! right on!!! I am a shy amazon wallflower myself but I have the theatre in me as well. I prefer to stay behind the camera and follow the rock stars these days though. And silly is where it's at (two turntables and a microphone...)
    Posted 17 months ago by Mistress*of*Fishies Subscriber! | Permalink
  • g33k - I am SO the same way.  I was an actress in my early years and now teach legal research as part of my job.  Most of my surveys say something like, "makes it fun/ny."  One or two always say something like, "tries for humor - fails."  

    The latter always also have derogatory things to say about my grading (I may or may not be funny in the classroom, but I'm unequivocally as tough as nails when it comes to grading).  So sorry you don't find me funny, person who doesn't do the work.
    Posted 17 months ago by jasbo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Books are awesome. 

    I love the convenience of e-books because I can carry a library in my hands. I love the beauty, smell and feel of a book.

    Especially older books.

    Like this one I have that is old enough to have this
    Posted 17 months ago by g33kgurrl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm also a crazy hand gesturer. And I develop deafness when I'm reading.
    Posted 17 months ago by KitkatCat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • g33k, you've seen this, right?
    Posted 17 months ago by jasbo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @jasbo - yes <3 <3 <3
    Posted 17 months ago by g33kgurrl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • ......and they say we Scandos are humorless.

    See also this vid on plagiarism...
    Posted 17 months ago by jasbo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Omg Linnaea, you are creeping me out!  You sound EXACTLY like my boyfriend.  He rewatches science shows/science fiction shows but nothing else!  

    I guess thats not exactly the same, just one thing the same.  Still that's funny that you both have that in common!
    Posted 17 months ago by Laurali Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Hey Laurali -- They have you in common. :D
    Posted 17 months ago by g33kgurrl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +a billion MaryLiLamb. I've suggested it in more than one place, too.

    g33kgurrl, you must be one of my soul mates re: silliness. When I taught high school English and German (many moons and suns ago), I used to occasionally slip up to some poor unsuspecting pupil who was deep in thought (or at least deep in veg mode) working on some assignment that I had in fact given. Then I would break out loudly, in complete yoda voice (I do it pretty well): "Help you I can! Mmmmm?" You know, 'cause I could.

    Also, the kids in English were required to do vocabulary from those oh-so-boring level books. I never liked the tests, so I tended to write my own multiple-choice questions. And I would slip in things like THIS: ramparts: 1. [some normal definition] 2. [some normal definition] 3. parts of a ram 4. [real definition] Yeah, and some of them would actually choose that one, even though I kept thinking, Please, you cannot think that is the real definition.

    Oh, and in my fourth-year German class, we would do these little mini-plays from books that schools made up. One was about a hotel/restaurant and its staff. I let/encouraged the kids to add to the story, as long as we could translate it into German. And we videotaped these, mind you, after weeks of practice. So...early 1990s, SNL, popular sketch, Mike Myers "Dieter/Sprockets" thing. One of the kids had the clever idea that Dieter should in some way be featured in this play. I suggested (yep, the teacher) that he ought to be a crazy serial killer. So we have scenes where one of the kids, clad in black and got up to look like Myers as Dieter, is running through the background with a very large knife saying, in German, "And now we dance!" (Und jetzt tanzen wir!) Also, at the end of the year when I couldn't think of a decent lesson plan for the day or two after their finals were done, I played Monty Python and the Holy Grail for them for two days. I think it's best I got out of teaching before they threw me out on my ear.

    tl;dr version: I love all of you total silly nuts.
    Oh, and um, I LOVE BOOKS. Sorry, have strayed from topic.
    Posted 17 months ago by RM Subscriber! | Permalink
  • First, everyone on this thread is right.

    Second @g33kurrl I opened a staff meeting asking everyone to tell us something that nobody else knew about them. When it got to my turn I offered that this might well be a perfect song. I would like to be in  your meetings, too. 

    Third, what is a book?
    Posted 17 months ago by Mac Rapalicious Subscriber! | Permalink
  • A book is a processed dead tree with words written on them. The collection of words on them may well be incomprehensible, or if you're lucky, just serve as self-insert fan fiction.
    Posted 17 months ago by Liridona Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Mac !!!

    Love the old skool!!

    As for meetings - they are a necessary evil. We work hard. We play harder. Nothing in the rules says we can't do both at the same time.

    Oh, and the book thing.

    It's something. With words.
    Posted 17 months ago by g33kgurrl Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Count me among the other book addicts here. Don't remember not reading, certainly it was before I started kindergarten. In grade school I would walk to the library and get the maximum number of books they would allow a kid to check out, my arms breaking carrying them home. Then I'd retreat to my room with an apple, a hunk of cheese and a couple of slabs of sourdough bread and not be seen until dinner.

    I can't imagine my life without books, even if they do tend to take over every shelf and flat surface in the place. 

    And RM, wish I'd had a teacher like you in school!

    One of my college German teachers was German himself, very young and spoke with a thick accent. Probably his first teaching gig. There were two memorable moments: he was late for class and told us it was because he was searching for his keys, only to discover them in his pants pocket when he noticed "something big there" (yes, it was for real, because he blushed to the roots of his very blond hair when he realized why we all started snickering and oh, he looked horribly uncomfortable for the rest of the class); and later he couldn't get through his earnest explanation of the pronunciation of "ei" and "ie" --using schiessen and scheissen as a cautionary tale--without more violent blushes. But he knew it would get the point across and it certainly did. Not a bad teacher, but oh, the poor fellow. 

    Not that I could carry on a conversation in German today (und das tut mir leid).
    Posted 17 months ago by ElleD Subscriber! | Permalink