So, I got the much anticipated phone call at 8:00AM this morning that work was called off today on account of snow. I was a bit surprised because when I awoke at 4:00AM we had less than an inch of accumulation. But every day you don't have to work and still get paid is a good day!
Now I had the enviable task of figuring out how to enjoy my bonus day off. First off, sausages, biscuits, gravy and scrambled eggs. Next, up to the computer to float through cyberspace and see what I encounter. And what I encountered was a piece of literature I was first exposed to in 1970. George Orwell's 1984.
I downloaded it and dumped it into iTunes. And I have to say it is shocking at how accurately it depicts our current society. In fact, downright scary!
Everything from revising history to match the "official" version of the past to an all-knowing government which uses pervasive and constant surveillance of the populace... reminds me of going to the grocery store last week and reading the signs on the light poles that say the parking lot is under video surveillance 24 hours a day.
Anyway, much of 1984 depicts (predicts?) life in America in the early 2000s. If you've already read it, I still recommend a revised reading. If not, you have to check it out. If for no other reason than to understand the traffic citation you got from the camera at 4th and Main last month.
5 comments:
You know, I've been slowly chipping away at my old middle school and high school reading lists and going back to truly appreciate some of the books. I haven't read this one since 8th grade. Perhaps it's time to read it again.
curse you. i had to go in. i was going to VPN, but being new and them knowing i'm from western PA...i couldn't risk being called...well, you know. i left at 6:50 driving over the 4 inches or so in my driveway and creeping to work. commute took 70 and normal is 40 so it wasnt that bad. i am currently reading Jerome Bettis' book which Mrs. Fan got me for Christmas.
Instead of working, I had to shovel snow out of my driveway and walk yesterday. Then, as usual, as soon as I've got it cleared, the snow plow comes by and plows my driveway shut. On top of that, the wind was blowing so hard yesterday I had to scrape off almost another inch of snow after I thought I was done.
Finally the ice that clung to my (mini-ZZ Top) goatee sent me back into the house.
So my day off wasn't just a big breakfast and curling up by the fire with an audio book.
The dogs like having someone to hang out with all day too. Although Mrs. Dog has been working from home quite a bit lately she doesn't play with them (chase them in the snow) like me. Probably why they don't let me work from home!
I'll trade you...I'll play with your dogs for the day and you can keep the 2.5 year old busy while trying to work remotely. Fun. Emma is a big help, luckily.
You know, I think I'm gonna have to start d/ling a lot of the old books and listen to them as I do stuff (like play video games -- normally I have a movie going on in the background). I recently d/l'd the BBC radio version of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and it's awesome. Thanks for the idea!
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