I finished reading:

"Tortilla Flat" written by John Steinbeck. 151 pages.

Book 18 on the year, 5701 pages total at 317 pages per book.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Loon Lake" written by E.L. Doctorow. 295 pages.

This is the 17th book I have read this year, 5550 pages at an average of 326 pages per book.

-Richard

The Season finished for West Hartlepool Rugby Club this weekend. A good season. The Senior team finished 7th in North 1 which is very respectable considering it was the first season in a higher league and got to the quarter finals of the National Intermediate Cup. The Second Team won their League and the Under 18's also won their league which augurs well for the future as the team try to crawl back up the league ladder.

-Richard

The end of the Read-a-Thon

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Getting up this morning for one more hour.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Not really. I enjoy most books and they are interesting to me.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Nope it's good.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? I like the fact that there are no real hard fast rules. If there was I won't enjoy it.

5. How many books did you read? Finished 4

6. What were the names of the books you read? Mikhail S. Gorbachev, an intimate portrait, The
Life and Extraordinary Adventure of Private Ivan Chonkin, a life without armor, The Mermaids Song.

7. Which book did you enjoy most? The Life and Extraordinary Adventure of Private Ivan Chonkin

8. Which did you enjoy least? a life without armor

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Will do as a reader. This is my third one.

-Richard

At the end of Read-a-Thon hour 24.

Before I went to bed and this morning I read a little more before 8am EDT.
Total new pages read - 68. I finished another book (see below). I also an up to page 39 out of 295 of the next new book, Lake Loon written by E.L. Doctorow
Total pages read - 950
New time spent - 61 minutes.
Total Time - 10 Hours 38 minutes.
Books Finished - 4

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Mermaids Song" written by Val McDermid. 364 pages.

This is the first book of the Dr. Tony Hill series which I first became acquainted with after watching the adaptations on BBC America. I wasn't sure that I would like the book, but, I did.

This is the 16th book I have read this year for 5255 pages at an average of 328 pages a book.

-Richard

The end of Read-a-Thon Hour 15.

For the hour pages read - 42 pages. I am up to page 335 out of 364 in the book I am reading.
Total Pages Read - 882 pages
For the hour time read - 22 minutes.
Total time read - 9 hours 37 minutes.
Books read - 3

That's it for tonight...hopefully I will squeeze another hour in tomorrow morning.

-Richard

The end of Read-a-Thon Hour 14

For the hour pages read -72. I am up to page 293
Total pages read - 840
For the hour time read - 47 minutes
Total time read - 9 hours 15 minutes.
Books finished - 3

Half an hour to go before the big soccer game between "my" San Jose Earthquakes and the evil L.A. Galaxy. I may read for a few minutes after that before going to bed and I "hope" to get up in time to complete one more hour in the morning.

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 13.

For the hour pages read 67 - I am up to page 221 of The mermaids Singing.
Total pages read - 768
For the hour time read - 46 minutes
Total time Read - 8 hours 38 minutes
Books Read 3

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hours 11 and 12.

For the hours pages read - 64. I am up to page 154 on the book I am reading.
Total pages read - 701
For the hours time read - 57 minutes
Total Time - 7 hours 52 minutes.
Books Read 3

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 10.

For the hour pages read - 48. I am up to page 90 (out of 364)
Total pages - 637
For the hour time spent - 44 minutes.
Total time spent - 6 hours 55 minutes.
Books Finished - 3.

Time for a dinner break, but, we are going to Panera so we can eat and read at the same time :)

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 9.

For the hour pages read - 42. I am up to page 42 (out of 364) in my next book, The Mermaids Song written by Val McDermid
Total pages - 589
For the hour time spent - 44 minutes.
Total time spent - 6 hours 11 minutes.
Books finished - 3

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 8.

For the hour pages read - 136. Finished a book (see post below)
Total Pages - 547
For the hour time spent - 47 minutes
Total time read - 5 hours 27 minutes.
Books finished 3.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"a night without armor" - poems written by my Jewel. 136 pages.

I like poetry but this was not my style. Easy to read though. Claiming 136 pages is a bit of a cheat as some were only 4 lines long taking up a whole page.

This is my 15th book of the year for a total of 4891 pages averaging 326 pages per book.

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 7.

For the hour pages read -78. Finished the book I was reading (see previous post)
Total Pages Read - 411
For the hour time spent - 38 minutes
Total Time Read - 4 Hours 40 Minutes.
Books Finished - 2.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Life and Extraordinary Adventured of Private Chonkin" written by Vladimir Voinovich. 316 Pages.

I've been looking forward to reading this book since I read Voinovich's book "Anti-Soviet Union" a while ago. I was not disappointed. Very funny and also poignant.

This is my 14th book of the year for a total of 4755 pages at an average of 340 pages per book.

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 6.

For the Hour Pages Read - 45. I am up to page 238.
Total Pages Read - 333
For the Hour Time Read - 22 minutes.
Total Time Read - 4 hours 2 minutes.
Books Finished - 1

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 5.

For the Hour - Pages Read-68. Up to page 193 out of 316
Total Pages Read - 288
For the Hour Time Read - 44 minutes.
Total Time Read - 3 hours 40 minutes.
Books Finished - 1

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 4.

For the Hour - Pages Read - 83. I am up to page 125 out of 316.
Total Pages Read - 220
For the hour time read - 51 minutes.
Total Time Read - 2 hours 56 minutes.
Books Finished - 1

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 3.

For the Hour - Pages Read - 53. Up to page 42 out of 316 of my new book, The Life and Extraordinary Adventure of Private Ivan Chonkin written by Vladimir Voinovich.
Total Pages Read - 137
For the Hour Time Read - 39 minutes.
Total Time Read - 2 hours 5 minutes.
Books Finished - 1

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Mikhail S. Gorbachev - An Intimate Biography" written by the editors of time. 244 pages.

An interesting book, but, due to the fact that it came out in 1988 is obviously a very incomplete history of the impact and the downfall of Gorbachev.

This is the 13th book that I have read this year for a total of 4439 pages at an average of 341 pages per book.

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour 2.

For the Hour - Pages read - 44. Up to page 233 out of 244.
Total Pages Read - 84
For the Hour time Read - 44 minutes
Total Time Read - 1 Hours 26 minutes.

-Richard

End of Read-a-Thon Hour One

For the Hour - Pages Read - 40. Up to page 189 out of 244 in book on Gorbachev
Total Pages Read - 40
For the Hour Time Read - 42 Minutes.
Total Time Read - 42 Minutes.
Book Finished - 0

-Richard

Read-a-Thon 8am.

Ready to start on another day of reading, which hopefully will not be too interrupted with work this afternoon.

I am starting with the book I am currently reading: An Intimated biography of Mikhail S. Gorbachev. I am currently at page 149 out of 244, so if my maths is any good I will have 95 pages to go in this book to start the day.

My plan for blogging today is post a quick update every hour and when a book is finished blog it at the point as I normally do on here.

Let's Read!!

-Richard

I listened to:

"Drumming" composed by Steve Reich and performed by Steve Reich and Musicians.

-Richard

We have a change in plans for tomorrow. We almost missed it, but, tomorrow is the next 24 hour read-a-thon. I am planning on reading from 8am (when it starts) until 10:30pm, so, not as long as the last couple. The reason is the San Jose Earthquakes vs LA Galaxy game is at 10:30 and there ain't no way I am missing that. I will also have to work at various points during the day as well which will cut down the time. I will continue to use my usual plan of reading: i.e. work through my list in the order that I bought them so it is always a surprise to me what come next!!


-Richard

The next cat we fostered was Fluffy. He came from the same situation as Ama (see below, posted April 4th). When he came in he had very badly scared and infected wound on his next. This took a long time to heal, but, he was a very sweet boy who was desperate for attention. He came into us the end of July 2006 and eventually got his "forever" home in 2007.

-Richard

Happy Easter.

Today is one of the greatest days in History. The Resurrection of Christ. An event so profound, dramatic and so life-changing that words cannot really describe.

However, today an interesting discussion came up. Easter eggs being pagan and therefore should not be part of a Christian celebration. As this subject is expanded (and there is no way enough time for me to give this full argument justice) it apparent and obvious that so many other Christian "Traditions" or "Rituals" are based on some pagan or other religious rite. This is from the date for Christmas scheduled around the Winter Solstice, Christmas Trees, the giving of gifts and I could go on and on.

So, where does all this fit in? My take on it is that I no have problems with any traditions being used for Christendom. The reason is simple. There is no problem, in my opinion, in using these because taking something from the devil and Christ using it can only be good as long as the people using, or celebrating, this occasions are doing it with a Christlike mind and therefore living in the right way. Where there is a problem is if people are not following with the right mind and heart. It then becomes a pagan event again.

A complicated subject that needs more justice than a three paragraph ramble on an uneducated blog.

I will finish this post with a quote from General William Booth after he was criticized for setting hymns and songs to "modern popular" tunes. He said, and I think it can also be transposed to this discussion, "Why should the devil have all the best tunes".

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Andrew Jackson - Symbol for an Age" written by John William Ward. 213 pages.

This is the 12th book I have read this year. 4195 pages at 350 pages.

-Richard

Today is a sad day. One of our long time foster cat's died after a quick and sudden illness. Katrina was with us for over two years and with Snowflake since 2001. She had a rough start to life, but, found her home in our organization. She was very shy and scared and not really trusting people. However, last April when I was sitting on the floor she came to me, rubbed her ahead against me and purred. Ever since that point she loved attention. This moment is one of the most special and precious memories in Snowflake.

She will be missed and there will be a hole in our hearts.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Sarikiz, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra" composed by Karl Jenkins and performed by Marat Bisengaliev (violin) and The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Karl Jenkins.

Quirk, Concerto for Flutes, Keyboards, Percussion and Orchestra" composed by Karl Jenkins performed by Gareth Davies (flute), John Alley (keyboards), Neil Percy (percussion) and The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Karl Jenkins.

"La Folia, Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra" composed by Karl Jenkins performed by Neil Percy (marimba) and The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Karl Jenkins.

"Over the Stone, Concerto for Two Harps and Orchestra" composed by Karl Jenkins performed by Catrin Finch (harps) and The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Karl Jenkins.

"Allegretto from Palladio" composed by Karl Jenkins and performed by The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Karl Jenkins.

An excellent CD which I thoroughly enjoyed.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Paul Gauguin's Intimate Journal" written by Paul Gauguin. Weird, but, what else would you expect from Gauguin. 254 pages.

This is the 11th book I have read this year for 3982 pages at an average of 362 pages per book.

-Richard

I really want to make an effort to catch up on all the cats that we've fostered over the years.

The next one is a sad, but, happy story. Ama. He came to us after his owner, a Snowflake volunteer died. When he first came to us he was very aggressive and scared. Eventually after a lot of work by Jenn he became a very loving boy. Unfortunately he did not get on with our other foster cats so he had to move to a new home. He eventually got a great home made friends with the dog there, but, sadly we found out late that after a happy few months he passed away. He had a tough couple of years, but, ended up very happy which is all we can ask.

-Richard