SonicChicken blog

I’ve already written several posts on BookCrossing, my local library, some of the books I’ve read, etc. So I guess the next pastime that I’ll remark on is reading. This one will be a bit trickier because there are several related (but distinct) tags that I use for these topics.

BookCrossing is a very cool idea: You read a book, stick a seemingly random number on the flyleaf (along with the BX web address), and leave the book where somebody is liable to find (and read) it. They can then go to the BX web site, enter the number from the flyleaf, and write a journal entry about the book. Then they leave the book where somebody is liable to find (and read) it, et cetera, et cetera, and so forth. To see the books I’ve released or found or whatever, check out my BX bookshelf.

If you don’t want to leave a book “just lying around”, there are organized crossing zones set up especially to collect and disseminate BookCrossing books. In fact, one of my co-workers and I set up an OBCZ in the building where I work. I stop by every few days to see what people are dropping off or picking up, or maybe just to have a cup of coffee and chat. I also post news about the OBCZ here from time to time.

I’ve written several posts about the Sacramento Public Library, especially my neighborhood branch, the Arden-Dimick library at Watt & Northrop. Sometimes these are book-related, but I’ve also posted about the library’s web catalog, the community room, or non-book media such as DVD’s.

Finally, since I did use the “book” tag on this post, I should write about one of the books I’m currently reading: Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. I’ve only finished Volume I so far, which covers Pip’s childhood and apprenticeship. When I last closed the book, Pip was in a carriage bound for London. I hope to finish this soon so I can discuss it with Joseph, before he forgets all the details!

One of my numerous hobbies is boardgaming: getting together with family, friends, or total strangers to push bits of plastic around on a cardboard playing surface, and incidentally socializing with the aforementioned people.

Sacramento is blessed with a large number of boardgamers, but many of these folks don’t realize how many new people they could be meeting and playing against. One way to find potential players is to hang around in local game stores, such as Viking Hobby. An even better idea is to join the Sacramento Boardgames Meetup — These dedicated gamers get together at least once a week to socialize and play various games. (Disclosure: I’m the so-called Organizer of this group.) We’re currently meeting every Tuesday night at the Fox & Goose Public House, and we also arrange several other public and private events every month. Check our upcoming events for details.