--before I really knew anyone. Lunch just ended, so I was on my way back to pre-algebra, and I held the door open for whoever was behind me. Since everyone was coming at the same time, I ended up holding the door for most everyone else, but I didn't really mind. I mean, I wasn't going to let go, because, with my luck, the door would smack someone in the face, maybe break his or her nose, or somehow break my own nose (my luck, I'm telling you!). As I am (finally) going to my seat, this girl said something that I've always remembered. I guess it was supposed to be advice, but it had the opposite effect on me. She said that she used to be nice like me, too, but when you're nice like that, people just walk all over you. Knowing her, she was saying to no go out of my way for other people because they'll end up taking advantage. Maybe she was right. But I reacted the opposite way. I was fine with the idea of being people's doormat. In fact, I almost wanted to be someone's doormat. I figured, as long as I know, as long as I am allowing people to use or take advantage of my small favors, it would be okay. Because I was letting them, I was in control, and I could stop whenever I felt it was too much. So I guess her advice helped in a way. I don't know where I was going with this. I guess, nine years later, it's starting to take its toll. But I don't want to stop - actually, I don't think I could stop, because I would feel too guilty. I don't think that I've done a good job of the whole doormat thing necessarily, but oh well, whatever.
reading Fear Nothing two weeks ago, so here's the review [SPOILERS]:
What started out as seemingly body-snatchers average-Joe-with-rare-disease-turned-spy mystery was really... killer monkeys VS surf bums and radio disk jockeys. Chris Snow, the protagonist, has XP, a rare disease in which his DNA cannot repair itself after sun damage, which means any sunlight exposure can cause cancer and it always adds up, so he's not expected to live long. So his mad scientist mother goes to work for the government in a base that was supposed to be closed, combining bad and good DNA. She's really trying to cure him, but the government wants to use it to create a super-army. Of course, this is tested on research monkeys, or rhesuses. Aww, aren't the cute? Yes, until they eat your face. The DNA mutated (like this, not like this) and the monkeys became just as intelligent as humans. This basically pissed them off because they knew what they were capable of, but could never do. Apparently, before anyone realized, or maybe they just didn't care, they started experimenting on humans, trying to give them super strength. Instead, the humans reverted to their animal instincts, turning super disturbingly violent at nighttime.
I was very tempted to stop reading when I got to the killer monkeys. But I gave Dean Koons the benefit of the doubt, and kept on, thinking maybe there was more. Oh, there was more alright: super-genius household pets and people who talk to them, including the main character's dog. I don't know how I finished the book. But I did, and it ended with a battle between the grudge-holding first batch of research monkeys and a deranged infected man as their leader, and Chris, his best friend and girl friend. But... they only killed the killer monkeys. The human-infecting virus was still spreading like ebola and would eventually turn the whole world into savages.
AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER. One critic said that Fear Nothing will make you fear everything, but it just makes me fear other Dean Koons books... But The Husband and The Good Guy were SOOOOOOOOOOO good!! So I will keep reading... But first, I'm going to read Spindle's End.
