Since I haven't blogged in abit...

...I thought I'd just toss this in as it sort of tells quite a lot,---nah, really I did it due to this email:

On Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 6:33 PM, Axxxx Bxxxxxx wrote:

Oh, do! I'm sure the occasional passer-by would love to have the visual of slimy green caterpillars crawling up out of your lungs! (this is my sister, bers. We email quite frequently. Well, frequently when we aren't in gtalk--she is a brilliant blogger and I often mention how I should post after reading something wonderful she has done. I will not link to her blog here as I would not want my utter lack of couth to reflect poorly on her shining example of what a blog should be. Please note however, she is thinking of all of you...occasional passers-by.

Proceed at your own risk)

On Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 6:23 PM, deb sxxxxxxx <onexxxxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:

DUDE!!! I just totally watched the episode where he used the broadsword on the side of beef!!! There are three shows per disc--not bad. I do like the library! (Here I am responding to bers's response to my mentioning I am currently watching Connections--a BBC documentary with James Burke made in the 1970s. I'm watching series 3-4-5-6 which I obtained from my local library. I was incorrect however, on the number of episodes--t he correct number is TWO per disc, not three. There is a newer series (same name/same guy)which I don't think I recommend-I checked it out a year or so ago and recall not being very fond of it.. Which leads to my liking the library--I really do like the library. I go once a week. I primarily borrow DVDs galore (yes, usually documentaries, British series, Jamie Oliver and Good Eats) & cookbooks. Serious fun!)

I think I'm going to rest too. Next week will be crazy with work...and then off to Walt Disney World! I'll have to work on the planes, but that's not so bad, at least no one will interrupt me :) I don't have anything going on this weekend...so lots of rest and I bought some yummy juice! (I do have many details to take care of with my work. Many of which I'd like to accomplish next week. On the plane I will enter notes that need to be entered whilst watching a DVD. I actually love interruptions--so much so that if I'm working on my contact notes in my office I create them all by myself. Seriously...not a good idea. I nearly ALWAYS work on my contact notes anywhere besides my office. Yes, I am going to Walt Disney World. Yes I am excited. Yes, I will be more excited when I am feeling well again. Oh, the juice really is yummy too. It's apple/cherry--try some!)

Do keep me posted. I like the B12 idea...that could help with your energy level too! Eat green things!!! (Don't we all need a little more B12??? And seriously, green things are YUMMY!! Bring on the broccoli and brussels sprouts!!! Sadly...there is no B12 in any fruits or veggies, but milk has some!)

I am a bit concerned...if I have a down turn on the weekend my doc is out on Monday. I do have antibiotics--but they are the really strong stuff for if I come down with the bronchial business that creates pretty green caterpillars that crawl out of my lungs. (as noted, I haven't been feeling well--pretty wonky actually. No fever or greenies...but not right in the least. I'm currently resting on the couch with Connections and an occasional email and now you. This paragraph is, as you saw above the spark for this rather unorthodox blog post.

My concern is due to my inability to take antibiotics willy-nilly. I become seriously outraged to hear of folks taking antibiotics without true need of them or (I think this might be worse) to begin taking antibiotics and then stop just because they feel better. SERIOUSLY!!!!! Do they NOT know about drug resistant bacteria?????!!!!!???? This can sometimes be a bad thing...I'll wait to make sure I'm really unwell--like so ill I can hardly move. Yah, I know. Brilliant.)

I should blog something--anything---what a descriptive email....perhaps I should just post it! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA (ha ha is right. what is it about sisters anyway. I just HAD to do it after she sent that mail! Ah well...to those of you still reading I do have a number of real posts to come. Time seemed to get away from me as I prepared for the Dallas trip--there will be a meager post there since it is where this wonkiness all began.)

To rest on the couch now. (yup, resting. Though I think a cough drop is in order...and perhaps some water for tea...)

: )

(I thought I'd include my signature...I like my quotes. I absolutely believe in adventure and this quote defines it perfectly for me. I'm also a huge fan of justice...and that quote reminds me of it's importance in our world that lacks accountability.

Do you have an email signature? If you do...what is it and why did you choose it for all the world to see???)

--
http://ocm1.blogspot.com

"And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure." --Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

"Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful."--CS Lewis

Book: Night by Elie Wiesel

I'm not sure how I stumbled across this little book. Actually, I think it was mentioned on a podcast discussing another book, Deathly Hallows (which I'm sure I'll discuss here later). The discussion had turned to the Ministry of Magic and the comparisons that could be drawn between what was happening in that book and what actually occurred in Nazi Germany. Yes...I think that's it. Not that it's actually relevant, but hey-it's my blog :)

This is book one of three in the Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel. The author was born in Sighet now a part of Romania in the Transylvanian region. It is an area that has been claimed by both Hungary and Romania over the years. While growing up there, Sighet was primarily a Jewish community and in 1944 the people were transported out of their town into Poland to the Nazi concentration camps.

This is an autobiographical book about the author being sent to and the time he spent at Auschwitz. After a little research I've discovered the story was initially written in Yiddish in a much longer form. The author condensed the original into this shorter version first in French in 1955 or 56 (I'm not sure). I read an Avon Discus edition published in 1969 with 127 pages. I found this copy in the fiction section of the used book shoppe.

It did not take long to read this book, yet it is overflowing with emotion and detail. It was not overly graphic, rather the accounts of events are very concise. The author is very frank when speaking about his faith...what it looked like before and how it changed during his stay in the concentration camp. It is moving...

Last summer I visited Terror Haza (the Terror House) in Budapest, Hungary. The photographs and very graphic portrayal of the deportation seen there are forever in my memory...while reading this story, those were the images in my head.

I'm not sure if this is subject matter I ever say I "enjoy"...I do however, recommend this book.

Bottom Line: Keeper-in my library.



Important Side Note: I just found out this book is recommended by Oprah's Book club. (this is me rolling my eyes) I do not EVER choose to read anything because Oprah says so...in fact, what she says usually sends me in the opposite direction--immediately. Don't let this deter you...the book was good long before Oprah thought so.

Book: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

I borrowed this book from my friend Carol who recommended it, though my my friend Marie was the first to praise this novel and insist I would enjoy it way back in 2006...I just failed to pick it up until now. :(

The book is of the adult fiction genre with 656 pages (I believe). As the title indicates, there is quite a bit of history in this novel, though it is a fictional tale. The main character is the teenage daughter of a historian. She stumbles across a very strange book in their library...when she asks her father about it the journey begins.

I particularly enjoyed this book for the wonderful way the author describes the various places across Western & Central Europe that are visited. Particularly how the are described in context to the story/time period of the story. I'm no expert...but things appear to be quite accurate as the setting is prior to the fall of communism.

Another reason I found this one especially intriguing...the subject under the history...what these characters are searching for: the tomb of Vlad Tepes, the Impaler: the actual, real, once live resident of the Wallachian region in Romania, often referred to as Dracula.

Don't misunderstand. This is not a "vampire novel" similar to Bram Stoker's or Anne Rice's...this is a story about Vlad Tepes and where his tomb is/was. I'll leave the out the why...for those of you who choose to pick this one up (which you should). It is not about the vampiric deeds done by the undead, rather more about the life of the man and the clash of cultures during the time he lived.

I found the writing style to be rather "slow" and the pace of the book steady. The story is very enjoyable and the characters are developed well for this novel. They are not the focus, per se. It is more about what brought them to this story and how it is going to play out. The mystery is there and the reader can unfold it as the book continues, which is a lot of fun. The book isn't scary. There are points where I wasn't quite sure what would happen...but no gore or horrific elements.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I loved reading about places I've been and places I'm planning to go. The historical elements seem to be well researched and were intriguing. I highly recommend it!

Bottom Line: When I stumble across a nice copy of this one in a used book shop, it will be in my library!

Book: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

This is a Newberry Honor Book. I'm not sure what that even means. (Amber??? Amber???)

I have read a number of Hiaasen's books in the past...older ones. When this came out I figured I'd pick it up when it was in the used book shop. I've enjoyed most of the other's I've read by him--Native Tongue, Strip Tease.

I think it's safe to say this will be the last Hiaasen book I read.

I may re-read some of the older ones...someday.

This book is rather typical for the author: a mystery type story set around some sort of social issue. This time, the environment. All in all, not a horrible thing. My issue is this: the book is sort of a switch and bait...it draws you in with promises of reading about the new kid in town and his adventures and then inundates the reader with an eco-terrorism/corporate cover up subplot which sort of overruns the original story.

I didn't hate this book...but I also wouldn't say it is good. It is very simplistic compared to other books I've read geared for this age group. If asked...I wouldn't recommend it.

If the style sounds intriguing to you, pick up one of his older novels...greater character development, a little more intrigue.

Bottom Line: Going back to the book shoppe along with the last adult Hiaasen I read, Sick Puppy.

Book: Quidditch Through The Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp

Here is the second of the two Harry Potter school books that were published to support Comic Relief, U.K. between Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix.

This one is not required reading, however. The book details the development and history of Quidditch, the wizarding sport; including the evolution of the broomstick, other sports attempted on broomsticks and current rules and regulations.

This book is a replica of the copy in Madame Pince's library at Hogwarts-including a copy of borrowers card in the front.

I found this book quite entertaining. It is short with 56 pages including some with drawings or diagrams. A very easy read full of supplemental information to the main Harry Potter books. If you have not had the pleasure of reading them, I do not recommend this book as it would seem completely absurd out of the context of the wizarding world. If you are a HP fan and have not yet read through this--what are you waiting for???

Bottom Line: In my library with the rest of my Harry Potter collection!

Book: The Pilgrim's Regress by C.S. Lewis

This is one of C.S.Lewis's early works (1933) and is not a fast paced fantasy nor is it an overtly theological discussion. It is an allegory.

I've never read Bunyan's tale of the Pilgrim's Progress so I cannot make a comparison. What I can say is this book surprised me in the end. It was a slower read for me requiring a little thought and recalling of other philosophers and ideologies of the 20th century.

For me it was well worth it. Here I am living in 2008-seventy-five years after this book was published and it fits. Of course things continue to change through time, but our civilization still falls back to the same ideologies time and again.

I was struck also by the journey the main character takes. I do believe that often what we seek most is just what we run from the quickest. Does this make sense, probably not. Is this my final thought? Yes.

This was another smaller book-199 pages in my paperback edition. I felt the pace was slower, but there is information to process. I recommend this book. It is easy to follow and if there is something that doesn't click---there is always Google search!

Bottom Line: In my library!

: )

Book: Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

So...this is one of the two Harry Potter books that were published to support Comic Relief, U.K. between Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix.

This is a required book beginning in the first year at Hogwarts. I read it after I finished the series and enjoyed it quite a lot. There is la good deal of information about all the creatures that one comes upon in the wizarding world. This is a reproduction of Harry's actual textbook and includes all the writing inside done be he, Ron and Hermione.

It was a super quick read-42 pages. If you don't know anything about the world of Harry Potter, I don't recommend reading this. If you do, well, I'd imagine you've picked it up already...if not, you should. There isn't any new "story" but the facts are fun!

Bottom Line: In my library for good!

Interesting side note...this is a spoiler---stop reading now if you haven't read through book seven...Luna Lovegood marries this fellow's grandson...Rolf later in life!