Reading just isn't for me

I have to explain this all the time to people. I don't understand why people don't believe me, or just choose to think I'm an idiot. I don't like to read. I don't read books for leisure. I don’t get lost in books. I don’t have a problem putting a book down after I pick it up. I can wait forever to read the latest best seller. Reading just doesn’t do anything for me.

Now this isn’t to say I never read anything. I consume vast quantities of news and technology articles, but they come in small doses and I never spend that much time on any one topic or article. I get what I need and get out. I don’t need a lot of descriptive wording – just the facts ma’am.

I think my sister is finally starting to get it. A conversation we had recently finally helped her see the light, I hope. She asked me why people spend so much time in games like WoW. I told her it was like any other hobby. I said, “People spend time doing the things they enjoy. For example, I don’t understand why people spend so much time reading books.” Her face changed and I thought maybe this time it made sense to her – the light bulb lit. We’ll see if she got it.

I know she just wants to share the thing she loves to do with me and wants me to enjoy it as well. The problem is that I don’t. Like her though, so many people want to push me to read because THEY enjoy the hobby. It’s actually quite draining and a little unfair – especially since I don’t push my hobbies on them in equal return. It’s not like I push other people to go out and play soccer every chance I get. I share the fact that I play, but only in the sense of letting them know what I’ve been up to lately. I don't constantly ask why they aren't playing soccer this week.

Since it seems I need to defend my position on reading constantly, I'm doing it here and referencing it for future use. Here are a few quotes from some people you might have heard of:

“The multitude of books is making us ignorant.” ~ Voltaire

“Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.” ~ Albert Einstein

“Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought.” ~ Sir Arthur Helps

I enjoy thinking and living life too much to spend time in books. Without knowing history you are doomed to repeat it is true, but if all you ever do is read about history you’re doomed to never see the future. I love thinking about a multitude of topics in depth. And although I may never have an original thought, how many people these days truly do? I like to discover things for myself as much as I like to hear about other’s discoveries. My question is this, what could you have discovered, created or accomplished while you were lost in that latest best seller? Is it better to read about life, or to live it?

Women making more $

It is not just an occasional abnormality for a woman to make more than her spouse/partner these days. For many years before we got married Salvacion made more money than I did. She started working sooner and she got her degree. Even though she stays home now, she has the potential to make more money than me in a professional setting. It never really bothered me, other than the fact that for many years I made less than everyone I had been in school with. Of course that could just be a function of the fact that I left school without completing my degree.

So, even though women (as a whole) want equality, why do they complain about men who make less than they do? I read an article recounting the conversation of several women regarding the subject of dating men that make less money and the comments are quite astounding. I thought we were looking for equality here? As I’ve said in the past, don’t believe the lies – the women’s movement is not about equality.

“Dating a man without money is really tough because you end up paying for everything and that wears on you after awhile.” Really? Welcome to a man’s world baby. Why should it matter who pays for what in the relationship? I thought we were working towards equality here?

“It’s the romance and chivalry that women want—not the free meal.” Well, whether that’s true or not, I’m not about to deny I love getting a free meal. If it comes with a side of romance, well, that just means I don’t need to order dessert. But since you brought it up, why is a man expected to pick up the tab in this equality-driven age?

“Guys should also pay for dates early on. Career women are happy to pick up the tab when dating someone seriously, but in the early stages of dating, the guy should get the tab. It sets the stage for building a stronger relationship.” Oh, that’s right because we all know that when men pay for things it is the solid foundation on which all great relationships are built.

“It’s not that I couldn’t fall in love with someone who made less money than I do, but it would be difficult. I want to settle down with someone who can take care of me and support a family.” I thought women didn’t need men to take care of them in this day and age. Isn’t that a sexist thought now? I guess that falls in line with the whole “men should pay for dates” methodology. Learn them early that their money is your money – now I get it.

On the flip side though, “For a woman who’s on a limited budget and feels strapped, it’s scary to take on someone who’s making significantly less money.” Wow, you just described the majority of young men in America. Before you get your panties in a bunch, what I mean is that most young men are financially “strapped” yet still expected to pay for dates.

Welcome to equality ladies. It is sometimes ugly, but it’s what you said you wanted. If women are going to expect men to pay for dates then women should expect to make less money than men. It’s only fair that the men should make more if the women are always getting the free meal ticket. If women want equality then they better stop complaining and start ponying up the dough. Actually that's the problem – women are split on what they want.

Facebook takes a bite

Facebook has been eating up the time usually spent blogging. As a result the updates as of late have been fewer and further between. I may drop back to bi-weekly blog entries as a result. This is still the place for me to convey information and espouse about everything under the sun, but I’m spending more time on Facebook because it requires less effort.

I’ve posted some fun stuff on Facebook that you won’t find here as well. For example, I posted a note on Facebook listing the 20 most influential music albums I’ve owned. I also posted 25 random facts about me, which states I’ve been to and some of my additional Album Art game results. I don’t see any reason to transfer that stuff over here and have it all listed in two places.

As a result of making the list of influential albums, I went looking for some old tapes to listen to in the car during my commute to and from work. Since the commuting cars are both more than 15 years old, I don’t see any reason to update their stereos right this moment. They only have AM/FM/Tape and so I’ve been looking for things to listen too. The last two days I’ve been enjoying ZZ Top, Afterburner. I forgot how much I like this album. I played it in the boom box while at home Sunday, and Chloe said she liked it. She was dancing to the music and really excited. She sure does love music. I might just have to pick up this CD to listen to elsewhere.

I’ve also really been craving some Jazz. I’m thinking of just dropping a little cash on some Herbie Hancock, Louis Armstrong or Glenn Miller. I don’t think I can go wrong with any of these gentlemen. My music tastes must be shifting again. It’s probably about time.