madameblogalot

Hamlet (film, Mel Gibson): When I was going to have my son read Hamlet this year, my husband suggested this movie, and he would watch with us. If my husband was suggesting Shakespeare and was going to watch with us, you bet I was going to give it a go! The movie was fine for me and my husband. My son was a bit bored, so he said, but didn’t mind watching the end before we could get back to it. I enjoyed it as much as I could. I didn’t realize how many quotes are in this story. I also laughed at several lines-not sure if that is how they are intended or that is just Gibson’s delivery. Overall, I guess this version would be neither a HIT or MISS, though I thought it was good enough.

A Short History of a Small Place: This story had a unique perspective. While I enjoyed the overall story, the language was a big detraction for me. And being told in so many flashbacks lost me part of the time in the story. The flashback would go on so long that I would forget what was going on in the present story! Every time I would think the book just might be a HIT, I would decide not. And just when I thought I’d have to list it as a MISS, it would have me laughing out loud. So I guess I will rate it as neither a HIT or MISS.

The Lost Symbol: This is my first time to read a Dan Brown novel. I was intrigued by the movie Angels and Demons I saw a few months ago, so when I saw this book at Goodwill, I thought I’d give it a try. While some of the ideals and “messages” were a MISS with me (as was some of the language), the story was good. I enjoy stories that incorporate a little history, a little mystery, a little thought provoking ideas and this one seemed to have all those elements. I finished it in less than a week. I will vote the story a HIT.

The Bible As/In Literature: I finished reading this textbook that I am using for one of my son’s courses. It is interesting and provides some interesting insights through the questions and activities at the end of each reading. I would rate this one as a HIT as far as textbooks go.

Reader’s Digest: My husband subscribed me to Reader’s Digest last month as a gift. Our whole family has always enjoyed this magazine. While I have not really read every article in it yet, I still rate it as a HIT.

What does it take to maintain motivation? How long can a driving force drive you? What if that force no longer does the driving? How do you keep moving one foot in front of the other when you really don’t think you want to? It sure seems tough to keep motivation…

On my son’s 18th birthday, one of the gifts I gave him was a book in which I’ve been writing letters to him. I started it a couple of weeks before he was born and that first year I wrote each month. After that it was every so often and then each year on his birthday. (I have done/do the same for my daughter.) I enjoyed staying up late the night before his birthday this year writing the last entry and reading the whole thing cover to cover. He was touched when he opened it (and he knew what it was when he saw it.) I hope he enjoys reading it and can get a glimpse of how I feel about him/ what I hope and dream for him and his future.

In the past I read a book called Politically Correct Bedtime Stories. I found it rather humorous. But lately, I heard that Huck Finn is now going to be redone in a politically correct manner. The article states that only one version is going to be edited, replacing the “n” word with “slave”. The term “injun” is also slated to be replaced (with what, I don’t know.) Hasn’t this been done before? Or was it just banned in certain places?

I have mixed feelings when it comes to “censorship”. Having these things edited in general for everyone in the public I don’t think that is a good idea. I do think parents have the responsibility to guide and guard children until they are ready to handle certain situations and ideas. In today’s time, is editing Huck Finn going to help anything? I mean there is so much filth we are mired in that is editing these two terms in one edition going to solve anything? I don’t use these terms nor do I think they are appropriate terms, but that is not the point of the book. (Is it the point of the editing?) And are we going to edit every piece of literature that uses them? As demeaning as the terms are, they do depict an era of our history. We cannot deny that no matter how much we try to strike words from our texts.

So, is this just an “updated version” for today’s readers, like they do with so many stories? Is this censorship? Is this the elitists telling me what is best for me? Lots of different tangents on this one….

My dad said I needed to write the date down somewhere today. I was hoping we would play Scrabble and write it on our letter rack (aka “pew”) which we have written all over throughout the years. But, we did not get to the game and I thought a blog post title would have to suffice.

I will join my friend Marathon Bird in a bloggy look back at 2010. Here are the first lines of blog posts from each month of last year:

January-“The kids opened their time capsules from the year 2000.”

I had forgotten about that until I looked back at that blog post. What fun!!

February-“Since I have my orthotics now, I had to get some neutral fit shoes to accommodate them.”

A few good words about a local running shoe store. Not a paid ad. Just good old fashioned home town service.

March-“February was a busy month, but not for reading or movie watching.”

February was so busy as we were gone to Singapore to celebrate Chinese New Year with my sister and friends!!

April-“Hachiko: I saw this movie in flight home from our recent trip.”

I think most month’s first posts are my HIT or MISS lists.

May-“The Prodigal God: Can’t decide if this one is a HIT or MISS.”

…looks like it….

June-“I had been looking for a part time job to help supplement some of the things our kids want to do.”

This was about updating my resume. It was hard for me to do, having mostly done odd jobs or work at home jobs over the past several years. Thankfully, I’m still qualified (?) to babysit.

July-“I don’t know why but over the last few days I was unable to access this website.”

That’s so frustrating!

August-“I have always been a proponent of educational toys.”

And I still am!

September-“I have been officially released to start trying things again, following my surgery earlier this summer!!”

It’s been a slow process for me, but seeing that I was only released four months ago makes me feel better about where I am in my training. I guess….

October-“Recently I had to buy ink cartridges for my printer.”

And it’s expensive! (This one was an ad)

November-“It’s not too early to start Christmas shopping.”

I like the early approach. And I like homemade and recycled gifts.

December-“Our Town: I have been wanting to see this play since I read the script a year or two ago.”

Another HIT or MISS list.