Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on its evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evolving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
I finally finished "The Fall of Hyperion" by Dan Simmons. I finished the first book "Hyperion" seven years ago and instead of starting on the sequel novel, I went back to the first page and began reading it all over again. I'd never done that with a book before, but the novel really had such an impact on me. It took a few years to complete it a second time because often I would put it down, would read books on health, Mark Dice books, and I began reading a book on the Flying Tigers while I was in the hospital a few years ago. I finally finished it for the second time and began reading the sequel, "Fall of Hyperion." It's a bit different, and was a bit hard to understand. I put it down several times to read nonfiction, then get back to it. It's taken a few years. A week or so ago I had about 70 pages remaining, and slowly I would read it here and there. Some elements I was not satisfied with, while others I enjoyed. One thing that GAW members would appreciate is how the end of human civilization is thwarted when it is discovered that everyone has been deceived by a massive psy-op.
It's one of those books that has really impacted me upon completion. After the story that spans two novels, the character Brawne is waving farewell with tears in her eyes, knowing she will never see friends again.
It just reminds me of the farewells I've had, and the proper farewells I wish I'd had. Of the last time seeing friends at my college graduation and losing contact with them forever. Of the last time I hugged my mother before I moved my family back to Japan 12 years ago, knowing that I'd never see her again. Then she died just a few weeks later, and I was unable to fly back to America so suddenly to attend her funeral. Of the missed opportunity to talk to her one last time on the phone to tell her I loved her, because the next day she was no longer conscious. Of times when I'd learned of the death of friends afterwards and wishing I had said or done something.
This past year and a half, I spent effort tracking down some long lost friends through people-finding services. Many were happy to hear from me again. Others I did not have luck in finding. Letting them know that they matter to me. As for others, I hope to see them in Heaven someday.
So next I'll start reading George Orwell's "1984" as some on here have recommended.
Thanks for the recommendation and your heartfelt comment. I will go find this book.