Answers Once Again

Lesley wants to know:

Fave author? I don't think I've asked before BUT I distinctly remember ALL the 1000s of books you were going to organize. How did that turn out?

How about nicknames? Past or present or even what nickname you would give yourself and why...

Alright.... No. I have not organized the library yet. I am giving myself until the end of Summer to get it done. It is a major undertaking int he midst of all of the other things I am trying to accomplish. Although, every time I walk in there, my eye starts to twitch. It bugs me so bad to have the books all over the place that I may end up locking myself in there one day and just not coming out until I am done. Really.

Favorite author? You've got to be kidding me. Ummmm.... well, see.... the thing is that I love SO MANY authors and books that picking just one may be impossible. I really really really love most books. ummm..... OK. I think my favorite author would be one that I read again and again and again. One whose books I replace periodically as I read them to rags. So, amongst the many authors I love, Robert Heinlein would have to be my favorite.

I own and have read most of his many books. I have had to replace my copies of Time Enough For Love, Stranger In A Strange Land, Beyond The Sunset and The Cat Who Could Walk Through Walls at least twice. I have a burning NEED to own every single book or short story that the man ever wrote. Granted, most of his work is dated. That's because most of it was written in the 50s - 70s. But, his IDEAS are not dated. His words are powerful. His philosophy is fresh and fantastic. All of his stories are entertaining and fun. Stranger in a Strange Land is one of the only ones that seems to really "preach" or "teach". I reread that book once every six months. And I read most of the other ones that I own once a year or so.

Here are some of my fave quotes from some of his books:

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  Sex should be friendly. Otherwise stick to mechanical toys; its more sanitary.
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  The three-legged stool of understanding is held up by history, languages, and mathematics. Equipped with these three you can learn anything you want to learn. But if you lack any one of them you are just another ignorant peasant with dung on your boots.
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  Yield to temptation; it may not pass your way again.
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  Most people can't think, most of the remainder won't think, the small fraction who do think mostly can't do it very well.
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  If you don't like yourself, you can't like other people.
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  Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.
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  Of all the strange "crimes" that human beings have legislated out of nothing, "blasphemy" is the most amazing, with "obscenity" and "indecent exposure" fighting it out for second and third place.
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  Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
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  A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.
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  Sin lies only in hurting others unnecessarily. All other “sins” are invented nonsense.
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  A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
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  Courage is the complement of fear. A man who is fearless cannot be courageous. (He is also a fool.)
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  What this world needs more of is loving: sweaty, friendly and unashamed.
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  A man does not insist on physical beauty in a woman who builds up his morale. After a while he realizes that she is beautiful--he just hadn't noticed it at first.
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  Men are more sentimental than women. It blurs their thinking.
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  May you live as long as you wish, and love as long as you live.
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  I've found out why people laugh. They laugh because it hurts... because it's the only thing that'll make it stop hurting.
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  Growing closer is a goodness.
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  Morality is your agreement with yourself to abide by your own rules.

As far as nicknames go.... I was called Grace when I was young, because I had none. I don't really think I have had any other nicknames. At least not that I can think of off the top of my head. My friend Chelle calls me her Hot Mama. Does that count? LOL DH calls me his "XXX Psycopath" (from a song). Oh yeah!! My friend in HS called me Piglet. No idea why. Other than the fact that I called her Pooh.....

Nicknames have never been a big thing for me. I am Tracy. And that is enough for me.

More answers tomorrow!