Words

I love words. I love reading words. I love writing words. I love the way words can make your dreams come true. Words can also make you feel like a complete idiot whether you like it or not.

Words, and situations like these, can tie us all together. We can all relate to being overjoyed with hearing the exact words we needed to hear, or saying the one thing we never should have said.

I suppose that is all part of growing up, of being human.

Do you remember your first love? Do you remember the day they asked you out? The way they stammered and shuffled their feet. How they were smiling, and sweating, and how when you finally said you would go they were so happy!

Think about the first time you told someone “I love you.” Those three words have to be the three most powerful words in the world. Those three seemingly insignificant words have the potential to heal and harm in one fail swoop. I think we all know someone who has said I love you to manipulate someone.

If there was ever a reason for me to dislike words I think manipulation would be the reason. There are people in our world that have a gift for stringing words together in a way that can make anyone believe everything they say. While that can be a wonderful thing if you are a hostage negotiator, a doctor, a clergymen, or even a teacher, using the power of words to harm others is, in my opinion, immoral.

I suppose though, if you really think about it, writers manipulate us with their words. When I read a book, I lose myself in its characters, it's far away places, and the overwhelming emotions the author weaves into the pages. From the first few pages of even the shortest novella, the author convinces you to trust them while they grab hold of you form the inside out and drag you on a journey that only a master wordsmith could. It's subtle, but those words, those emotions, the pictures the author paints in your imagination are a form of manipulation.

I, personally, enjoy every minute of it.

The first book I remember actually losing myself in was Superfudge by Judy Bloom. I was grounded from watching TV because of a bad report card or something. I was sitting in the doorway between my kitchen and living room with my back to the television. I could see my dad look up at me once in a while just waiting for me to break the rules. I think I sat and read that entire book that night, right up until bedtime.

The first book that ever made me cry was Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. I could feel that boy's pain and love for those dogs. He worked so hard for them only to have them taken away far too soon. I have read that book several times since the first, and each time it still grabs me in the exact same way, or nearly so I suppose. I am a little older now.

I think I am going to add a couple lists to this blog. One will be my favorite books/authors. The other may be a list of the books I have read recently.

I hope everyone can say they have a favorite book. If yolu don't and you want to look else ware for a good read, maybe my selections can help you.

Have a good week everyone.

... I tipped my cup and downed the last swallow. "Joscelin, is love supposed to make you feel like you're sick and dying, and mad enough to hit someone, and drunk with joy, and your heart's a boulder in your chest trying to burst into a thousand pieces, all at once?"

"Mm-hmm." He finished his ale. "That would be love."

--Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey; page 106

Social Networking and Other things

Yay!  Two posts in one day!!  That will likely never happen again.

So, I was trying to think of what my first "official" post should be about when it hit me, I should tell whomever is reading this about my social networking stuff, just in case you want to friend, follow, or subscribe to me.  That seems like a horribly long run-on sentence.

I have an iPhone that I love, so social networking has become really easy lately.  I like that, if I want to, I can tell you all about whatever I think is interesting the second I feel like sharing.  I love my computer, but I don't like dragging it everywhere.  Most of the sites I check in to I have apps for.

My Facebook is http://www.facebook.com/hopen.  I don't play any games right now.  I used to, and that is where all the friends came from.  I don't mind though.  Sometimes they are fun to talk to.  I use my Facebook mostly for keeping in touch with my family and friends that don't live nearby.  There are LOTS of pictures of my kids there.


I like Twitter a lot.  I am @hopieg there.  I use Twitter for entertainment and informational purposes.  I like to laugh and a lot of the people I follow fulfill that for me.  Some of my faves: @Peytonshead @Lord_Voldemort7 @thinkgeek @PatMcAfeeShow (punter for the Indianapolis Colts) @maureenjohnson @wilw @realjohngreen @hankgreen @PaulandStorm.

My YouTube is http://www.youtube.com/hopieg07.  Most of the videos I post are of my kids.  I use YouTube mostly for looking and not for posting.  Faves: wheezywaiter, vlogbrothers, navergnide, charlieissocoollike, MuppetsStudio, truthorfail.  Add me if you make videos, I will check you out!

I am also on www.getglue.com/hopeig, www.foursquare.com/hopieg, and www.SoundTracking.com/users/hopieg.  These I am not super active on, but I do check in.  They are fun ways to procrastinate and learn about new things.

As far as books, movies, music, and games go, I get them from legitimate sources.  I have an iTunes account for music, Netflix for movies, and Gamefly for games. No, I don't want links to get these things for free.  The people that make these things work hard to make them.  If I am going to use them I should compensate the makers.  I don't play many video games, but I do like to watch my husband and kids play them.  If i find them interesting, sometimes I play too.  I might talk about the games anyway.

I got myself a Kindle for Christmas. I got the model with Wireless and 3G even though the town I live in doesn't have 3G.  I LOVE my Kindle.   I hate to say it, but I almost like reading books more on the Kindle than I do in book form, but only because I am so hard on books.  I love the way books smell and feel in your hands, but I always tear them or spill something on them.

I download my books from Amazon.  I know there are lots of places to get free books on the internet, but most of the books I have seen on these places have similar books to the Amazon site.   If I can't find a book on the Kindle I go buy it or check it out from the library.  I like my local library, even if it is small.


So here are the currents for me.  I Just finished Nick and  Norah's Infinite Playlist.   I give it four stars ****.  (that is out of five)  It is a lot different than the movie, which I liked, but not as much as the book.  Nick and Norah meet in a club and "pretend" to go out long enough to make each other's exes jealous.  They soon realise they have a love for similar music that leads them on an all night adventure.

I am currently reading a compilation of short stories called Songs of Love and Death.  The stories are about star crossed lovers, and a lot of them are set in paranormal worlds with paranormal characters.   I will have my review soon.


So I guess that is all for now.   I think I will make a post about my favorite books an authors in the near future.  I read so fast that by the time you get through one post, I may be done with another book.  Watch for that in the future.

The song of the day running through my head is Shoot it Out by 10 Years.  I like all kinds of music, especially loud music you can get lost in.  I have no idea why this was lodged in my brain today, but I don't mind. :D

Take care everyone!!

We have to start somewhere.

So why not here? 

Hello!  My Name is Hope Gaston.  Welcome to my corner of the interwebs!  Come have a look around.  I hope you enjoy yourself!

I suppose I should have a "goal" or a "theme" for my blog, but frankly I have no idea what this is going to be about.  I plan on making notes at the end of posts about the books I am reading or what I am listening to when I am writing.   I read a lot so these will change often!

I might review books, movies, TV shows, video games,  gadgets and doodads too.  I will probably talk about the toys my kids play with if I think they are worth sharing.   I will likely mention politics and current events from time to time.  I will try not to push too many buttons.   My thoughts generally run a bit conservative as a product of my environment, but I tend to pick and choose as it suits my morals.  I am open to discussion and varying opinions as long as it is done with respect and manners.

I promise to use the spell check button after I finish writing.  I am a horrible speller, but sometimes I make mistakes that even spell check can't fix!   You can correct me as long as you are nice. :)  I will never be too old to learn something new. 

That said, if there is a topic you wish to discuss, or inform me about, pass it on!  I will gladly look it over and let you know what I think!   I love learning new things, and I love a good discussion.  Just remember to be nice and remember that not everyone has the same opinion as you. 

I suppose that is all for now!  I will make my first actual post on whatever is going on, later.  Thanks for stopping by! I hope you subscribe, and come back again!!!