Books, books and books
Recently I have been buying and reading a hell of a lot of books, and the books I've been drawn to recently haven't been fictional works, but quite advanced and heavy reading history books, focussed on pretty much anything over the 20th Century, so mainly the world wars, Nazism, the Cold War and the breaking of Empires. I've always enjoyed reading - especially historical books - but I've never read so many books, by choice, in such a short space of time before. I'm starting to amass quite a collection here now. And you know something, I love it. It's better than sitting and watching TV, or killing time on the internet, or watching DVDs. I feel mentally sharp once again, and feel like I'm on top of my game again, especially with the two week holiday from work. It feels fantastic, and I love it.
One book is one that Clare bought me for my birthday, and it is a really good book. It is by Sir Ian Kershaw (who is a fantastic historian and author) and it is called Fateful Choices, and basically looks at 10 decisions that changed the course of the world between 1940 and 1941, so as you'll summise, it is focussed on the World War. It is really good, and if history is your cup of tea, than I would recommend this book - and any by the author - and can guarantee you shall not be disappointed.
It feels really good to have rediscovered a strong passion and interest of mine; as Clare keeps telling me, she finds it very refereshing to be with someone who has a strong passion for something. She says she can really tell I know my stuff and my eyes light up when we are in a book store and I'm leafing through history books. And you know, she is right. It is good to have a strong passion and interest in something, and something that extends beyond TV or DVDs or drinking. But something USEFUL.
While on the subject of Clare, she said the sweetest thing to me last night, that despite me getting many, many compliments in life, this one really, really hit the mark. She said she thinks I would be a fantastic Father, and that, if she could pick anyone right now, it'd be me she wants to Father her children. Now she didn't mean we're going to have kids or anything, and was speaking hypothetically, but how fuckin' awesome is that?! I mean, being told you're "A great guy" or "Fantastic" or whatever is nothing comapred to that. Maybe it is because having children is this single biggest step to take in life - more so than marriage (which isn't as strong of a vow as it once was), but kids... well, they literally are for life. Really made me up, did that.
One book is one that Clare bought me for my birthday, and it is a really good book. It is by Sir Ian Kershaw (who is a fantastic historian and author) and it is called Fateful Choices, and basically looks at 10 decisions that changed the course of the world between 1940 and 1941, so as you'll summise, it is focussed on the World War. It is really good, and if history is your cup of tea, than I would recommend this book - and any by the author - and can guarantee you shall not be disappointed.
It feels really good to have rediscovered a strong passion and interest of mine; as Clare keeps telling me, she finds it very refereshing to be with someone who has a strong passion for something. She says she can really tell I know my stuff and my eyes light up when we are in a book store and I'm leafing through history books. And you know, she is right. It is good to have a strong passion and interest in something, and something that extends beyond TV or DVDs or drinking. But something USEFUL.
While on the subject of Clare, she said the sweetest thing to me last night, that despite me getting many, many compliments in life, this one really, really hit the mark. She said she thinks I would be a fantastic Father, and that, if she could pick anyone right now, it'd be me she wants to Father her children. Now she didn't mean we're going to have kids or anything, and was speaking hypothetically, but how fuckin' awesome is that?! I mean, being told you're "A great guy" or "Fantastic" or whatever is nothing comapred to that. Maybe it is because having children is this single biggest step to take in life - more so than marriage (which isn't as strong of a vow as it once was), but kids... well, they literally are for life. Really made me up, did that.