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I have been meaning to write this blog post for some time.  It’s probably good that I didn’t get to it before now, but I won’t be able to explain why until after i get right into it.

One of the crucial elements of who I am is that I like to learn. I rediscovered this a little over a year ago when I dove head-first back into reading. My focus was on science, and I loved nearly every word of every page.

I have since then devoured books by Nye, Sagan, Feynman, Hawking and more. I’ve dying to read more books by Mary Roach, and my eBook wait/hold list contains far more nonfiction titles than fiction.

But it’s not just books. I like podcasts that teach me new things. Blogs. TED talks. I go to events hosted by the historical society. It’s downright nerdy.

You might call me an epistemophiliac or epistemophile:

one who excessively strives for knowledge, or has a preoccupation with it

I want to know, and I want to know more.

In fact, I have said more than a time or two that I have little time for fiction because what’s happening around us in the real world is already so fascinating. I mean, teach me how and why something works — even if  I don’t necessarily care about the subject — and I will find it mildly interesting. Who knew I had an interest in astronomy or economics, for instance, before I delved into them? Now, I listen to podcasts (like these) on them on a weekly basis.

While not every subject will be riveting, I could certainly appreciate an engaging conversation about the science or history of most topics. Say, a sport. Teach me something, and I will try to take something away from it.

On the other end, I will often excitedly go on about something I recently learned and cannot keep to myself. I can only hope I’m a fraction as endearing as Carl Sagan with his childlike wonder.

It comes easily to me, to be honest. I may have forgotten how much I liked learning and may not have been super proactive about it, but I still liked it. That leads me to my main thought of this post:

I do not understand people who don’t enjoy learning, who aren’t curious about the world, who don’t want to add to their knowledge.

It’s not just that it’s a simple pleasure. It’s practical, pragmatic. Seeking knowledge helps you do more, save money, hold better conversations and feel more self-assured to name just a few benefits.

It might lead you to skills that are sellable and better jobs or more prestige. Although, those things are less of a concern for me. I may spend too much time learning things that are of no immediate use.

Because learning is fun. And it’s easier than ever, thanks to the Internet.

Maybe I can’t understand the way people don’t care for or actively dislike learning; although, I certainly don’t mind not allowing myself to understand this shortcoming of others. Forgive me that pretense. I am sure you can understand.

As a general rule, I don’t find people who don’t enjoy learning new things — and occasionally learning them from me — to be particularly interesting. I want to learn about the world and have discussions about ideas and things that are greater than gossip, your 9-to-5 job, or the weather. Sorrynotsorry.

Don’t get me wrong. I have surrounded by myself with people who enjoy learning or who, at the very least, appreciate my love of learning. It still just boggles my mind that anything doesn’t.

Now, the reason why waiting was a good idea? After my friend died, I enjoyed a lot of mindless/easy media. I consumed more comics than books on science. I pretty much stopped listening to podcasts because, when I did, I found myself tuning out. 30 minutes to an hour would pass, and I had no idea what I just listened to. I couldn’t make myself care.

I wouldn’t write this post passionately while I was in that stage. I hope I’ve done it justice this morning.

With that, I’ve got more Sagan to read.

i’m so sad to finish the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. In fact, I may be finished with the book by the time this post goes live. You see, I’ve enjoyed reading it, but I’ve enjoyed reading about it even more. Each night, after I turned off the Kindle, I drift away to a world where I am Watson, and Sherlock and I are solving intricate mysteries. There’s such a sense of calm about them, though. They’re not troublesome mysteries.

I can’t remember what I dreamed about in the morning. I only recall the vague ambiance of the dreams themselves. I don’t even think we’ve solved a mystery yet, but my slumbertime travel to and travails in London is fantastic. I rarely have dreams that feel like interesting adventures rather than worrisome chases. My anxiety is no more lenient on me during my sleeping hours than it is during my waking ones.

I’m afraid to leave the world of Holmes and Watson when my eyes are open and when they’re closed. There is something about this world that I love so much, and it’s something due to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s writing. I’ve seen the movie. I’ve watched multiple shows (Elementary is turning out to be quite interesting!), but neither of them leave me quite so smitten and breathless.

I had no idea the effect the words on the screen would have on me. It’s so rare that I am so taken with anything or anyone. I think I may understand how Irene Adler felt to be Sherlocked.

I finally finished the book I have been reading for something like 7/8 months! God! I’ll probably finished the second edition of Ultimate Sandman and start Neverwhere and/or the next novel in the Death Gate Series.

On the mention of books, I entered to win a signed copy of Neil Gaiman’s the Graveyard Book – but you shouldn’t (so I can win, duh! ;)) Giveaways are also the subject of one of my recent posts on Reviews by Cole.

hearing: Lennon(music) and the wind
feeling: dirty

Just a little update. I know it’s been a while. I started reading Eragon as an illegal e-book a while ago. I figured it looked interesting and the movie looks decent, too, so it was a place to start.

While browsing through gobs and gobs of illegal e-books I took the time to download quite a few more, including much of the Narnia series. I remember reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe in elementary school but I’m not entirely sure we finished it. As it is a classic, I figure it doesn’t hurt to read.

We went to look for furry rodent type things at the petshop at the mall off base but they didn’t have anything so I might just find an old warehouse and steal a rat. Kidding, about that but I was a little disappointed.

We did, however, get this cute Nightmare Before Christmas clock. It’s an analog clock with Jack and Sally figures “behind” it and there legs move like a pendulum, or they would if I knew how to make them work. -l- I think I’ll make Rian take a picture so that I can show the world.

We’re slowly adding domestic type things to the place. I think that after I start working, I’ll start adding “womanly” decorative touches as the place is pretty bare as it is. That’s okay for now but, in the long run, I’ll want to spruce it up.

The weather has been rather crappy lately. It’s either drizzling rain or blowing insanely and while I don’t much mind the rain, when I hear the wind outside it makes it feel like the world is extremely desolate and lonely and makes my mood a little more blah than it otherwise might be.

I’ve been posting at forums more as of late so why don’t you waste some time with me, too? At all of these I go as anaesthetic.

Lavish JRI Tape Reservation Road

I just recently stumbled across this book in the Milwaukee County Library Catalog system and decided to give it a whirl. Although it wasn’t what I expected, it was an interesting read but certainly not a work of any literary genius. The chapters of the book float through author Robin Shamburg’s experience of being a dominatrix to subsidize her her life as a write and cover her theories on the life and the clients, her advice on being a dominatrix and her experiences in the profession which does not involved sex or prostitution and is completely legal. It’s an interesting read if you’re interested in becoming a professional dominatrix, alternative lifestyles, or just have an open mind.

The second book I finished recently I picked up upon the day of its release as I had been anxiously awaiting it: Phantom by Terry Goodkind. I had been reading the series since graduation and had finally caught up to Terry’s writing speed so I’d filled the offtime with several other books of considerably less pages. (The books in the Sword of Truth Series often are between 600 and 900 pages.)

Anyway, I picked up this book, the second in the ending trilogy of the series and went through it anxiously as the war loomed impossibly over Richard Rahl’s head and there seemed nothing which could be done to win it. Simultaneously those closest to Richard, while they may or may not believe in Kahlan’s existance, beg him to stop chasing phantoms which gives Riachrd an idea which may be the key to turning the tides of the war.

At the end of the book Kahlan is still missing and Richard is kidnapped by a witch woman no one knew existed, and although the war is turning slightly in their direction the conflicts are ongoing and won’t be resolved until the very end, the end of the series that is. I heard the enxt book won’t be out until 2008. -pouts-

Anyway, this is a good book which will really keep you on the edge of your seat and Terry has made it very easy to understand Richard’s conflicting emotions about the war and Kahlan. While any of these books really stand on their own, if you’re interested I suggest you start form the beginning of an awesome series.