I do like looking back over the year and considering the books I’ve read. This year’s list is not yet complete, so I’m going to wait a little while before I write my version of A Year in Reading. It’s a nice exercise in which you think back about what you read and loved this year.
C. Max Magee makes a good point:
But books, unlike most forms of media, are consumed in a different way. The tyranny of the new does not hold as much sway with these oldest of old media. New books are not forced upon us quite so strenuously as are new music and new movies. The reading choices available to us are almost too broad to fathom. And so we pick here and there from the shelves, reading a book from centuries ago and then one that came out ten years ago.
Very true. I usually borrow popular works from the library, which means I have to wait until the frenzy has died down and the book is actually available. That’s assuming I bother to read them at all. There’s so much to read that just because everyone’s talking about a book, doesn’t mean I will read it. Even if the marketing for a book is relentless, and I succumb and get myself a copy, there’s still no guarantee I will read it. So many books, so little time…
C. Max Magee also says:
A lucky reader is one surrounded by many other readers.
Thank goodness for the Net, which allows that a non-joiner like me my own little space to ruminate about what I enjoy, without having to submit myself to joining a bookclub. Thanks to all of you readers for deigning to share your opinions with me over these last couple of years!
(Thanks to Languagehat for the tip.)
What are you going to be doing tomorrow, for the federal election? Besides voting, that is. Are you one of those people for whom observing the results is way more interesting than watching the Grand Final? I am, and I’m going to be watching after 6pm tomorrow (I think that’s when the polls close in this state), with bated breath.
I’ve never been a swinging/undecided voter, but in case you’re still pondering who you should vote for, try this.
Paco was born a year ago today! According to the breeder, his father (sire) is Australian Champion Reynosa Twig Ridgejones, his mother (dam) Sebdah Annabelle. Despite being 100% chihuahua, he wasn’t registered, but we do have his history - we even know he has a brother Sebdah Daniel Ridge.
M and Paco
We’ve become very attached to our little Paco. He is very affectionate and loves being with us. Paco is not shy and loves people (even children) and will go up to anyone he meets, to say hello. He also adores other dogs, no matter how big they are. Apart from playing with other dogs, Paco also enjoys walks and fetching balls.
Transfixed
Paco has learned to sit and lie down on command, however he can be very willful and doesn’t always obey. Sometimes you can see him trying to decide whether it’s worth sitting or not ( “do you have a treat for me if I sit?”).
Thankfully, Paco is not particularly yappy, in that he never barks at people. He’s no good as a guard dog; when someone comes to the door, he rushes to see who it is and just waits there excitedly until the door is open, so he can greet them with licks and requests for pats. Paco loves visitors! While he doesn’t bark at people, he does however love joining in the canine chorus - almost all our neighbours have dogs, and all it takes is one of them to start barking, and Paco will happily join in. Sometimes, Paco’s the one who gets them all going! He has a surprisingly deep bark for his size.
Looking
Originally uploaded by Constance Wiebrands.
See the little tooth poking out of Paco’s bottom lip? I think that’s the reason he wasn’t registered - his appearance is less than “perfect” so he would never have made it as a showdog. I think he’s now also too big for the showring - he’s 3.4kg, quite a bit heavier than the preferred 2.7kg (yes, he’s HUGE! Heh). Despite this, we think he’s perfect, of course!
