Book review: The Call of the Wild (London)
Have I read this before: I don’t think I’ve ever read this, but I did listen to an audiobook version of it back when I was working at Pima in 2012. I had to tag PDFs for read-aloud accessibility software – super mundane – and I listened to a good number of audiobooks while doing that.
Review: It’s so refreshing to read a book that’s not yet another exploration of class struggles in 18th- or 19th- or 20th-century England. I mean, I guess I just finished Breakfast of Champions, which was a great departure from what has been a typical theme/setting on this book list, but still. This one is from a dog’s perspective. About as different as you can get. And honestly, it was easier to empathize with Buck than it has been for a number of the English characters I’ve read about over the past few years, despite the fact that I am assuredly not a sled dog (at least in this lifetime).
Favorite Part: I like how this book almost reads as a fable. There’s something fantastical and legendary about Buck and his trials and eventual response to the “call of the wild” could easily be argued as teaching a moral lesson.
Rating: 6/10
How do I not remember this?
The Grenfell Tower fire occurred in London on June 14, 2017. The fire broke out on the fourth floor, rapidly spread, and burned for 60 hours. There were 72 casualties and more than 70 people were injured.
I have no idea why I don’t remember this. 2017 wasn’t that long ago, and surely this received some sort of international coverage, right?
Structural fires are terrifying to me, so this is like nightmare fuel. Granted, there were several circumstances and mistakes that came together to make this an especially dangerous situation that could have been much less catastrophic, but it’s still pretty horrifying.
A Thought:
I propose that they officially change the name of Big Ben to “Large Benjamin.” It just sounds so much more British.
Also, “Big Ben” sounds like a name that bullies on the playground would come up with.
This is why I have no friends.
A Thought
As you are all probably very well aware, I have moved around a lot in my life. Yes, most of that was in one city (Moscow), but I’ve moved a lot. Ask my mom.
At some point or another, I have missed living in most of the places I’ve called home, except for that first house on Grant St. (sorry mom) and that shithole I lived in in Vancouver for the first year or so (this one).
Another place that I’ve (surprisingly) not missed very often? My place in London, ON.
I miss the dorm room sometimes because it was so unlike a dorm room and more like a little apartment and I had it all decorated and pretty (this one), but I really don’t miss London at all.
I don’t know if that’s because those 70-ish days I spent there were part of a very bad time in my life or what, but I just didn’t enjoy it there. I knew I shouldn’t have gone, but I went anyway. And then had to come right back, haha.
That was really a rough time. Maybe I’ll tell you all more about it someday.
Maybe not.
Olympics!
Get your medal count sheets ready, it’s Olympics time!
Opening Ceremony comments: I didn’t watch the whole thing, I confess. I watched from the beginning to when they had the nurses and doctors swing dancing amongst the children’s beds. But I really, really liked the first part of the ceremony, where they showed the progression of British history from pre-Industrial Revolution, through the Revolution, and into modern times. I thought the way that was done was fantastic and the way they forged one of the five Olympic rings and then brought it together with the other four was a really creative way to tie the “history lesson” to the Games.
Also, Tubular Bells FTW.
And at least they didn’t pull a Vancouver and break the Olympic cauldron.
Apart from the US, I’m rooting for Sweden. Because dude…it’s Sweden.
Onward!
Blog 1,988: Miscellany
POINT ONE!
Big changes forthcoming. Bittersweet. Details at 11.
POINT TWO!
Though I doubt anyone who reads this blog utilizes the “random post” button thingy, I’ve very slowly being going through all my old blogs and updating the format so that things are consistent across all the posts. Pretty soon everything will be beautiful and happy and I will be at peace with my archives even though no one will ever read them.
POINT THREE!
I got myself a Gmail account, does that mean I’ve lost my soul?
POINT FOUR!
2,000 blogs. Happening soon. Get ready for excitement.
POINT FIVE!
I don’t remember what Point Five was!
The end!
30-Day Meme – Day 9: A photo you took.
It’s Big Ben! I took this back in 2003 when my dad, grandma, and I went to Stockholm/Helsinki/London. In related news, apparently the giant clock is tilting—almost to the point tourists can see it with the naked eye—due to the ground shifting beneath it. Haha, The Leaning Timepiece of London.
We’re in ON!
WOOHOO, we finally made it!
My mom and I got to London this afternoon (no trouble at the border, though my student visa is going to be a pain), drove around, found my dorm, unloaded all my crap in seemingly record time, experienced the wonder that is the Real Canadian Superstore yet again, got a desk at WalMart, and are now hanging out in my dorm room. Which, by the way, seems nothing like a dorm room and more like my old apartment.
I like it here so far.
Pictures to come whenever I get everything organized and find my camera cable.
Eigenblogger 