book club – Sillyfrog's Blog

I am reading the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. It is the first nonfiction for our book club and I am facilitating it at our June meeting.

Psychology is, in the famous words of Mr. Spock, fascinating. This book is very well written. It is a gripping journey into our instinctual selves. The clip above, kept coming to my mind. If you didn’t know already, in my opinion, everything I need to know about life can be found in Star Trek. I couldn’t find the longer clip that I desired for this post. It goes on to have the Captain tell Spock that he is thrilled that Spock was willing to guess in order to guide the ship home safely. Spock is then told by Dr. McCoy that the captain trusts Spock’s guesses more than most people’s facts.

Many of us have disregarded our instincts in favor of study and contemplation. The book points out that our instincts, even when we cannot explain them, often can guide us better.

There are exceptions, especially when are psyche is drawing upon stereotypes. An interesting chapter deals with racial and gender stereotypes. Overall, the” judging a book by its cover”saying is put to the test over and over.

I have yet to finish the book but already recommend it to anyone who also has an interest in the human experience.

Random words by creativitygames.net.

bingle…candle…guide…vinegar…ladder

Here’s my story:

It was just a bingle. A bingle …Ha! Josie hadn’t heard that term since Little League. A bingle wouldn’t have made blood run down her forehead.

She was lying on the bathroom floor with a blood soaked towel on her head. Donna had told her that the collision with the cupboard door had been only a bingle. SHE WASN’T THE ONE BLEEDING TO DEATH.

Josie climbed the vanity like a ladder to get to her feet. Looking up was way too painful so she let the dried droplets on the floor guide her back to the kitchen. When she pushed through the swinging doors, the odor of vinegar stopped her as suddenly as the cupboard had done. A spilled bottle lay at her feet. The place was in shambles. Where was Donna? What had happened?

The last thing she remembers was having their book club meeting. The wine and cheese were both going down very well. She’d stayed up to read the remainder of “The Next Thing On My List” by Jill Smolinski the night before. It was a great read with a poignant message to keep trying new things. Josie never had a concussion before but she doubted that a concussion was on anyone’s list. She giggled at the thought then grabbed her head. Ouch!

“Donna?”

It came out like a whisper.

“Donna, yo Donna!”

The candle on the table was taking its last breath when Donna came in carrying a stack of books.

“Whoa…what happened to you?” Donna clearly had not remembered her “bingle”.

“I walked into the damn cupboard door. THAT’S what.”

“You Okay?”

Josie just waved at her and smiled.

” Better get you cleaned up. This kitchen needs first aid too. Book club is in an hour.”

Josie suddenly realized that her late night read had been the culprit. She’d been exhausted and regretted the Saturday morning book date because of the work load she’d had all week at the office. Wow…she’d hit her head and dreamed up the whole scenario while spending part of the night on the floor. She sighed and realized that this must be what crazy feels like. Now THAT was a new experience.

Josie shook it off and decided to forget the whole event. She was feeling better and Donna had a way of getting overly concerned.

“So, what book are we reading next, my friend?”

“Oh yeah, it’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Thought feeling crazy would be something new to try.”

Josie laughed and looked at the ceiling, “Let’s hurry and clean this place up. Think it’s too early for wine?”