Christmas 2007 Reading Poll

[Janine]

Is the name Patrick super masculine? I will try altering my profile.

Patrick is a very nice name; good Irish name... I find it masculine...I don't know any women named Patrick, do you? My son and his wife have a boy name picked out I don't like. Think I will ask them about Patrick. Dori (Patrick), can I adopt you as a grandson? How funny you did alter your profile.....

EDIT: I edited my profile. The title under my username now says "A [Male] Hugoist" and in the biography section of my profile, I wrote "I'm a guy, despite what seems to be a somewhat feminine username."

Hopefully that's enough.

I sure hope it is enough. Poor Dori.

Glad now I just used my 'real' name, to begin with. I am so forgetful, I might even forget what my user name is someday, so this is simplier for me in the long-run. Also, I don't think there are any male "Janine's" do you?

[downing]

Janine and Dori, Mens sana in corpore sano (the Latin quote Baz was referring to) means ''a healthy brain in a healthy body'' and it is a very well-known quote over here, not just for people who know Latin, but also for regular people, because the quote is many times told in traslation(I often hear it in Romanian, I do not know about Croatian...how is it Baz?). The quote referrs to the importance of making sport (see soccer episode ), which helps you to have a healthy brain, also.Hope I explained OK, Baz

[bazarov]

Playing soccer makes your body healthy and reading books makes your brain smart.
Hah, what could we expect from Downing? Bravo!!!

On Croatian( if you insist) is: Zdrav duh u zdravom tijelu!

[Janine]

Playing soccer makes your body healthy and reading books makes your brain smart.
Hah, what could we expect from Downing? Bravo!!!

On Croatian( if you insist) is: Zdrav duh u zdravom tijelu!

Great things, no doubt, her swimming exercising must make her smarter!


My own exercising is typing - my hands sure do get stronge!

[Dori]

Thanks, Downing, for clearing things up. I still haven't ever heard anyone (except you, Baz) say that before.

Patrick is a very nice name; good Irish name... I find it masculine...I don't know any women named Patrick, do you? My son and his wife have a boy name picked out I don't like. Think I will ask them about Patrick. Dori (Patrick), can I adopt you as a grandson? How funny you did alter your profile.....

Sure, you can adopt me! (That means more Christmas presents!! ) Oh, and I am part Irish. And no, I don't know any women named Patrick.

Glad now I just used my 'real' name, to begin with. I am so forgetful, I might even forget what my user name is someday, so this is simplier for me in the long-run. Also, I don't think there are any male "Janine's" do you?

No, I haven't heard of (nor seen) any male Janine's. In fact, you're the only Janine I know.

[Janine]

Thanks, Downing, for clearing things up. I still haven't ever heard anyone (except you, Baz) say that before.

Downing, thanks to you for clearing that up. I had heard of it but usually just skip past it without knowing exactly what it means. Thanks again, D, you can be our interpreter!

Sure, you can adopt me! (That means more Christmas presents!! ) Oh, and I am part Irish. And no, I don't know any women named Patrick.

Sure that would be great, Dory - I seem to have a lot of 'adoptive' 'grand-daugher's now and a grandson would be cool...and a half Irish one, as well....join the gang! My son is half Irish, myself being English/Scottish by family genes.
Awww, so sorry... no presents this year. I have to save up for the new baby - my first grand-child. I bet your real grandma will indulge you though and you will get a particularly large Christmas stocking filled with goodies!

No, I haven't heard of (nor seen) any male Janine's. In fact, you're the only Janine I know.

How 'bout that! My name was a 'rarity' when I was born, many moons ago, but now there are a lot of kids being named Janine, and they are all female that I know of.

[Dori]

Sure that would be great, Dory - I seem to have a lot of 'adoptive' 'grand-daugher's now and a grandson would be cool...and a half Irish one, as well....join the gang! My son is half Irish, myself being English/Scottish by family genes.
Awww, so sorry... no presents this year. I have to save up for the new baby - my first grand-child. I bet your real grandma will indulge you though and you will get a particularly large Christmas stocking filled with goodies!

Yes, I will be plenty spoiled by the time Christmas is over. I have more grandparents than usual due to my Mom's divorce and her remarrying. Also one of my grandfathers divorced my grandma, so I get two individual presents, rather than one communal present. After the small presents from my aunts and uncles, I get loads from my parents. Too much, perhaps.

Now everyone knows my family history...

[grace86]

I borrowed Fathers and Sons from the library today!!!

Speaking of spoiled for Christmas...my best friend just bought me a hardcover Everyman's edition of my favorite book (so far it still remains my #1), Crime and Punishment!!!!! But I don't get it until Christmas!

[Janine]

Yes, I will be plenty spoiled by the time Christmas is over. I have more grandparents than usual due to my Mom's divorce and her remarrying. Also one of my grandfathers divorced my grandma, so I get two individual presents, rather than one communal present. After the small presents from my aunts and uncles, I get loads from my parents. Too much, perhaps.

Dori, I would think so - lucky you. Well, you just might get a nice cyberspace gift from me but I can't compete against all these grandparents.

Now everyone knows my family history...

I was thinking the same thing. I hope you come out ok...

I borrowed Fathers and Sons from the library today!!!

Speaking of spoiled for Christmas...my best friend just bought me a hardcover Everyman's edition of my favorite book (so far it still remains my #1), Crime and Punishment!!!!! But I don't get it until Christmas!

Good deal, Grace, glad it was available in your library. By the way, I started reading it last night - got to chapter 5 I think since they are so fast and short little chapters.
Wow, what a nice gift from your friend! No peeking until Christmas morning.


*sigh* wish someone would spoil me *sigh*.....

[Dori]

I borrowed Fathers and Sons from the library today!!!

Speaking of spoiled for Christmas...my best friend just bought me a hardcover Everyman's edition of my favorite book (so far it still remains my #1), Crime and Punishment!!!!! But I don't get it until Christmas!

If only those who spoiled me bought such wonderful presents... All I get are gift cards to Barnes and Nobles (and/or money).

Well, you just might get a nice cyberspace gift from me but I can't compete against all these grandparents.

You're probably right. My parents can't even compete.

[Janine]

If only those who spoiled me bought such wonderful presents... All I get are gift cards to Barnes and Nobles (and/or money).

What?! Dori, you ungrateful little brat! Money cards to B&N are the best or just plain money - who can argue with that one. This way you get to shop at your heart's content and pick out whatever books you want the most. One year my sister gave me money to spend on Amazon - I had a grand time. I think this year she is going to give me the same, which doesn't make me one bit unhappy.

You're probably right. My parents can't even compete.

Hahaha - I do think that an understatement! I imagine they spoil you rotten. I will have to come up with something interesting for you in cyberspace, now that I have adopted you, cyberspace-speaking-wise. something like that....?.....

[Dori]

What?! Dori, you ungrateful little brat! Money cards to B&N are the best or just plain money - who can argue with that one. This way you get to shop at your heart's content and pick out whatever books you want the most. One year my sister gave me money to spend on Amazon - I had a grand time. I think this year she is going to give me the same, which doesn't make me one bit unhappy.

I would prefer someone to put an effort into buying me a present. If someone bought me a very nice hardcover version of my favorite book, I would be ten times happier than if they were to give me a $50 bill (even though the $50 bill is probably worth more money-wise).

Hahaha - I do think that an understatement! I imagine they spoil you rotten. I will have to come up with something interesting for you in cyberspace, now that I have adopted you, cyberspace-speaking-wise. something like that....?.....

Yes, that was an understatement. Besides, my parents spoil me all year, not just occasionally.

[Janine]

I would prefer someone to put an effort into buying me a present. If someone bought me a very nice hardcover version of my favorite book, I would be ten times happier than if they were to give me a $50bill (even though the $50 bill is probably worth more money-wise).

Poor Dori ....but seriously, Dori, I do grasp your meaning here and I agree because I have stronge feelings that Christmas is not anything like it used to be, when I was younger. Then it was all about 'surprise' and making a person 'happy', but now it seems to have narrowed down to how much one can get or give to another person in the form of the almighty dollar! I do abhor it all so - the commericalism. I think that if we could get back to the simple idea of - 'it is the thought that counts, not the gift', then this world would be a kinder and gentler place. We really do forget that Christmas is a time of 'magic' and 'surprise', so I can see how thrilling it would be to find your friend or family 'intune' with what you really like or enjoy and if they were to give you a special personal gift, from a little imagination on their part; one that you would cherish always.
I have a book of poetry my mother gave me, when I was younger and I thought that one of my very nicest gifts ever. Another time a friend who found out I liked to draw and sketch ballet dancers, gave me a figurine - very lovely. I once got a drawing board which, was right up my alley and I cherish it to this day. So I really can see you point. You must be sensitive and sentimental which is nice to find in a person these days.

... that was an understatement. Besides, my parents spoil me all year, not just occasionally.

Well, that is nice. I would rather get gifts when they are not expected than now at Christmas when it becomes a requirement. I don't think that is the true spirit of giving, do you?

[Dori]

Poor Dori ....but seriously, Dori, I do grasp your meaning here and I agree because I have stronge feelings that Christmas is not anything like it used to be, when I was younger. Then it was all about 'surprise' and making a person 'happy', but now it seems to have narrowed down to how much one can get or give to another person in the form of the almighty dollar! I do abhor it all so - the commericalism. I think that if we could get back to the simple idea of - 'it is the thought that counts, not the gift', then this world would be a kinder and gentler place. We really do forget that Christmas is a time of 'magic' and 'surprise', so I can see how thrilling it would be to find your friend or family 'intune' with what you really like or enjoy and if they were to give you a special personal gift, from a little imagination on their part; one that you would cherish always.

My thoughts exactly.

Well, that is nice. I would rather get gifts when they are not expected than now at Christmas when it becomes a requirement. I don't think that is the true spirit of giving, do you?

I agree. Not too long ago, the History Book Club sent me the book 1776 (the Illustrate Version) because I didn't return a notice that was supposed to tell them not to send it. I asked my mom what to do with it and she said I could keep it and that she would pay for it (this wasn't a cheap book, it cost her $40). I was very happy. And I love it when my mom picks up books that are unwanted by libraries.

[Janine]

My thoughts exactly.

Dori, see you do have a sentimental side...I knew it! I can understand that and it is sometimes nice to just get this small gift that can be 'personal' and not something necessarily costing a lot of money. I think the best gifts come from the 'heart' and I find things like inscribed books or thoughtful ideas like special CD's one would cherish, or something one collects, or even homemade gifts are a nice way of sharing and understanding what pleases another person. These are usually the best gifts of all because they are 'meaningful'.

I agree. Not too long ago, the History Book Club sent me the book 1776 (the Illustrate Version) because I didn't return a notice that was supposed to tell them not to send it. I asked my mom what to do with it and she said I could keep it and that she would pay for it (this wasn't a cheap book, it cost her $40). I was very happy. And I love it when my mom picks up books that are unwanted by libraries.

Wow, you have a nice mother....that is great. I am like your mother, in that I also pick up many a book at my library, in the free give-away section. I often get these for my friends as well, if it be something I know they would like. See, it does not take a lot of money to please another person. I think freshly picked home grown flowers, can sometimes be nicer, than buying an expensive bouquet at a florist. Using that as an analogy.