A question at a recent family reunion urged me to get back to my blog. I have read a book in the past two months , just not a classic.
I read Bear Gryll's autobiography and I really liked it. I'll write more when I'm not typing on an iPhone.
I'm currently reading Conquering the North Face but Hap Klopp. Already laughing and agreeing with his observations about business.
July 13, 2012
May 22, 2012
Jon McLaughlin--McLovers Contest Entry
A few weeks ago I created a post promoting Jon McLaughlin's new CD and tour, Promising Promises. The CD was released today! So excited to listen to it (right after I finish this entry and watch the finale of American Idol). Finally I finished my entry for the McLover's contest; it's a quilt...yes, that's right. I made a t-shirt quilt by using the promotional poster printed on iron-on fabric. I call it my Mini McLaughlin McLover's Quilt. It's four foot square and somewhat symmetrical. The thing about using t-shirts as fabric is that once you cut it, it rolls...and the older the shirt, the more it rolls (but the softer it is ;). But the great thing about quilts is that they are lovable precisely because they aren't perfect.
Below is the link to view my YouTube video submission for the contest. Note: I am not savvy at film editing nor do I particularly like taking videos of myself because I think it never looks like me, but I digress...you know what I mean ;)
What's at stake? A couple tickets to the Indianapolis show at The Vogue, a chance to meet Jon and a CD. Even if I don't win, it was fun to make the quilt and learn about the fabric I can print on (sweet projects in the future). As you'll see, I also offered to send Jon the quilt because I'm pretty sure my husband won't use it at home ;)
Here's a picture of the quilt; I also made a pillowcase to accompany the quilt; it's made from a western shirt--open the pillowcase like you open the shirt and voila!
May 6, 2012
A Plug for Promising Promises by Jon McLaughlin
Anyone who knows me well knows I love music, I love classical music, I love many different genres of music and I love Jon McLaughlin's music. My sister and I have tried to make it to as many local concerts when he's in Indianapolis since we saw him at Anderson way back in the day when our brother played ball there. I appreciate the piano-laden songs the most--anyone can synthesize their way through a song but not everyone can PLAY like Mr. McLaughlin--and it's so worth seeing him in concert.
So with this background in place, I'm using my blog as a marketing site today to say BUY JON'S NEW CD, PROMISING PROMISES! The title song, btw, is my favorite, a close second to Industry. He's also on tour this summer and I'm already looking forward to the concert at Conner Prairie. Wine, chocolate and good music (all while chilling outside)? Yes, please!
I've even decided to enter his contest (again, those who know me know I don't normally enter contests) so I can attempt to win two free concert tickets. Even now I'm working on my entry (soon to be posted on this blog). I'll wrap this up: buy his new CD, go to a concert and enjoy yourself! All the pertinent information is posted below:
Link to order Jon's new CD, Promising Promises: Jon's New CD
Link to Jon's site to check out stuff and see tour dates: http://www.jonmcl.com/
Link to the McLover's Contest (I'm almost ready to enter): McLover's Link
Jon's Picture (the Tour Poster was ginormous and so in lieu of that...)
So with this background in place, I'm using my blog as a marketing site today to say BUY JON'S NEW CD, PROMISING PROMISES! The title song, btw, is my favorite, a close second to Industry. He's also on tour this summer and I'm already looking forward to the concert at Conner Prairie. Wine, chocolate and good music (all while chilling outside)? Yes, please!
I've even decided to enter his contest (again, those who know me know I don't normally enter contests) so I can attempt to win two free concert tickets. Even now I'm working on my entry (soon to be posted on this blog). I'll wrap this up: buy his new CD, go to a concert and enjoy yourself! All the pertinent information is posted below:
Link to order Jon's new CD, Promising Promises: Jon's New CD
Link to Jon's site to check out stuff and see tour dates: http://www.jonmcl.com/
Link to the McLover's Contest (I'm almost ready to enter): McLover's Link
Jon's Picture (the Tour Poster was ginormous and so in lieu of that...)
The Great Gatsby
I'm back, more importantly, I finally read The Great Gatsby this weekend. First impression? I really appreciate Fitzgerald's imagery. I find it so much more fun as a reader to "see" every detail of the novel in my mind's eye. I'm also not a fan of Daisy at all--I think she's a tragic waif. Sounds harsh, doesn't it? Well, I agree with Nick by the novel's end that she and Tom are full of utter carelessness. I also found the novel full of tragic irony. It's Gatsby who gets it in the end, Tom and Daisy are off Scott-free (with the exception of what I hope are sleepless nights forever for Daisy's idiocy) and Wilson kills the only man who was probably ever nice to him when he stopped to get gas!
Last time I read this book was sometime between 7th and 10th grade...honestly I don't remember exactly. It's on the sophomore reading list at a local private school here (good to have teenage neighbors) but that entire time period in my life is fuzzy and nondescript (and it's OK to leave it that way). Of course I remember the general story and how can you forget Robert Redford's portrayal of Gatsby (sans the horrid Aquanet-hair circa 1974)?
What I realized is that I find this novel more appealing and parts of it more identifiable as an adult versus being a teen. I didn't go to parties in high school, so how was I supposed to find humor when someone got tanked and a woman ended up crying her heart out at karaoke? College was a different story. Like Nick, one of my more amusing pastimes in college was to be the silent observer at the parties...taking in the hilarity produced by imbibing an exorbitant amount of alcohol. The party descriptions in this novel are wonderful; I can almost imagine myself on the sandy beaches of Gatsby's mansion wearing chiffon and a cloche while sipping a gin and tonic. Sounds great about now, actually...
I would be lying if I didn't (like most everyone has at some time or another) admit that I've driven by enormous homes with amenities far and wide, wondering what it would be like to be on the guest list for a soiree on a Summer's eve. But also like Nick, I hope that my Mid-Western roots would be strong enough to ground me against the endless frivolity and carelessness of the uber-wealthy such as Daisy and Tom. Unfortunately, I would agree that at least in my life's experience I've found to be true more often than not that money doesnt' buy happiness and money doesn't guarantee manners or a conscience.
So now that I've re-read an American classic, I look forward to the re-make of the film out Christmas Day, 2012. I think Leo will be a convincing Gatsby, don't you?
Last time I read this book was sometime between 7th and 10th grade...honestly I don't remember exactly. It's on the sophomore reading list at a local private school here (good to have teenage neighbors) but that entire time period in my life is fuzzy and nondescript (and it's OK to leave it that way). Of course I remember the general story and how can you forget Robert Redford's portrayal of Gatsby (sans the horrid Aquanet-hair circa 1974)?
What I realized is that I find this novel more appealing and parts of it more identifiable as an adult versus being a teen. I didn't go to parties in high school, so how was I supposed to find humor when someone got tanked and a woman ended up crying her heart out at karaoke? College was a different story. Like Nick, one of my more amusing pastimes in college was to be the silent observer at the parties...taking in the hilarity produced by imbibing an exorbitant amount of alcohol. The party descriptions in this novel are wonderful; I can almost imagine myself on the sandy beaches of Gatsby's mansion wearing chiffon and a cloche while sipping a gin and tonic. Sounds great about now, actually...
I would be lying if I didn't (like most everyone has at some time or another) admit that I've driven by enormous homes with amenities far and wide, wondering what it would be like to be on the guest list for a soiree on a Summer's eve. But also like Nick, I hope that my Mid-Western roots would be strong enough to ground me against the endless frivolity and carelessness of the uber-wealthy such as Daisy and Tom. Unfortunately, I would agree that at least in my life's experience I've found to be true more often than not that money doesnt' buy happiness and money doesn't guarantee manners or a conscience.
So now that I've re-read an American classic, I look forward to the re-make of the film out Christmas Day, 2012. I think Leo will be a convincing Gatsby, don't you?
April 1, 2012
Intermission
I didn't read either The Great Gatsby or A Wrinkle in Time this month; I could list reasons for why I didn't read but that's not important really...
Much happened this month--many things that will change my next few months to make them busy and full of learning. I start a new job in a week and start a new class in a week as well. I'm excited and ready to learn. I'll be traveling more and meeting many new people.
So for now, I'm putting a pause on this blog--if you've read, thank you :)
Much happened this month--many things that will change my next few months to make them busy and full of learning. I start a new job in a week and start a new class in a week as well. I'm excited and ready to learn. I'll be traveling more and meeting many new people.
So for now, I'm putting a pause on this blog--if you've read, thank you :)
March 12, 2012
If by Rudyard Kipling
IF
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if/
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if/
March 7, 2012
C.S. Lewis
What does C.S. Lewis have to do with my reading selections this month? Nothing, really. It's just that I am finishing up reading Mere Christianity which he wrote several decades ago before I start my other selection. I like it. It's one of those books that makes you think; actually, it hurts to think when you read this book--but it's a good hurt. I will likely have to re-read it sometime as it's topic is rich and deals with the heart of matter--what does one really believe in?
Want to learn more about C.S. Lewis and Mere Christianity? Click on the links below.
C. S. Lewis
Mere Christianity
Want to learn more about C.S. Lewis and Mere Christianity? Click on the links below.
C. S. Lewis
Mere Christianity
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