madameblogalot

The Hollow Hills: I finished this second book in the Merlin trilogy this month. Again it was a good escape and I enjoyed reading the legend from Merlin’s point of view. I liked how the title resonated throughout the story. I would say this was a HIT for me.

The Last Enchantment: I also finished the last book in the Merlin trilogy this month. This part of the story did not captivate me quite as much and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I’m not familiar enough with the legend (I didn’t know about Merlin’s assistant-although my son did!) Or maybe it was all the editing errors in this edition. I find that so distracting. Although it’s a long book, there were several errors. I found it strange since I had been reading a large hard back copy which contained all three of the books in one edition (I did read The Crystal Cave in its own edition.) Overall, I still found myself wanting to get back to the story when I’d missed a couple of days. I guess I would rate it as a HIT too.

The City of Ember: My daughter and I watched this movie together. Although it was not outstanding, it was fun enough. My daughter liked the young girl who played in the movie. I thought the show was a little weird in spots but it was watchable and adventuresome enough for older kids. There was no bad language. And it did make me want to find the original book. So I guess that’s enough to make it a HIT for me.

Dancing at Lughnasa: I had never heard of this show before. Nor had I heard of the pagan holiday of Lughnasa. I was drawn into this version of the stage play put on by an area high school. I was impressed with the composure and maturity exuded by the young actors. And they did a pretty good job with the Irish accents as well. I found much of the show interesting and could relate to the character of the oldest sister maybe a little too much. I am not sure if the show is depressing or not. But I give this rendition a HIT.

Among the Impostors: This second book in the Shadow Children series is filled with mystery and plot twists. It is easy to read and easy to get absorbed into. My daughter was excited to get it from the library and finish it in just over an hour! Of course, then I had to read it! This story was also a HIT with me.

Among the Betrayed: Not much more than an hour after finishing the second Shadow Children book, my daughter finished this one and asked what the next one is! This book was a bit confusing at the beginning, as the story continues to twist and turn on itself. My daughter and I both found it a HIT.

The Wicked Day: I finished the last book in the Arthur series. This one has little to do with Merlin and finishes the story about Arthur and Mordred, again told from a different point of view from most Arthurian legends. I did not know much about the end of the saga so was interested in reading this. Though I am not sure where the differences lie in this retelling, the author states that she approaches the story telling it with a view as to why and how Mordred became Arthur’s bane and doom. I agree with the author in the fact that the way Arthur is portrayed in the end (of the legend) seems to nearly contradict what he had been before. I also learned that about the real Mordred, very little is said and that most of what is said about him in surviving legend is simply made up and romanticized (incidentally, that is the case too with the character Lancelot whose real name was Bediver or Bedwyn.) Again I was able to lose myself in the story. Overall, I guess I would call it a HIT as well.

The Other Side of Heaven: is a movie about a Mormon missionary to Tonga in the 1950s. The story was fine, interesting even. And the scenery breath taking. But there were some things I just questioned as to how accurate they were. I know Hollywood often takes liberties in these kinds of movies. But I questioned things like the clothes worn by the natives and how they got certain items. And the storm towards the end of the show was overdone. The show was neither a HIT or a MISS with me.

Among the Barons: This next in the Shadow Children series is again filled with mystery and plot twists. I really enjoyed this next installment of the story. I rate it as a HIT.

Among the Brave: Seems as if we are flying through this kids’ series.
This book made me think of the Nazis, Again, I like the twists in the story. I do wonder though how the adults all listen to the kids! At any rate, I still rate it a HIT.

The Screwtape Letters: The stage production of C.S. Lewis’ book is absolutely excellent! Max McLean did an outstanding job, as did Karen Eleanor Wright. I love the way the set was done. I would love to see this production again. This one was a big HIT with my entire family.

My dad called to tell me there is an upcoming Get Motivated seminar in our area. I had never heard of this before. So I checked out the website. Though it’s touted as business seminar, it seems to be a day of motivating speakers, learning how to get the best out of yourself and your daily interactions. It looks to be an eventful day filled with inspiring talks by Colin Powell, Sarah Palin, Lou Holtz, Zig Zigler and others. It sounds like they will really put on a show, utilizing pyrotechnics, live music and special effects. They say this is a seminar for everyone!

I just came across a video blurb for Raj Patel’s newest book The Value of Nothing. I have never read or heard anything put out by Patel, but I found the ideas presented in this new book to be very thought provoking.

Patel strives to bring out the ideas of over-consumption, something that I do believe most of us in modern America struggle with. I like how he juxtaposes the value we have placed on certain items, such as factories vs. forests and “value meals” vs. vegetables and fruits. Just from watching the video, I would be interested in the reading through the book to see what ideas he is really presenting. I don’t want to go to an extreme, say, where the trees or animals have more value than a human life, but I do think it’s time the pendulum gets balanced.

I think that it is time to re-evaluate where we all are in our lives, in history and what kind of legacy we want to leave those coming behind us. I don’t think that all of what has brought us here is evil, but I do think it’s important to see how we got where we are and how we can improve on areas that need improvement. I think that is part of learning. I tell my daughter that is exactly why we have to study history.

I know we will not be on this earth forever. I do believe it too will pass away. But as long as we are here I believe we are called to be the best stewards of it that we can be. I am going to check out the chance win a copy of this new book. It should at least provide some very interesting reading and some really good things to think about.

Today’s training called for a short swim, 21 minutes. I was glad for the “rest” since I was hurting after my hour on the elliptical machine last night. But I wanted to do something different. Usually I just swim a slow, steady pace lap after lap. I had talked to one lady who is now doing triathlons in her 60s! Her daughter had told her to increase her speed to swim four laps as fast as you can then rest. Well, I knew I couldn’t swim four laps fast, so I tried for two laps fast*, then a lap of breast stroke.

Wow! I was struggling after the first lap! But I did three sets of these. Then, I did on lap fast and a length breast stroke. I think I did four sets of those. After I was done I was glad. And if felt good to do something different. Since I had wanted to quit after that first set, I rewarded myself with five minutes in the hot tub after I finished!

*fast is a relative term. I just did my own version of “fast”. I am pretty sure it was faster than my regular stroke!

As I stated before, rodeo season is gearing up! The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is now just 35 days away. Though I have not talked to anyone personally who has already purchased  this year’s Houston Rodeo tickets , I have no doubt there are those who have! Many of the headline acts were announced earlier this month. Some of the big names include Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, The Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, and The Black Eyed Peas.

This line up is a far cry from the groups I used to see perform at the HLSR in the Astrodome. I remember seeing Anne Murray and The Oak Ridge Boys back in the day. Although I have taken my kids several times, I have not attended the concert and rodeo events since they’ve been moved out of the Dome.

But the HSLR still brings lots of fun for the whole family. There are lots of livestock to see, the pig races are always fun. Watching the littlest cowboys and girls in the stick horse rodeo is cute. There is lots to more to see and do at the HSLR. Check out the events calendar and concert lineup for full info.

One silly thing I have missed with my Mac is the Spider Solitaire game. I have searched to add one to my desk top but none really seem available. At any rate, I did find an online version at the AARP website. It’s ok. I have yet to win the double suit game. It has corny music which I can luckily turn off. But the biggest thing is that the cards are small. It seems that a card game at the AARP site should be, um, LARGE PRINT, if you know what I mean! Not that I’m getting old or anything. It’s just that larger cards would be easier to see. And if your target audience really is older people, well, you’d think they’d make it easier on all us those older people who want to hang around their website playing card games!

With January comes the first announcements of who will be headlining the local rodeo in March. The Livestock Show and Rodeo is a big deal here. And not just for the performers. Many of the people in our area really do want to see the rodeo! And there are quite a few who take part in the show and rodeo. I know a guy who used to be a rodeo clown. And lots of the kids here participate in riding events, calf roping, and showing the animals they have raised.

Those folks who follow the actual rodeo events will be pleased to know that the National Final Rodeo tickets are already on sale for December. Once you’ve attended your local rodeo, then you too might be hooked! To make sure you don’t miss out on the best in bull riding, steer roping and wrestling, bare back riding and bronc riding, barrel racing and all the other excitement the rodeo finals bring, be sure and stop by the NFR Tickets plaza to be one of the first in line for the tickets!

Are you a poet and you want the world to know it? The Poetry Coach has a great looking website that will allow the aspiring poet to gain the added insight to getting his/her work(s) published. The Poetry Coach has lots of experience in writing, reading, and teaching. This looks like the perfect place to get that extra punch! And just maybe you too will find yourself a published poet!

Have you heard about the newest punctuation? It is a punctuation to show that you are clearly being sarcastic. It has been termed the “sarcmark”. It is evident that when communicating through electronic devices, words and meanings can often be misunderstood. Most of the time, we temper these kinds of comments with “emoticons”. But now, trendsetters have come up with this sarcmark to make sure your reader understands that you are being sarcastic. I wonder what someone like Jock Stewart would have to say about the sarcmark. I don’t think he would be interested in spending the $1.99 to download, though he would be able to get a lot of use from that one little punctuation mark! Many of us smart mouths would be using that sarcmark constantly. And teens, well….

My only thought is that if you have to use a mark to point out your sarcasm, isn’t it kind of lost anyway? Kind of like having to explain a punchline….I wondered too what Jonathan Swift would write about using such an icon.

As part of yesterday’s Martin Luther King Jr.’s day of observance, there was a group of protestors gathering to speak out against Planned Parenthood’s largest center opening soon in Houston. Part of the protest was about the abortion services provided by the organization, while the other side of the argument stated the group was targeting minorities (based on the location of the new facility.)

I have long teetered between the services Planned Parenthood provides. I think we should all be cognizant of “planning parenthood” and know that everyone is not. I did find it interesting that the protestors say the center is targeting minorities.

I think that no matter what ethnic group you belong to, you should be able to have access to full disclosure of information regarding your health care and the options available. Sort of like the site I saw providing disclosure of yaz side effects. There are lots of women using these types of pills. Full testing is difficult with birth control pills. And these kinds of pills are not always used to prevent pregnancies (some girls use them to control acne.) No matter the case, I think that side effects should be made known to people using any product, no matter the ethnic group, no matter the socioeconomic group, no matter the place they are in life. It is imperative in cases like this that people be able to make an informed decision.