The Finished Book Questionnaire

1 . Do you keep a list of the books you have read?

You bet. I use Storygraph, Primarily. I just personally love the granularity of control over the user experience. I am also still on Goodreads because that's how my reviews get on this blog. I also use Librarything, which is super amazing and  a great place to get reviewer copies. before these services existed at least once a year or so I would accidentally pick up a book I previously DNF'd and start reading it again only to realize I still didn't like it.

2. If you record statistics, what statistics do you record?

Librarything likes you to track physical dimensions and weight of your books, so I do that over there. Storygraph provides me with stats on genres, how many books by which author, pages read, total books read, all by the year or the month.

3. Do you give star ratings for books and if so, what do you score books out of and how do you come about this score?

Yes, I do:

My rating System:
* = I got through it, but it barely held my attention
** = It was just okay
*** = I Liked it quite a bit
**** = I really enjoyed it/it made me think
***** = Phenomenal, outstanding, author on my automatic library list.

I also have certain author's I will automatically by at thrift stores or Friends of the Library/charity book sales, or garage sales. I never buy something new without reading it first.

4. Do you review books?

Absotively, but you already knew that. *wink*. This is a book blog after all. I post my reviews here, Librarything, Storygraph, Goodreads, and tumblr.

5. Where do you put your finished books?

I usually return them to the library. If they are a review copy and I disliked it, I follow the instructions from the provider. Either recycling it or donating it as appropriate. for audiobooks that are Advanced Listening copies I delete them when finished/DNF'd.

6. Do you have any other rituals for when you have finished a book?

Aside from writing that review, not really. Though I am considering making a book bandana, or scarf maybe.

Credit to the Twirling Book Princess for the idea to do this post

Crown Villa Repairs

 

A Go Fund Me has been launched on behalf of the residents of the Crown Villa. This property has fallen into extreme disrepair. A circumstance that befalls many who are low income. A local news paper the Vernon MorningStar has independently verified the offer from a business that wishes to remain anonymous. The organizer is one Rhonda Poffenroth, a concerned citizen.

Poffenroth will steward the fundraiser and ensure all donations go directly to the company for repairs. The fundraiser is not in any way for the landlord, whom many feel has been negligent. This is the latest development in a saga of woe for the residents. 

As of this writing the fundraiser has raised $1900. The need is $80,000.

Things to do in BC to Celebrate Autumn

 Looking for some fun in the autumn sun?

Well, look no further. Below I have compiled some of my personal favorite harvest season activities.

First up is visiting your local pumpkin patch. This works for outings with friends and family alike. It also works as date opportunity, too. Basically any time you want to get some fresh air and have some great photos. 

Of course picking out your own pumpkins from a local, organic grower has great benefits for the local economy as well. I've Included some ideas to get you started:

1. The Pumpkin Patch in Armstrong
   
2. McMillan Farms in Kelowna
3. Greendale Acres in Chilliwack 
4. Davison Orchards in Vernon
5. Glacier Valley Farm in Brackendale

Next up, corn mazes and Corn picking. This is a great one for atmospheric pictures, and for some fun, and frustration, while honing navigation skills.

1. Greendale Acres in Chilliwack
2. Field of Screams in Vernon (Halloween horror themed)
3. Cariboo's Corn Maze north of Williams Lake

If you prefer your autumn fun a little more structured, many communities have harvest festivals:

• Armstrong
• Feast of Fields
• Nelson

AI vs Algorithmic learning: What's the Difference?

     Lately everyone, and I mean everyone seems to be claiming to use AI. Are they, though? The short answer; no. Let's expand that.

    

    Above you see a poster for the movie AI: Artificial intelligence. The movie is about AI. The definition of AI is clear: AI is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy.

    That last bit about autonomy is key. Both in the film and in the definition. The last part means that once you build it you no longer have any control over what it does, or doesn't, do. This is why Asimov made his rules.

They are:

(1) Don't HARM HUMANS 

(2) OBEY HUMANS 

(3) Protect robots unless it conflicts with rules 1 or 2.

I am paraphrasing for conciseness. IF we think back to the definition of AI, it can learn and it has autonomy. This means it can decide to ignore it's programming. Basically Asimov's rules exist to try and nullify AI.

    Can today's technology do any of this? It CAN solve problems depending on complexity. IT CAN'T do any of the rest of the list. It can't think for you, it isn't creative, it can't decide things for you, and it doesn't have autonomy.

 

   Algorithmic learning, in the context of artificial intelligence, refers to the process where machines or algorithms learn from data to improve their performance on a specific task.

 

   So algorithmic learning is best illustrated in action by Alan Turing's ENIGMA machine used during World War II. This complex beast of a machine was programmed to try and crack codes used by nazis. The machine required a human to program it. 

 

   It ran day and night trying all possible combinations of letters and numbers to break this code. On it's own it may have taken decades to break the code, had someone not realized the same length grouping of letters was always at the bottom of each message. Once a human figured out those words. they could program ENIGMA to break the code every time it was changed.

    While algorithmic learning is the foundation of AI, it is not AI. Not by a long shot. Could you imagine what may have happened if ENIGMA had autonomy and the capacity for decisions. It may have refused to do it's job, started making up answers to spite its' bosses, or maybe even given bad Intel due to sympathising with nazis.

 

   It's a very good thing all it could do was solve a problem. Today's algorithms have complex capacity to solve what they are programmed to solve. That is not AI. Not yet.

Wildcard Wednesday: Independent Bookstore Day

    This Wildcard Wednesday is dedicated to Independent Bookstore Day! What is that you ask? It's an initiative designed to uplift independent bookstores.

    So, today April 26th, go forth and read! look up and enjoy your nearest independent bookstore. bookshop.org can help you on your way to greatness. They help indie shops in the US and UK to bridge the gap to provide online sales.

If you are, like me, hailing from Canada a quick online search on indiebookstores.ca will help you find your new favorite haunt.

The two I want to highlight are; Ebenezer's and Expressions of Time. The former provides access to a plethora of comics, collectibles, books, movies, CDs, toys, cards, video games and more! Expressions of Time has new and used books, crystals, jewelry both vintage and new, as well as bookmarks and trinkets.

Definitely worth the trip to the Okanagan. Expressions of Time is right near the beach too! Beach reads, anyone?

So, get out there and Enjoy Independent Bookstore Day!

Okanagan Entertainment

 

The Divya Sutra Plaza Hotel & Conference Center is the new home of the Winter Farmer's Market in Vernon, BC.

If you love getting farm fresh produce and artisanal products year round, it's the place to be. Until the End of October, weather permitting, the Vernon Farmer's Market will be held outdoors at the Kal Tire Place parking lot from 8AM -1PM Monday and Thursday. 

In addition, Saturdays from 9AM-2PM at the Divya Sutra parking lot, have been added to the remaining outdoor season. The Market moves all its days indoors at its new location beginning in November. Check out the Market at their socials on Instagram and on Facebook to keep up with any schedule and vendor announcements.

Also worth mentioning are the markets in other Okanagan communities:

Click here to learn more about all the markets on offer and their dates of operation.

As long you're in town take in a movie or intimate concert at The Towne theater. This venue has been a staple of the downtown core for decades. First as a dance hall, then as a cinema. In its latest iteration, the theater plays host to all manner of events. Upcoming is a concert featuring Darby Mills and PressPlay.

Tipping 'Culture' in Canada

           This article threw me off, and more recently this one. They both presuppose that tipping is a standard practice and even required across Canada. This is not at all the case. In the part of Western Canada I'm from, tipping is still seen as a slimy way that an employer is getting out of paying their staff fairly. 

In most circumstances, lots of us that live out here don't even see the prompt any more. We are well practiced at skipping right over it. Whether or not we tip is largely based on what we can afford and if the service was better than expected.

We've even had advocacy groups lobbying government to improve server wage minimums to make them match everyone else. Tipping culture in the eastern part of my country must be contributing to the high cost of living out there. By no means has tipping become entrenched in our society. Nor should it. 

What should become entrenched is that people deserve to be paid a living wage. Minimum wage was never meant to become 'wage'. It was meant to be a starting place for someone needing to gain work experience. The standard of care needs to return.

P.S. Tipping at places were you are not receiving a service is ridiculous. Tipping somewhere you do receive a service but you know the staff a re well-paid, such as your mechanic isn't necessary at all. In these places the machine only has tip prompts because the companies providing the machines charge to remove it.

Starting Seeds Inside

 

    This season I experimented with Jiffy brand seed tray greenhouses with peat pucks. This product claims to improve success rates for seed germinations. As far as success rate for germination the mini greenhouse certainly did its job.

    I chose to start from seed green zebra tomatoes, peppermint, dwarf snow peas, and rainbow chard. So far the peas liked the peat the best, and are growing strong as transplants into pots. While every seed pod I planted for chard did sprout they never formed roots and couldn't survive transplanting. I ended up re-sowing these directly in a pot. 

    The mint did not like the moisture in the mini greenhouse even after adding ventilation. These will also be getting direct sown into a pot. Three out of four of my Tomato seedlings survived the transplant process. Here's hoping they root well and prosper.

    All in all, I would use the greenhouse again sans peat. I would add a layer of potting mix and start the seeds in that with the lid for added warmth. Something else I've noticed is the tendency for seedlings to be really leggy. This is typically blamed on poor lighting strategy. though I think it is more likely to be the lack of nutrients in the peat coupled with the depth of possible seed placement. Hopefully this will be rectified by eliminating the peat in future uses.

Job Recruiting 101

 Disclaimer: all views expressed are my own opinions based on my experiences as a job seeker.

First, let's discuss relevant information. I see far too many job postings which look like a first year college essay. These usually contain several paragraphs about the company including its core vision and values. Then they will go on to include a segment about who the job seeker is, followed by a laundry list of requirements for both experience and education. If your job is entry level, this is especially off-putting.

The key issue with this format is, approachability. if the list of requirements is long and the wage point is minimum or just above it, you may end up communicating that you undervalue employees. Or that you don't know what you need. 

The next issue is being too information dense. A job seeker doesn't need this information at this stage. If you provide to much information about the business or position in the description it is hardly surprising that the question "do you have anything to ask me?" is often met with silence.

As a recruiter you want the job seeker to be interested in your job. You also want to communicate your needs and wants clearly.  Consider this, if your description were a resume, would you read it? If the answer is no, it needs a rewrite. Everyone's time has value.

Solutions to the above issues are: conciseness and directness. Some questions to ask yourself to build a solid job description are:

What do I need?

What do I want?

What am I willing to live without?

What do I need to provide in exchange?

A sample of how a job description written using this approach might look:

Seeking Cashiers for [name and business description here]. a short paragraph follows describing days/hours and wage expectation, as well as regular business hours.

Requirements

• list your needs here
• education level
• experience types and duration

Method of application:

list relevant email to contact or request resumes in person if not using built in application software, such as indeed.

Above all be sure needs are clearly laid out as well as compensation. Leave enough information off the description that there is something left to discuss in the interview.

Original Pollinators

What are original pollinators?

These are species of pollinator that occur naturally in an area as opposed to through importation. It may surprise you to learn that honeybees are not original pollinators in Canada. They were brought over from Europe to boost crop yields. 

There are over 970 different original pollinator bee species, including mason bees, digger bees, and sweat bees.  The most agriculturally important of which is bumblebees, and they don't eat dandelions. Dandelions are essentially the bee equivalent of eating nothing but donuts. Other original pollinators include hummingbirds and other small bird species. as well as butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, and the occasional chipmunk or squirrel (accidental pollinators).

Where do they live?

Original pollinator species of bee tend to live in burrows or cavities. Burrowing bees can live in mud, leaves, or wood. Bees that hive in cavities can be found in any previously used/open space like an abandoned bird nest, or holes in rock formations. An effective deterrent to them forming nests where you don't want is to spray the area down several times per season with 7%-10% acetic acid. 

What do they eat?

Original pollinators eat nectar from local species of flowers. These can include Goldenrod, Lupines, and Black-eyed Susan, among others. Check out the sources for more ideas. It is generally to plant a wide variety of shallow and deep plants with myriad colors.

Does Not Mowing My Lawn Help?

The short answer is no. Dandelions, as previously stated, are essentially junk food to most pollinators. They are also prolific weeds which will take over everything if given the chance. Not mowing is about as wise and useful as planting peppermint in the ground. It's more harm than good. If you really want to support honeybees put out pots of plants that they eat, nipping the buds off before they go to seed so they don't spread.

Sources

https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2014/aac-aafc/A59-12-2014-eng.pdf

https://www.pollinationguelph.ca/downloads

https://notsohollowfarm.ca/native-plants-for-a-butterfly-garden/

https://notsohollowfarm.ca/blog-gallery/

https://globalnews.ca/news/10504895/no-mow-may-master-gardener-nova-scotia/

Holidays and Observances in December

Hannukah - December 2nd to December 10th

Three Kings Day/Epiphany - January 6th

Winter Solstice - December 21st
Yule - December 21st to January 1st

St. Lucia Day - December 13th
St. Nicholas Day - December 6th
Christmas Eve/Day - December 24th/December 25th

Kwanzaa - December 26th to January 1st

Bodhi Day - December 8th 

Pancha Ganapati - December 21st to December 25th

New Year's Eve/Hogmanay - December 31st
Boxing Day - December 26th
Human rights Day - December 10th

Creativity Challenge: Winter Loon

Going off the Cover:

This is a swan princess adaptation, where someone turns into a loon and doesn't become human unless it snows.


Goodreads Synopsis:

Abandoned by his father after his mother drowns in a frozen Minnesota lake, fifteen-year-old Wes Ballot is stranded with cold hearted grandparents and holed up in his mother’s old bedroom surrounded by her remnants and memories. 

As the wait for his father stretches unforgivably into months, a local girl, whose own mother died a brutal death, captures his heart and imagination, reminding Wes that hope always floats to the surface.

When buried truths come to light in the spring thaw, wounds are exposed and violence erupts, forcing Wes to embark on a search for his missing father, the truth about his mother, and a future he must claim for himself—a quest that begins back at that frozen lake.

Did I Get Anything Right?

Nope, plumb wrong on this one. At least, as far as I can tell, I'm wrong.

Creativity Challenge:Lumberjanes; Parents' Day

Going off the Cover:

This is about what happens when people's parents visit them at summer camp.


Goodreads Synopsis:

Everyone at camp is super excited about the best day of the summer-Parents' Day, when they get to show their folks what they've been up to! Molly seems really worried, though, and even her friends are unsure of how to cheer her up.


Did I Get Anything Right?

Yup, pretty much right-on here.

Creativity Challenge: The Disasters

Going off the Cover:


This is about space travel, obviously. It is also about people who are very bad at astronaut school. Probably because they can't stop doing stunts.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hotshot pilot Nax Hall has a history of making poor life choices. So it’s not exactly a surprise when he’s kicked out of the elite Ellis Station Academy in less than twenty-four hours.

But Nax’s one-way trip back to Earth is cut short when a terrorist group attacks the Academy. Nax and three other washouts escape—barely—but they’re also the sole witnesses to the biggest crime in the history of space colonization. And the perfect scapegoats.

On the run and framed for atrocities they didn’t commit, Nax and his fellow failures execute a dangerous heist to spread the truth about what happened at the Academy.


They may not be “Academy material,” and they may not get along, but they’re the only ones left to step up and fight.

Did I Get Anything Right?

Astronauts and flunking out of a program are bang on the money. Didn't predict the framed for terrorism thing.

Creativity Challenge: Ghost of a Chance

Going off the Cover:

This story appears to be about dead people and how keep their living loved one safe and happy, with a comedic twist.


Goodreads Synopsis:

True love is like a ghost. Many people believe in both, but few find either. 

Samantha Shade has been hired to find out if there is more than rats and bats and feral cats haunting the crumbling remains of San Rafael Mission, home of Father Rodriguez’s impoverished flock. 

But soon the donut-addicted rookie private investigator is sidetracked by a series of murders occurring within the parish—and by the attractive police detective involved in that investigation. Several young men have been found murdered—each with a marigold between his lips. 

The clues all seem to lead to someone at San Rafael . Who could be responsible? Someone Sam knows and used to love? Soon Samantha comes all too close to the answer as she is led through the crypts below San Rafael on a journey that could only end on the Mexican Day of the Dead.

Did I Get Anything Right?

Nope, just the dead people.

Creativity Challenge: Elusion

Going off the Cover:

This is about people living life through virtual reality. Nothing is as it seems: they might not even be real.


Goodreads Synopsis:

Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it.

A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, visor and wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications—or consequences—of real life.

Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father’s unexpected death, Regan can’t bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.

Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion—accusations that it’s addictive and dangerous— Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty…a decision that will affect the lives of millions.


Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world, and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.

Did I Get Anything Right?

It does involve virtual reality so I did get that right. Other than that, nope.

So many questions, so little time

1. favourite place in your country?

Without a doubt that would be the night markets/markets in general. I don't get to go often but I love them.

3. does your country have access to sea?

Yes, on two coasts.

4. favourite dish specific for your country?

Poutine. I can't eat it much, way too rich. I always enjoy it when I do.

5. favourite song in your native language?

I'm particularly partial to Marianas Trench. The only band from high school that I can still stand listening to as an adult.

6. most hated song in your native language?

Well, that would have to be ironic by Alanis Morissette. The song either displays a profound understanding of irony or a profound lack of understanding. 

7. three words from your native language that you like the most?

Fascinating, Intriguing, and Nefarious.

8. do you get confused with other nationalities? if so, which ones and by whom?

British, and one time some creepy guy gave me the HH salute on a hot summer day because he saw my blond hair and assumed I would share his views, but that's not really a nationality. I was seriously skeeved out.

9. which of your neighbouring countries would you like to visit most/know best?

I have developed this fascination with the island of Malta (not my neighboring country, I know. I'm surrounded by the US, can you blame me?). I even thought about doing an exchange there for my final year of college.

10. most enjoyable swear word in your native language?

I don't have one.

11. favourite native writer/poet?

Kelley Armstrong (didn't actually know she was Canadian!)

16. which stereotype about your country you hate the most and which one you somewhat agree with?

There are still people in the world who think that Canadians live in igloos and drive dog sleds everywhere. We have roads, and we have houses. But we actually do say eh a lot mostly to confuse and annoy. Also we are not infallible viewing us as the great white polite north is wrong.

17. are you interested in your country’s history?

Yes and no. Yes as in I want unbiased textbooks which give me multiple perspectives. no as in i've studied a lot of it already and am tired of it all.

18. do you speak with a dialect of your native language?

Insofar as we don't use the same colloquialisms everywhere, and because newfoundlanders (newFUNDlanders) have developed darn near their own dialect.

19. do you like your country’s flag and/or emblem? what about the national anthem?

I think having national anthems in any country borders on fascism. And the flag is just okay.

20. which sport is The Sport in your country?

Technically, Lacrosse is the official sport. but Canadians go nuts for hockey.

Creativity Challenge: The Diamond of Drury Lane

Going off the Cover:


This one is about a totally dashing diamond-in-the-rough type. They perform in a place something like the Moulin Rouge lounge. I highly suspect there will be romance.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Set in 1790's Covent Garden this book whisks you back to a bygone era, and to embark on an adventure about one hidden treasure, two bare-knuckle boxers, three enemies, and four hundred and thirty-eight rioters.


It is the tale of Cat Royal, an orphan, four foot four with long red hair and not a penny to call her own. She lives in the Theater Royal on Drury Lane, a place filled with dramatic characters, theatrical spectacles, and now, a secret treasure--which Cat has been asked to protect. 

Her new friend Pedro, a former slave and gifted violinist, is eager to help, and so is the theater prompter, Jonathan, who is hiding secrets of his own. But when the ruthless gang leader Billy Shepherd learns about the treasure, Cat thinks she's going to lose it for sure. She still doesn't know what the treasure is, so how can she keep it safe from Billy and his gang? Follow Cat into the streets of London, as she faces danger and adventure, racing to be the first to discover the diamond of Drury Lane!

Did I Get Anything Right?

Well, there are certainly diamond-in-the-rough types all over this book. Again with the slavery thing. As for the treasure being protected, well, no one knows what it is. So, how can they possibly protect it?

Creativity Challenge: Pick Your Poison

Going off the Cover:

I Think this is a murder mystery featuring a killer no one suspects because she is cute and tiny. But she is so deadly, she's probably a serial killer. She poisons her victims, of course. But she makes them choose how they will die.


Goodreads Synopsis:

Out of school, out of work, and out of motivation, Abby Rose is contemplating her life and wondering what to do next. It's the kind of situation that would get some girls down, but luckily Abby's got a heart the size of Texas-and a bank account to match. But when she discovers the gardener dead in her greenhouse, Abby realizes what she needs to do with herself: she needs to solve a murder... 

Did I Get Anything Right?

Nope. Well I suppose it's still possible I could be right about the killers being a tiny girl who makes her victims pick their death. I'll just have to read it someday and find out.

Creativity Challenge: Mistress of Rome

Going off the Cover:


I would guess that this is the story of a muse of the Italian Renaissance artists. She is inspires everyone and everything, but takes a special interest in a particular artist, probably someone unknown to history.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Thea is a slave girl from Judaea, passionate, musical, and guarded. Purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea will become her mistress's rival for the love of Arius the Barbarian, Rome's newest and most savage gladiator. His love brings Thea the first happiness of her life-that is quickly ended when a jealous Lepida tears them apart. 

As Lepida goes on to wreak havoc in the life of a new husband and his family, Thea remakes herself as a polished singer for Rome's aristocrats. Unwittingly, she attracts another admirer in the charismatic Emperor of Rome. But Domitian's games have a darker side, and Thea finds herself fighting for both soul and sanity. Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a Vestal Virgin. But in the end, the life of the brilliant and paranoid Domitian lies in the hands of one woman: the Emperor's mistress. 

Did I Get Anything Right?

Well, not really. She's a slave. and becomes the plaything of some rich woman and her would be suitor falls for the slave. She then marries him and they are torn apart by spite. She then remakes herself as a free woman; a singer, and the emperor's mistress. Wow, leave me something to read why don't you synopsis writer.