Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Strange sight and other stuff

Saw something strange today. I was driving to work this morning when I came to a stop light. Crossing the road in front of me in the crosswalk was a young woman (probably mid-20's) who was reading a hardback book while crossing the street. It looked like she was on the last few pages but sheesh!, does she have a death wish or something. Now I have been known to read while walking back in my college days but never while crossing the street. I live in an area where pedestrians have more rights than drivers but still people have been known to be killed in a crosswalk even around here. You can't trust drivers to actually see you. And to top it off, it was raining! So the pages had to have been getting wet. Must have been a really good book. Wonder what it was :)

I'm a software tester and I use a computer constantly everyday. Using my mouse has been causing me pain and severe coldness in my right hand for the last year or so. I've been trying to use my left hand for my mouse and trying to learn keyboard shortcuts which has helped a little. I decided to buy a new wireless mouse which is ambidextrous so I can use it with either hand. I came across a review at cnet.com for wireless mouses (or mice) and the top rated one seemed to fill the bill. It's made for smaller hands (yeah, I have small hands and small feet - completely out of proportion to my butt) and can be used with either hand. It has a scroll wheel that is the fastest one on the market - it really screams. And the mouse is wireless so I can move it anywhere on my desk or even to my lap. I like to keep it on the left side of my keyboard and I use it with either hand. I'm getting pretty good at using it with my left hand, but when I'm in a hurry I can use my right hand. Yeah, it was pricey but worth it. Almost no pain or coldness in my hand/arm now.

I went through my spreadsheet and came up with a list of more than 125 books of my favorite books for AAR's Top 100 Romances poll. You have until October 31st to submit it but I'd like to get it done before that. I still need to trim it down but putting it in order of preference is going to be a very difficult task.

I came across this link about the cheapest days to buy certain items to get the best deals. Check it out. Under Books is says that the cheapest day to buy is Thursday.

Reading now: The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt and it has a fascinating hero whose wit just leaps off the pages. The heroine is well done too. I just came across a very funny dinner scene that had me laughing out loud. KristieJ just reviewed it and gave it a top score and put it on her Top 100 Romances list. I have a feeling I'm going to be doing the same thing when I finish it. What's everyone reading now?

9 comments:

Rosie said...

I've read in a lot of different spaces and places, but I don't think I've ever read crossing a street.

As for the mouse. I have an ergonomic wireless mouse. I love it and it helps tremendously with my rheumatoid arthritis. My doctor suggested it a few years ago when my arthritis first appeared.

THE SERPENT PRINCE was a peachy read. Sounds like you are enjoying it too.

Holly said...

I just finished TSP, too. Fab read.

I've read while crossing the street..but not usually at a busy intersection.

ReneeW said...

Rosie: My two sisters have a genetic form of arthritis that I seem to have escaped so far except for a few aches and pains in my joints. Nothing as serious as theirs. I put off getting a new mouse for a long time but I'm so glad I finally spent the money. I'm glad to hear it helps you. RA is no fun. Still loving TSP - Kristie is right - this guy is a true anti-hero.

Holly: Glad to hear your opinion on TSP. Now you are braver than me. If I tried reading while crossing the street I'd probably fall flat on my face and then get run over by a car. Yeah, this was a busy intersection. You be careful, girl! :)

Gigi said...

TSP was a keeper for me too. So far all three of her books are on my keeper shelf.

CindyS said...

When I was in my twenties and in my 'depression' periods I would walk and write at the same time. Have no clue how I did it because there wouldn't be a hope now. I think as we get older we realize the stupid things we used to do - like speeding and uh maybe a little racing. Bad Cindy.

I'm so glad that your hand and arm are better. I also have a wireless mouse and will move it anywhere I need it but I'm not nearly efficient enough with my left hand.

Poor Bob was told by his doc that he had to stop using his right arm or he would lose the ability to move it permanently. We had a reno house at the time and he just couldn't stop using his right hand. I put my foot down after that one sold and he rested his arm - Thank God he can still use his hand and arm and the pain only comes when he's worked a long day building but at least now, he will hire out drywalling because that alone can ruin his arm for months.

I'm all about health and well being. YOU DESERVED THAT MOUSE ;) Expensive or no.

Egads, am I ranting or what. Sorry trying to wind down before bed. And I so wish I had seen you all reading the Serpent Prince before today so I could have bought the book while I was at the bookstore. Looks like Bob will be waiting in the car again while I rummage around ;)

I haven't started my 100 list and I'm a pollster. Very Bad Cindy.

Jennie said...

I learned to mouse with my left hand too--it was really hard at first, wasn't it? But kind of a challenge. A science teacher of mine back in grade school used to make us write with our non-dominant hands sometimes--I thought it was really weird at the time (she had some theory about exercising all the parts of your brain--she was a bit odd) but hey, maybe it helped. :)

ReneeW said...

Giselle: I stayed up late last night and finished. I LOVED it. I think it's my favorite of the series and that's saying something because I loved the other two. The ending was so romantic, I think I read it three times now.

Cindy: Thanks, I think I deserve it too. Bob sorta gave me 'the look' when I told him about it but he didn't say a word. I so agree about taking care of your health. Your Bob has you to look out for him. Sometimes men just don't know when to quit. As we get older it's so important to take breaks and rest. You must go shopping for TSP. I think you'll like it. And did I mention it is HOT HOT HOT?

Jennie: Yes, learning the left hand thing is hard but I was amazed that I could even do it. That's cool about your teacher. And she's right. The left side of your brain controls your right hand and the right side of your brain controls your left hand. I'm finding a few friends that have started using the mouse with their left hand too. I think this is a common problem now.

Anonymous said...

OMG! That's funny about the woman reading. I've read well walking home from work before, I have to cross a busy overpass to get to my road. I don't take my book out till after I'm past the overpass. What this woman needs to do is buy audio books, or download some. It would be a lot safer to listen to something, at least then you can look up and pay attention.

ReneeW said...

Crystal: LOL, I think my jaw dropped opened when I saw her. Plus it was raining. That can't be good for a book. Oh, yeah, audio book would be perfect.

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